I’ve been noticing a change happening at work.  It started with one co-worker and then the next and the next and finally our CEO.  They were all replacing their laptops with journals or writing tablets in our meeting rooms.  When I’ve inquired why the change, many said it gave them more freedom to write, draw and connect thoughts in the moment.  They also said it helped them to remember things and understand new concepts. It turns out their instincts have scientific backing. 

We are complex individuals with different talents and skills that are not fixed or pre-determined but can change and grow.  With the right mindset, we can develop our talents and use our skills in a variety of ways to accomplish our goals.  Everything is possible when we use our past successes to fuel the belief in our ability to accomplish future goals.  There’s a lot of truth to the old expression, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”  The first and most powerful step is believing.

We all have an Achilles heel in life.  A weakness or vulnerability that seems to plague us-fear, anxiety, impulsivity, impatience, overreaction, acquiescing, overprotection, etc.  No matter what you throw at it, it never really disappears from your life.  Why is that?

Cultivating discernment takes time and experience. Through careful observation and the use of your intuition, you can refine your perception or ability to see and understand things clearly.  You can pick up on subtle nuances and patterns in order to make sound judgements on situations or find the true meaning behind someone’s words, even if they are not explicitly stated. The more we sharpen our discernment skills, the more we will trust ourselves to do what is best in any circumstance. 

In business, or in life for that matter, it’s not always about us, or accomplishing, achieving or executing.  Sometimes it’s about others, and just showing up and sharing our positive energy and goodwill. When we selflessly share our time and energy, we not only are a catalyst for joy…we experience joy ourselves. 

Overcomplicating things or creating imaginary scenarios/narratives in our heads are natural human occurrences.  They are how our brains make sense of the world. However, our brains are very creative and can get carried away at times. Learn the tools to keep your mind in check to minimize anxious thoughts and maximize productive ones.

Muster up the courage, strength and heart to stick it out, to accomplish what you set out to do, to form that habit or cross that finish line.  Just keep showing up, and sooner or later, you’ll look back and realize how far you’ve come, what you are able to do and how much your life can change when you make a commitment to yourself.

We all face hard decisions in life, but it’s important to not let fear determine what you can and can’t do. The more you understand your fear, face it and change your response to it, the freer you will be to experience new things, chase your dreams, become the best version of yourself and inspire others to do the same.

The next time you get a nudge to do some spring cleaning, instead of just giving your closets, cupboards and garage a fresh overhaul, overhaul your routines, relationships and mindset as well, then watch your discipline and accomplishments skyrocket and your people and pets thrive!

It’s not always easy to decide when to say something and when to hold your tongue. While speaking up in the moment may seem justified and the right thing to do in our mind, we may fail to consider how our words will be received by others and how that will then make us feel. Learn the five situations where it would be wise to hold your tongue to encourage productive behavior and bring you peace.

Don’t let baseless fears hold you back. Learn how to monitor your self-limiting beliefs, challenge and reframe them, so you can open yourself up to new possibilities and the positive beliefs that arise from them.

We’ve all engaged in passive-aggressive behavior at some point, consciously or unconsciously.  It’s easier to avoid expressing our feelings or confronting someone and just signal to them in other ways that we aren’t happy about something they did, didn’t do, said or didn’t say. If left unchecked, this behavior can become our default to expressing negative feelings, and we can use it to manipulate other people to our desired outcome without making our position known and having open and honest discussions. Learn how to keep your own passive-aggressive behaviors in check and identify and stop those of others.

Let’s get out of our heads, off our devices and pay attention to the physical world around us. And, when we notice something positive about someone, let’s not be afraid to give them a warm and sincere compliment and spread the kind of kindness that fuels optimism.

Did you know that setting and maintaining healthy boundaries is a form of self-care, just like eating healthy and exercising?  These boundaries protect your mental well-being and limit your exposure to unnecessary stress, the resulting production of adrenaline and cortisol by your body and the emotional and physical fatigue that follows.

I have been asked by several people recently how I manage to wear many hats (marketing executive, human resources executive, blogger, mom, wife, friend, volunteer, etc.) and still maintain a healthy lifestyle.  My answer may surprise you. 

Owning up to your mistakes is not easy, but the more you hold yourself accountable, the more you will grow personally and professionally.  You will quickly learn that admitting and learning from your mistakes is a sign of strength and self-awareness, paving the way for greater consciousness, better relationships and a more fulfilling life.

Decorating the office for the holidays adds color, fun and all the seasonal feels to the work environment. In addition to decorating, it can be fun to create office activities around holidays. Not only will people look forward to them, but if you decide to forgo one or do something different, you will hear about it because unbeknownst to you they become joyful work traditions.

Get to know the learning styles of the people you work with often, so you can incorporate different ways for them to engage in meetings.  Everyone in the organization brings their unique experience and perspective to the table.  Drawing that out in a way that is natural to them is imperative to help the team arrive at the best path forward.

Did you know that clutter in your workspace can impact your mental health?  It can cause anxiety, make you feel overwhelmed and disrupt your concentration, essentially impeding your workflow. Learn the "Cash," "Dash," "Stash" and "Trash" method to keep your workspace functional and your mind clear.

One of the most commonly reported social fears is public speaking.  If you are among those who get anxious at the thought of speaking in front a large group of people, trust me when I say that you can overcome your anxiety and become a great public speaker. Don't let fear silence your voice.