Many people believe that pessimism is always bad and that optimism is always good. However, what if a certain kind of pessimism can actually make you more likely to succeed? In this article, you will learn about a concept that I refer to as Productive Pessimism. First, let me share an example of when pessimism… [Read More]
What do you typically do when you are not in the mood to keep a commitment? For example, what typically happens if you are not in the mood for a scheduled workout, a meeting at work, or a social obligation? Do you usually bail, or do you usually follow-through anyway? Each of us will experience… [Read More]
How do you typically respond when someone does something that upsets you? For many people, the default setting is to assume negative intent. In this article, you will learn a stronger way to respond and preserve your emotional energy: assume positive intent. A Quick Story I recently attended a volunteer event with Back on My… [Read More]
Sadness is a basic emotion that everyone experiences at times. It can range from brief and mild (i.e. being disappointed for a few minutes) to chronic and extreme (i.e. being depressed for months or years). It is well-known that the frequency, duration, and intensity of sadness that you experience has a profound impact on your… [Read More]
One of the most common questions people ask me is how to stay motivated. Getting motivated is the easy part. It is much more difficult to to stay motivated. If you want some evidence, walk into any health club in January. Then, go back to that same club on the same day and time in February. There… [Read More]
Have you ever wondered how some people resist temptations more than others? In this article, you’ll learn one of their secrets. They use something that I refer to as The Iceberg Rule. The Iceberg Rule One of the leaders who I interviewed for my book Work Stronger is Dr. Larry Senn. He is the octogenarian… [Read More]
Like many kids, I occasionally procrastinated when it came to schoolwork. There were two separate times in middle school when my father had to drive to a local office supplies store after 9:00 p.m. in order to pick up ink for our printer- so that I could print out an assignment due at school the… [Read More]
Have you ever tried to use an artificial incentive to motivate yourself to change your behavior and form stronger habits? Maybe you promised yourself a gift for making some sort of change. Or, maybe someone else promised you a reward for making a change or achieving a goal. In this article, you will learn why… [Read More]
A few years ago, I attended a two-day workshop that was led by Senn Delaney, the culture shaping unit of Heidrick & Struggles. During the program, we discussed the power of managing your emotional energy- a very important topic that many people never consider. Up until that point of my life, I typically got irritated… [Read More]
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a big goal or project? Big goals or projects (personally or professionally) can be energizing and can help make life exciting. However, they can also feel overwhelming, either right away or after you get started. In this article, you will learn a practical way to boost your optimism and… [Read More]
