February 21, 2022
Kaizen is a Japanese term best translated as “change for the better” or “continuous improvement.” Perhaps my favorite definition of Kaizen says it all, “The art of perfection.” It’s a business philosophy that’s interwoven within every aspect of Japanese enterprise. Kaizen means that any operation can be continuously improved, and that includes all employees. Kaizen sees improvement as a gradual and methodical process, one with no beginning and no end, as it’s built into the very core of productivity. It’s a concept that interests me greatly, and I often find myself stopping and taking account of my business and even life, measuring […]
February 15, 2022
Why is it easier to focus on what we don’t have than be grateful for what we do have? When staring at a glass that’s half full, why do we sometimes instead see it as half empty? We’re all guilty of this at times, but some go on to make it their calling card. When left unchecked, that negativity becomes the filter through which we see the world. Soon, we’re left doubting ourselves and feel like we’re falling short, no matter how far along we are in our journey. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever found yourself thinking about who you […]
February 12, 2022
No. I do not feel like it! I just wanted to order room service, turn on the TV, and sink into the bed. It had been a long day, and the last thing I wanted to do was start exercising. But there I was, sitting in my hotel room, staring at the dumbbells in front of me on the floor. I’d brought them with me from home on this work trip. Admittedly, most people don’t bring their own weights when traveling or just use the hotel gym. But this was part of my goal to work out at least four […]
February 10, 2022
Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of spending time with several of my colleagues. Each one of them is from a different part of the country, and some of them are from different countries altogether. We each have different temperaments, talents, and convictions. I took several things away from our time together, talking, and getting to know each other even further. But the one thing that I appreciated the most was how we each got to where we are in life. In many ways, we each followed a different path. But all paths led to the same place: success. Of course, we […]
January 27, 2022
It’s 2002, and I’m moving out of my apartment and into my first condo. I was going to be a homeowner for the first time, paying an unthinkable sum (at the time) if $601,000. I had never owned property before, and the stress and emotions that come with that huge life step were all crashing down on me. After all, I was comfortable in my apartment – and in my life. But I also felt it was the right time. So many people I knew were also taking the leap of faith into “adulting,” so it just seemed like the […]
January 20, 2022
I have many regrets in my life. But perhaps the biggest regret is around my father. He and I never had much of a relationship, but towards the end of his life, after locating him and getting him off the streets, I simply didn’t want much to do with him. After all, why should I? Where was he when I was young? Or when I needed him? Now, looking back, that decision pains me. After all, we never know when it will be the last time we have the chance to spend time or see someone. My father loved only […]
January 15, 2022
What’s the meaning of life? That’s the question that’s echoed through the ages, stumping the greatest philosophers, scholars, and holy men alike through the millennia. But, to me, the answer is easy. The meaning of life is to find your gift. That’s it. Since we crossed that off the list of eternally unanswerable questions, let’ keep going. When it comes to your life’s work, your task is to develop that gift. And the purpose of life? That’s to share your gift. Meaning, purpose, and life’s work, all relating to your gifts. Now, the hard part: how can we achieve those […]
January 7, 2022
He must be cheating. No one can ride Peloton with that resistance for that long. That output cannot be right! While he pedaled smoothly, controlled his breathing like a well-oiled machine, I couldn’t even move the pedals at that rate. Sure, he was a collegiate athlete and runner, but that shouldn’t matter much now, right? No, there’s no way that can be right. There’s no way! But the fact remained: He is in better shape than me, the output was right, and he wasn’t cheating, of course. So, I asked my good buddy, who was barely breaking a sweat as […]
December 30, 2021
Reflection is so important in life. If nothing else, the ceremonial renewing of our resolutions at the end of every year serves that invaluable purpose. Reflection also allows us to collect the lessons we’ve learned throughout the year and vow never to forget them. And while new year’s resolutions are often discarded all-too-soon, one way we can internalize the quest to improve our lives is to focus on continuous improvement. So, this year, I’m dedicated to the mantra of RELENTLESS FORWARD MOMENTUM. What does that mean? I endeavor to become the best version of me. I honor to be resilient […]
December 21, 2021
How do you know if you’re being the best version of yourself? How can you possibly assess if you’re maximizing your potential? What things do you look for? What are the signs? At the end of every year, I write both a personal and a professional business plan. In these documents, I put pen to paper to reflect on the things that worked during the year as well as the things that I need to improve upon. This year, like every year, I just sat down to review my goals. However, this year, unlike most, I circled back to the […]