My mother used to tell a story about a Christmas morning early in her marriage to my father. She had her eye on a certain camelhair coat displayed at a department store. Her anticipation grew as Christmas drew near because a box appeared under the...
Before I became a business coach, I spent many years teaching people how to use computers. One of my early clients was an investment firm. Math had never been my strong suit, and I was always vaguely intimidated by those confident bankers who made tough decisions...
This week I got a question from a client that really resonated with me: “I have no shortage of ideas or inspiration but I find I’m still talking myself out of these ideas or finding reasons why I may not be skilled enough or experienced enough...
Back in 2012, I was just getting into the bluegrass jamming scene. At that time, I wrote this blog about how, as a singer, I had always wanted to play the guitar, but let minor obstacles like the pain in my fingertips get in the way of getting...
Very early in my coaching career, I had a sales conversation with a woman I met at a networking event. I’m embarrassed to admit that I gave her a low-ball quote that was half of what other coaches were charging. To “sweeten the pot” (as...
One of the joys of my financial abundance as an entrepreneur is owning a country home in the Catskills. Its best feature is a screened-in back porch where I sleep on warmer nights. I love that it's completely silent except for the gurgling of our...
My coaching clients often ask me, “How can I be more productive?” My question in reply: “How do you know that you’re NOT productive?” Most people will say “I feel unfocused or scattered,” or “I work all day and I don’t feel like I’m making progress,” or...
Little known fact about me: when I first moved to New York City, I wanted to be a rock star. I had years of singing and dancing under my belt, and was even told by my NYC voice teacher “Yes, you’ve got what it takes.” She...
When I talk about the Three Keys to an Abundant Business (Ask Powerfully, Give Wholeheartedly, and Receive Graciously), people always assume that “giving” is the most joyous part. After all, haven’t we heard our whole lives about how good we will feel when we give? Consider...
Ever have a bunch of tasks that aren’t a high priority, but when you get them done it feels sooooo good? That was my day yesterday: boxing up the Sodastream CO2 bottles to be exchanged, binding some music books I’ve promised to people, looking up...
I recently attended one of those online networking meetings where they have specific questions for attendees to answer. One of the questions they asked was, “What are you looking for that we might be able to help you with?” Since I frequently work with newer entrepreneurs,...
When I was growing up on the farm with my mom and two sisters if we wanted to learn something about how to run a profitable farm, we drove to a library, took out a book, read it, and then returned it in two weeks. The...
Just about everyone I know has an ongoing and never-ending to-do list. Typically the tasks get rolled over from one day to the next, and although some completed tasks drop off, new tasks are always piling on.
Many of us have a tradition of sharing what we’re grateful for around the Thanksgiving table. It’s a time when we acknowledge the bounty of what we have – the people we love, our health, our homes, and the food we’re about to share. Usually when...
