The world is waiting for what you have
“The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives.” ~Albert Schweitzer. The world is waiting for what you have. …
Tipping tips: Answers to your questions
“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give …
Ideas, options, and decisions!
Ideas are a dime a dozen. I have dozens of them rolling around in my brain almost 24/7, and you do, too. I’ve …
The first 65: Ecclesiastes is right!
If I have discovered one thing in 65 years, Ecclesiastes 3 is spot on: There is a time and a season for everything. Seasons come and go, and they tend not to linger. But the bottom line is: Don’t let the old man in.
Managing Your Money: 7 Things to Know About Your Money
“Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you want, but it won’t replace you as the driver.” ~ Ayn Rand When …
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Legacy: Memories of character and faith
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away. ~Unknown. My mom …
Good news: Stupid is built into the plan
“Stupid is built into the plan.” ~Pastor Randy Harvey. At some point in your life, Chip, you realize that everything doesn’t depend on you. …
Choice: The defining element in your journey
“…choose you this day whom ye will serve…” ~Joshua 24:15. By the time you read this, you will already have made several thousands …
Come on, STOP evading the question!
Stop evading the question: What do you actually want with your one wild, terrifying, unpredictable, and tragically short life? I’m glad that John’s …
You get to send ONE message: What is it?
What is your message? You’ve got one shot! There’s something burning inside of you that everyone needs to know, hear, or understand. One …
Disappearing Act: The remarkable getaway
Disappearing is not isolation. Disappearing is about building a moat around the castle of your life and choosing what comes in and out. In the first …
Landmines: Avoiding the things that derail us
There will always be fires and storms and dragons, especially the ones you don’t see coming. ~John Delony. Sometimes, we are our own worst …
Life shouldn’t be a chore: Here’s how to live, smile and laugh again
Most people die at 25, but aren’t buried until 75. ~Benjamin Franklin. Later this year, my mom will have been gone for five …
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We have become the best arsonists of our time
Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important. ~Charles E. Hummel I was home alone on Saturday. Elizabeth was …
Mindset shift: Managing your money
Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver. ~Ayn Rand. …
Are you building a résumé or a legacy?
Are you building a strong résumé or preparing to leave a lasting legacy? ~Mark Sanborn. Legacy is important. It is not what you are. …
Community: Live longer and prosper
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. ~African proverb. Would you like to add …
Fanatical Consistency: Follow the path of successful people
Successful people do consistently what other people do only occasionally. ~Craig Groeschel. We all are consistent — with something. It’s that something that makes …
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Consistency: Stepping stones to where you want to be
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ~Aristotle. Look, we’re all good at being consistent. …
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Doing isn’t everything. Today, just BE
We can get so wound up in goals that we forget that the little things make big waves. I’m learning more and more …
Reading List 2024: New, improved and expanded
The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read. ~Mark Twain. We’ve got you covered if you’re …
Choose wisely: Your Word for 2024
Words matter! And a single word can make a difference in your 2024. Successful leaders and many scriptures throughout the Bible caution us …
On life, boundaries, listening and talking to yourself
A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one. ~George R.R. Martin. Reading has become an …
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Quality time now means quality decisions for 2024
“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra. Most of us spend minutes planning for …
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7 crucial things to do before the new year
“Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” — Dwight Eisenhower The new year is upon us. Have you thought much about it? Where is …
Choose wisely: You get what you look for
The more I get to know people, the more I realize why Noah only allowed animals on the boat. You attract what you …
Seeing the Unseen: Based on a true story
Transformation happens when we invest in others. Do you feel like you are unseen? Forgotten? Left out? We have all experienced those moments, …
The Growing Divide: There’s more than meets the eye
Things are not what they seem. This is a world at war. ~John Eldredge. John Eldredge didn’t make that quote this week. He …
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Christmas 2023 Gift-Giving Guide
DOWNLOAD YOUR 2023 CHRISTMAS GIFT-GIVING GUIDE. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And it’s less than three months away. Do you …
Take action: The antidote for your challenge
“It’s not where you start; it’s where you finish that counts.” ~Zig Ziglar. It ain’t over ’til it’s over. And there’s one-fourth of …
It’s time to start talking to yourself
When was the last time you said something nice? About yourself? To yourself? Think about this: You’ll never talk to anyone as much …
Focus on your team: Lessons from a legend
John Wooden was known as the Wizard of Westwood. He coached UCLA to ten consecutive men’s college basketball titles and is one of …
Stress reducers: Change your life
Life can come at you hard, and it can come at you often. But here are some keys that can help you unlock …
9 emotions and 9 responses
We often get stuck when we encounter various emotions. And, yes, it’s easy to become paralyzed at a crossroads or get frustrated with …
Time Suckers that Steal from you
As you may know, I left social media in the summer of 2023. It’s not the only time sucker I have eliminated, but …
Start fresh: 15 ways to retrain your brain
Over the past few months, I’ve begun to retrain my brain — again. That means changing beliefs, boundaries, and actions. And it means …
Pre-decision: The best decision you can make today
“…choose for yourselves this day…” ~Joshua 24:15 (NIV). Life is a series of decisions. We make more than 35,000 decisions every day. That …
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Standing out: Be more than average
We all have an enemy called average. It doesn’t matter where you are in life. Your job, your finances, your mission, your house …
Today’s Inspiration: Invest in yourself. It pays dividends
Deion Sanders says, “Something’s wrong with a plant that doesn’t grow, isn’t it? So everything should grow. Everything should progress. Everything should yield returns.” …
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Today’s Inspiration: Your record for bad days is perfect!
Face it. You’re going to make it! There are days, situations, and encounters that we dread, put off, and “know” we won’t make …
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Today’s Inspiration: Come alive, and go do more of that!
The world needs people who have come alive, so what makes you come alive? What excites you to the point that you lose …
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Today’s Inspiration: Live intentionally and with a purpose.
When you live on purpose, you will not have to chase opportunities. They will find you. ~Ken Coleman. Are you living intentionally? Do …
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Respect the game: It’s how you play that matters
“It’s not whether you win or lose. It’s how you play the game.” ~Grantland Rice. My oldest son was preparing for a college …
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Happy Mother’s Day: What my Mom taught me
Happy Mother’s Day to my mom, Eloise Morton Bailey. She died in 2019 before all the Coronavirus craziness started. Until then, she was …
Forgotten values: Remembering a simpler time
Have the times changed, or have people changed? Or is it a little bit of both? Technology changes, media changes, industries change, opinions vary, and politics change, but when we wander aimlessly away from basic tenets and values, aren’t we wandering away from truth and principle? There are principles, and there are preferences.
Decision Fatigue: Stop the delay, move on with life
We all do it. We decide not to decide. And that’s a decision that adds more to the load. What are you putting off? So get on with it, will ya? Here’s how to make the decision.
Little-known, odd facts about Easter
Like many holidays, Easter has become a commercial giant. The National Retail Federation says consumers will spend about $24 billion this Easter season. …
Get rid of the handcuffs: It’s all in your head
Many things can limit you, hold you back, and keep you from becoming what God has intended you to be. But the one with the biggest handcuffs is you and me. It’s all in your head — and mine! You can decide to stay where you are, or you can choose to go through it. Either way, it’s a choice.
Celebrate the good times: Observe, remember and revel
On July 25, 2019, we got the news: “No cancer! They got it all.” Obviously, we were delighted with the news on …
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Mind loitering: What are you still tolerating?
They nip at you like a chihuahua grabbing at your pants’ legs. They hang around like the gnatty gnat aggravating you. What are …
Breakthrough the rubble: Stop getting ready to get ready
Got a big goal this year? Haven’t started the journey yet? Maybe it’s time to take the plunge. Stop getting ready to get …
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Basic ingredients for 2023: Stupid simple ideas for success
There was a lot to learn in 2022. Failures, successes, tragedy, loss, change, and adjustment. But as Maxwell says, “Sometimes you win, sometimes …
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Your word: Put some life in your new year
What is your word for 2023? Don’t have one? Think it’s trite, silly, or you say, “what’s the use”? Keep reading. Finding your …
2023 reading list: Go for growth and thrive
As the years go by, I enjoy reading more and more. Obviously, the Bible is the leading book we read, but people often ask what we’re reading.
Here’s a rundown that includes current reads, as well as my all-time classics.
Finish strong in ’22: It ain’t over ’til it’s over
Still got some things to finish up in 2022? Great, because you still have time to finish strong.
You have two months to put the cap on the best year of your life, so stop fretting and just pull the trigger.
You can do this!
Missed experiences: What’s really important?
It’s incredible the people you meet when you take the time. But I also wonder who I miss because I get in a hurry. How about you?
The civil conversation: A thing of the past
Civil conversation seems like a thing of the past. It wasn’t long ago that you could talk about religion, politics, or life without …
The Big Tradeoff: Exchanging good for great
Everything is a trade-off. You must leave something behind to get to where you want to go. As the old saying goes about …
Timely check-up: How well do you think?
The very poor think day to day.Poor people think week to week.The middle class thinks month to month.The rich think year to year.The …
Powerful reminders: 5 scriptures to live by
In a day when new books, new fads, and new tools abound and yell at us in ads, emails, and social media, it’s always a good reminder that we have our roots in one book, one fad, and one tool: The Bible. Here are five powerful reminders in a world of chaos, divisiveness, and endless crazy.
Change of focus: Where are you showing up?
It’s not only about how you show up. In recent weeks and months, I’m learning it’s just as important where you show up. Where, because that determines how you show up. Think about that.
It’s a slight change of focus that can be a game-changer.
Money 101: It’s time to be ruthlessly shrewd
There comes a time in every season to get real. Now is the time, especially when it comes to your money. When times …
Change your life: Eliminate these words
Words kill; words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. Proverbs 18:21 (The Message). It’s time to eliminate some words from our …
Read this now: Slow down to speed up
Everything is not on fire. Now is the time to slow down. And we can slow down to speed up. In a world that tells us we must speed up and keep up, slowing down is essential.
Get some tips here.
Ask, don’t tell: Amazing mindset shift that will change relationships
People like to talk about themselves, so why not give them the opportunity?
Here’s a philosophy that will take the spotlight off you and put it onto them.
Ask. Don’t tell.
22 valuable things I’ve experienced this year
Life teaches you a lot. Now, what you learn from it is another story. Doors close, others open, people come in and out of your life, and things change. But you can start fresh every day.
Here are some things I learned during the first half of the year.
Inflation: Simple tips to save money, gain peace of mind
Inflation and the summer are here for a while. Most of us are scurrying to lower costs and save money from the highest inflation in 40 years, so I’ll cut right to the chase. Don’t scoff: Every little bit may help, especially in the long run.
If you’re serious about saving money and increasing efficiency, read on: There are some helpful ideas here.
It’s mind-boggling: The devastating loss of trust
It’s an endless, vicious cycle of America’s institutions jockeying for position. The TV elite say you shouldn’t trust the Supreme Court, the president says you can’t trust Congress, and churches often tell us to beware of the government. It’s the old case of blowing out someone else’s candle so yours will shine brighter.
So who do you trust these days?
10 things to start doing to be successful
Success can seem elusive. In fact, only eight percent of people reach their goals, meaning 92% never get there. Which category are you …
The Big Question: You’ve got time, what will you do?
The race is on. You have six months left in the year. So what do you need or want to accomplish? You’ve got time to finish the year strong!
My reading list: Inspiring books for growth
As the years go by, I enjoy reading more and more. Obviously, the Bible is the leading book we read, but people often ask what we’re reading.
Here’s a rundown that includes current reads, as well as my all-time classics.
Top of mind: 5 must-do’s in high inflation
We aren’t living in typical times. It doesn’t matter where you are in your financial journey, the times demand our attention and action.
Take a look at our list.
13 things you can give up if you want to be successful
Life is about perspective.
Often, it’s not just the principles, guidelines and rules. It’s more about beliefs, values, determination and persistence. Want to get to the next level? Here are 13 suggestions to help you start turning the big boat around. This list is about changing your mindset and perspective.
You can do this. You were made for this moment.
Overcome the crunch: Part-time for a short time
If you’re like most people, inflation has eaten away at your income. Americans pay about $500 (or more) each month for the same goods they bought last year.
Your best commodity is time, and working an extra 5-10 hours a week to bring in additional income may be easier than you think.
High inflation concerns: Avoid these 5 things now
Everyone is concerned about their money — and for a good reason. The Fed raised interest rates Wednesday, and it’s expected they could …
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Forgotten values: Longing for the good ol’ days
I’m longing for the good ol’ days. And it’s okay to long for good things. Remember the days when you could drink from a water hose, play stickball in the front yard with neighbors and enjoy family.
Economic storm: Practical ways to avoid the hurricane
The storm is all around us. Warning signs now point to an extended storm and after-storm. If you think of it like a …
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Kickstart your life: Stop the drift, retrain your brain
We all have a bias. It’s inevitable, and it’s natural. Sometimes, a bias is as simple as a preference. Other times it’s more …
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Money 101: Real questions and savvy guardrails
Finance fundamentals are often straightforward, but our habits and tendencies often get us into trouble. Here are some real-life questions — and guardrails — offered by clients and traditional thinking.
Cheat-Sheet: Jump to the front of the line
Get the Cheat Sheet Whether it’s John Maxwell, Zig Ziglar, Og Mandino, Napoleon Hill, Mark Batterson or in the Bible, movers and shakers …
Inquiring minds want to know: Questions for epic times
Jesus asked more than 300 questions in the Bible. He knew the answers, so why did he ask? He wanted people to think for themselves.
Here are some questions to mess with your thinking.
Lessons along the journey
A once-proud America dangles in the balance between good and evil, truth and lies. Don’t shout just yet — this is a problem that transcends political, ethnic and generational boundaries. These are signs of a time that you can easily find in the Bible. The prophets spoke of it, the gospel writers declared it, and Paul, Peter, John and others predicted it.
Take action: Today, I will…
Today’s your day. It’s the day the procrastination ends. It’s a new beginning. At least for a day. The Bible calls us to …
Your Fab 5: Q&A to change your life
It all starts in your head. Eventually, whatever goes in comes out of your mouth and turns into your actions. Think of words as seeds. Those seeds are planted by the things you hear and see.
Time to stand out: You were born an original
You were born an original, don’t die a copy. ~John Mason. The world is full of copycats. Today more than ever, a cookie-cutter …
Indecision: The paralyzing decision
No decision is a decision. Don’t be run over like a deer in the headlights. Or the indecisive squirrel. Let’s flip the script and turn indecision into a victory.
5 new quotes for uncertain times
Quotes have always been a super starter for me. Thoughts from past leaders, teachers, speakers, authors and others provide the bread crumbs of …
Inflation beaters: Tips to winning in tough times
Inflation has an impact on everyone. The lower your income, the less wiggle room you have. You’ll see a lot of advice these …
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A banker, a little girl and square ice cream
Over 50 years ago, a dad took his little girl to an ice cream shop inside a drug store in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The …
Ukrainian crisis: How it affects you and me
“Everyone loses,” says Stuart Varney. “Everyone loses.” We are witnessing a significant reset on the world stage. And here at home. Regardless of …
In times like these
“In times like these, it always helps to recall there have always been times like these.” ~Paul Harvey. Sure, that’s true, but we’re …
5 questions to mess with your thinking
Sometimes, a good question is all you need to get off the schneid, so here are five that will mess with your thinking. …
Why not you? It works for the ants
Saving for a rainy day seems old-fashioned and old-school. That’s because it is, but it’s all the more critical because rainy days seem …
You don’t need permission: Make it your own
We moved to Texas from Colorado in 2021. In addition to packing, boxing, shipping, closing/opening accounts, and general angst over a move, we …
Yes you can! Destroy the “I can’t” myths
We are our own worst enemies. We close the door — or don’t open the door — because we believe the lies about …
My list: 22 things to consider for 2022
We’ve moved past the resolutions for the new year. In other words, most people — over 80% — have forgotten or abandoned the …
Book Review: Winning the War in your Mind
As part of my venture to be intentional and come alongside others to help this year, I’m sharing some thoughts from some books …
21 things I learned in 2021.
2021 was an odd year — okay, very bizarre. Looking back, there are some takeaway moments that I can carry into 2022. Here …
Isolate and Destroy: The tool of your enemy.
We are not designed to live life alone. For the past year and a half, we have been the target of an ugly …
OUR JOURNEY: WE CAN SEE THE LANDING STRIP
Last in a series: Our Journey Friends, I write to you as an encouragement that God has not forgotten you and is interested …
These 3 words will define your doctrine
Everyone has an opinion. Everyone. We are smack dab in the midst of a season, though, when opinion reigns supreme. Today more than …
Managing Your Money: 5 MORE myths about your money
We all know that people will say the darndest things. But did you know that people will also believe the darndest things? It’s …
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What’s the ONE THING you want to change this year?
What is the one change you want to change in your life this year? You don’t need a list and generalizations — just …
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CHRISTMAS: 2 MONTHS AWAY, ARE YOU READY?
DOWNLOAD YOUR GIFT-GIVING GUIDE FOR 2021 It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And it’s only two months away. You got plans …
Ask the red-headed lady: Lessons from the African violet
We celebrated Elizabeth’s birthday this week, and she had a few things on her list. Of course, nothing could trump the surprise visit …
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Managing your money: tips, tricks and tools
Trouble spots in a budget are common, and they are often easily identified when you begin the budget process or begin tracking expenses …
OUR JOURNEY: BACK ROADS AND BABY STEPS
Life has a way of getting our attention and teaching us. Often though, we don’t learn the first time around and go around …
5 SONGS THAT GET ME THROUGH
Life seems to go on without effort when I am filled with music. – George Eliot. Music has always been a big part of …
Are you up for The Challenge? Let’s see…
Be still, and know that I am God. Here’s a simple yet difficult challenge. Find a place and sit alone. For 15 minutes. …
Managing your money: DEVELOP Winning habits
“You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” …
OUR JOURNEY: THE LATEST UPDATE
Good morning from The Woodlands, Texas. This is Day #2 for my treatment for Guillain-Barre Syndrome. It is an outpatient infusion that allows …
FINISH STRONG: 89 DAYS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on …
An Update on Our Journey
Hello friends, just wanted to update you on our journey. As many of you know, we left Colorado this year and still unloading …
Learning the art of running against the wind
Feel like you’re always running against the wind? Life comes at us often and unexpectedly. If you want to run with the horses, …
MANAGING YOUR MONEY: Sparking Your Fire
It only takes a spark to get a fire going, so here are a few sparks for you — and some questions — …
Folks, it ain’t rocket science…
We humans can make life hard when we want to. And that happens pretty regularly. There are some basic laws of nature and …
We’re home: We found our church!
We have found our church. As many of you know we left Colorado earlier this summer and landed in The Woodlands, Texas, just …
It’s all about your viewpoint and perspective
Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. ~Henry Ford. The more I live, the more I realize life …
More Text Messages to Myself
From a recent newsletter. With a bonus at the end. I’ve been called a strange one. Yes, I text myself. Things that stand …
Winning Principles for Your Money
Ever wonder how that guy down the street became an everyday millionaire on his salary? Sure, he drives an older Chevy instead of …
WARNING: Plan Now, Natural Deadlines Ahead
If there is no deadline, it is not real. Four months left in 2021. How is the year going for you? Are you …
Managing Your Money: 5 myths about your money
When it comes to money — especially your money — everybody has an opinion. They can tell you how to spend it, why …
Summer of ’21: Chronicles of a Holding Pattern
I’d rather do something uncomfortable for a couple of months than live in regret for the next 10 years. If you’ve ever been …
Settling in: Enjoy the Ride
We are finally in our new home in The Woodlands, Texas. Settled? No, not yet, but settling and excited to turn the page …
Managing Your Money: It all starts with a plan
“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.” ~Yogi Berra. Want to win with money? It’s not rocket science. …
FAILURE: The Stepping Stones to your Breakthrough
Failure is not an option. This phrase is often associated with Gene Kranz, who was flight director for many of the Gemini and …
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HOLDING PATTERN: THE BARE ESSENTIALS
Over the past few months, we have been in a holding pattern. Part of a journey that not only moved us halfway across …
Take a fresh look at life: It’s all about perspective
Excuse me, we’d like to get off the merry-go-round now. Life can be dizzying at times, and sometimes you just have to put …
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ONE MORE THING: What do you need to celebrate?
It’s time to celebrate. In a time when Debbie Downers abound, and we’re taught to sulk and brood, turn the tides today. Make …
It’s not what you think: The 7 Baby Steps of Life
Dave Ramsey has the right idea. But just like finances, life itself is a series of baby steps. And we have the 7 …
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REROUTING: The God-factor of the GPS
We’ve all missed that turn, and our GPS reacts with the infamous — sometimes infuriating — REROUTING or RECALCULATING. Ugh! “I’m going to …
Q&A: From the stock market to inflation and student loans
As I visit with clients worldwide, the questions are the same, so I thought I would address some of them for you. These …
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What is the advice you are ignoring?
The world is changing around us. New products are coming online, systems are changing, and new inventions are changing the way we do …
Seeking Paul: The Game-Changer in your Life
I can be a Paul, I need a Barnabas, and I must always remain a Timothy. You already know you need the right …
Right people, right place, right time
Nearly 20 years ago, I wrote a post-it note and left it in a book by John Maxwell. The words were significant then …
25 Things I’ve Learned in 2021
“Once you stop learning, you start dying.” ~Albert Einstein. Learning doesn’t stop with school and doesn’t end with age. Books are great resources …
The Big question you should ask yourself today
We’re approaching the end of the second quarter. Almost half the year is gone. How are you doing on your goals, plans, dreams, …
Stuck at the crossroad again? Let’s go through this time
Are you stuck? Are you at a crossroad? Again? Lately, I’ve worked with clients and coaches to help them get unstuck and, particularly, …
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THE GREAT REBOOT: New Wineskins and the Paradigm Shift
Whether you call it scary, exciting, or unsettling, one thing is for sure: The world has been going through a mammoth transformation in …
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