Invisible Influence
We are explicitly and implicitly influenced daily, continually. A Times headline in response to the North Korean ballistic missile test: "Trump shows uncharacteristic restraint." If it were Obama, the headline would have read: "Obama shows admirable restraint." (Extrapolate this: "Obama walks on
Marching in Which Direction?
Too many protests and protest movements focus on action but not results. Having people in the street is impressive, but changing the policy is the point.
Preparation Anxiety
Maybe you really want to ski, but if you're afraid to get on the lift, it ain't gonna happen.
A Pain in the But
People who start most sentences with "but" are the monkey wrenches in the gears of life. I tell them assertively, "Stop starting sentences with but'!" That eviscerates them linguistically.
First Things First
One of my most valuable lessons learned: Focus on what's immediately in front of you, do it well, then move on to the next thing. If you keep focused on the distance you mess up today and never get there.
Raising the Bar
Think big and embrace the higher bar: If you've published your first book, great. That's not an ending, it's a beginning. Plan your next two.
Stop Copying, Start Creating
Derivative: originating from, based on, or influenced by Original: not dependent on other people's ideas; present or existing from the beginning; first or earliest Any questions?
What the Election Can Teach Us
It may not be more complex than this: You win some, and you lose some, and some get rained out. But you have to suit up for them all. Winners shouldn't gloat, losers shouldn't whine. But we need to face the
Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Just because people die for something or some cause doesn't mean they were right. Passion and zeal are wonderful, but they need to be laced with pragmatism and intelligence. Logic makes us think, emotion makes us act. It's usually not
Alan’s Thought for Today
We spend more energy and time searching for excuses than we do creating solutions.