Tribalism Versus Community
I detest the use of "tribes" to denote people of a certain common interest or pursuit. I'm sensitive to the fact that many people write about tribes as glorious constructs, most particularly Seth Godin, whose writing I respect and opinions
A Baby’s Cry
My wife and I attend Catholic services all over the world, and the same words and ritual are pretty much occurring at the same time in every service, with local charms: In Bora Bora, they use conch shells in stead
“To Do” Lists Don’t Do It
I coach a lot of people who are bright, high energy, and successful, but who aren't operating at anywhere near peak performance because they manage their time inefficiently. I've come to realize that the more they try to organize, the
Common Sense Consulting™ Weekly Videos
Common Sense Consulting Weekly®: Based on my sold-out teleconference and New York workshop, receive a five-minute video every week describing a consulting practice or methodology that is quick, reduces labor intensity, and increases value (and, therefore, fees). I'll send you
Nantucket 2012—12
We're headed home today after two glorious weeks. It's a drizzly morning, the sky grey, the water slate. The horizon is discernible, I'm guessing about three miles away (it always looks farther than it actually is, sort of like many
Over Here
On the beach I noticed a lone plant, very green and apparently doing quite well, isolated on the sand, having withstood high tides, winds, and storms. Not far away was some flotsam, what looked to be part of a mast
More Olympic Lessons
• Jamaica has a population of under three million, and swept the 200 meter dash. The only other country to ever do that is the US, with a population of over 300 million. Don't be afraid of large numbers. • The
Working Backwards for Maximum Effectiveness
People organize and set priority the wrong way. They tend to look at their desk and calendar and attempt to sort the myriad issues, notes, projects, tasks, and dust bunnies into some cohesive framework, which is like pushing cappellini with
Playing the Game
Martin Seligman, of the University of Pennsylvania, has popularized the notion and power of "self-talk" in his work, most particularly in Learned Optimism. What we tell ourselves informs our behavior. He also talks about "authentic happiness," and how to achieve