Don’t Self Deflate

I was chatting with someone I know today and I was telling her about a project that I have been very excitedly working on more than a few years. After about 10 minutes into the conversation, she told me to stop – not what I was saying, but how I was apologizing for my project

A 13 year Old’s Take on Success

One of my colleagues is a judge for a competition of 7th and 8th graders in the city of Chicago. Each participant needed to submit a resume, story, and recommendations. Pretty intense stuff – almost like a applying for a job. What was so amazing was the quality of the thoughts, messaging, and writing. One

Who Has My Answer?

I met someone recently, John, who was seeking an answer to a question that was troubling him. I suggested that he use the event we were attending as an opportunity to chat with people, learn from them, and, if appropriate, ask for help. One of my friends saw him later in the day and we

Bring Out the Best

This is simple, straightforward, and powerful: when you find and bring out the best in others, you, that person and the world gain so much. Have a great day, Anita

Trying Too Hard

I was working with someone today who is really brilliant and yet really struggling to find a job. We did multiple mock interviews and practiced many different answers to interview questions. What became very clear to both of us today is that he is trying WAY TOO HARD. What he and I both learned it

Fly Over the Finish Line

It’s so wonderful to see a person excel. Recently, someone I know was struggling and receiving rejections from the jobs to which she applied. Now this is a person of talent, mission, and commitment, so she was very discouraged to find the market not valuing who she is (who wouldn’t). Yet, in her heart, she

Success One Direction at a Time

It’s so exciting to begin things. I just love the first stages of a project – all of the brainstorming, research, and mapping out the concept, plan, and even prototype. That said, having focused direction is incredibly empowering – when you take it all of the way to completion. The momentum from having a solid

Four Miles to Happiness

I was presenting a short program / discussion with questions last evening. Our small group has a great time with lots of positive exchange. After the activity was over, the big question for me was how to get home. Since another person was walking, three of us decided to walk together. When I got home,

Victory Over Yourself

Last week, I was preparing for two presentations  – one Friday evening and the other Sunday morning. Same presentation – two different groups. I will freely admit that I was a bit anxious about the delivering this workshop. I have come to realize that it meant more to me than I was willing to admit.