Category: Personal Growth

A stack of books with the words learning never ends written on top. The image conveys the idea that learning is a continuous process and that there is always more to learn.

Read time: 2 mins

Ironically, the Path to Mastery lies in Being a Life-Long Student

The minute you are labeled an expert, the moment you allow that to become part of your identity, the insidious ‘Expert Trap’

An illustration of a person climbing a staircase made of blocks labeled “FAIL,” using them as steps to reach a higher platform labeled “SUCCESS” with a flag on top—symbolizing learning from failure to achieve success.

Read time: 2 mins

Falling Down Well

Falling well is the ability to absorb a setback without shattering, to fail gracefully, to catch oneself mid-fall (emotionally, mentally, practically) and

A smiling woman with curly hair hugs a large red heart against a bright yellow background, eyes closed in a joyful, affectionate pose.

Read time: < 1 min

Be Careful What You Keep Close to Your Heart

If you choose to hold a grudge or a grievance or latch onto any form of resentment, spite, anger, envy, jealousy, or

An illustration of several people standing at a crossroads with multiple paths and open doors, symbolizing choices and decision-making.

Read time: 2 mins

Your Unlived Lives

‘Your Unlived Lives’ refers to the set of choices you didn’t make—and the selves you didn’t become. Call it the unrealized self

A yellow background with several different smiling face emojis

Read time: 2 mins

My Resting face is a Smiling Face

Your resting face (aka neutral face or default face) is simply the natural, relaxed expression your face settles into when you’re not

A person holding a stylized iceberg graphic labeled “hard skills” above the surface and “soft skills” below, illustrating that soft skills are deeper and less visible.

Read time: 3 mins

A Curious Reluctance

I am by training an accountant and an attorney, and worked briefly as an auditor; all hardheaded professions, grounded in hard skills.

Hand drawing a heart and brain concept about the EQ emotional intelligence and IQ intelligence quotient.

Read time: 2 mins

Soft Strengths are the Hardest

I have relentlessly pursued mastery of my craft my entire life. My home library has over a thousand books, I have three

Silhouette of bird flying and broken chains at beautiful mountain and sky autumn sunset background

Read time: 2 mins

Mind-forg’d Manacles

The phrase ‘mind-forg’d manacles’ comes from the poem ‘London’ by romantic author William Blake, written in 1794. Over 200 years ago, Blake

Hand drawing Preparation Luck Opportunity diagram concept with marker on transparent wipe board. Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.

Read time: 2 mins

Swimming in a Sea of Serendipity

It has been said that luck lies in the intersection of preparation (hard, smart work) and opportunity (Seneca, 4 BC-65 AD). While

The image shows a small group of adults in a professional setting, standing indoors near a large window with greenery visible outside. They appear to be engaged in a warm, positive conversation. At the center is a woman with light-colored hair, smiling and holding her hands over her chest, suggesting gratitude or appreciation. She’s dressed in business attire. To her left, a man in a suit and glasses is smiling and also touching his chest, mirroring the appreciative gesture. On the right, another person (seen mostly from behind) is clapping or gesturing enthusiastically toward the woman in the center.

Read time: 2 mins

The Power of Mattering

“The Power of Mattering” by Zach Mercurio speaks to the viral importance of acknowledging Team Members’ presence and contributions, how their unique

The image shows a bright yellow background with four small, round wooden tokens arranged in a row. Three tokens on the left display white speech-bubble icons, suggesting conversation or messages. On the right, a hand is placing or holding a fourth wooden token that shows a checklist icon, with the word “FEEDBACK” written above it. The overall visual suggests the idea of collecting comments or turning conversations into structured feedback.

Read time: 2 mins

Three Tips for Feedback that Works

Clarify: Be up front about your intent from the very beginning. “My role is to help you succeed; any coaching or feedback