When I was just a little younger, I had great big goals and objectives and aspirations for every day of my life. These days, my biggest ambition is to get through each day with grace and peace of mind – to be unflappable and to move peacefully from one task to another with focused attention and a quiet, calm energy. Simple right? Ok maybe not. However there are steps we can take to at least increase how often we remain calm. Why be calm?... 

Willpower can be defined as having the ability to get yourself to take the necessary actions which will move you closer toward achieving your goals, and having the ability to refrain from taking action which will move you away from your goals. It’s strongly related to the concepts of self-discipline and self-control. Your success in life – and your ability to achieve your life goals – is largely dependent on your ability to... 

So my father and brother-in-law were over this weekend for a barbecue. My fridge was stuffed with appetizers and salads so I was only able to fit a 12-pack of beer. Normally, this would have been enough so I didn’t worry about it. After a couple hours, the stash was depleted; the old man got into a groove and well, so did we. I did have some more beer in the garage but the 90+ degree Chicago heat had rendered it useless for at least an... 

I’m a planner. I like checklists and itineraries and schedules. Give me a map and I’ll plod along, one foot in front of the other, until we reach our destination. Of course, life isn’t always so easy. In fact, lately it seems like all my finely tuned plans have been turned upside down. Just like the old saying goes: We make plans and God just laughs. These days, you …  Read More →

A few of the original readers of DLM may remember my article about quitting smoking . Well, after hearing that my father-in-law gave up coffee and caffeine 8 months ago and how it’s impacted him, I decided to do the same. Exactly 60 days ago I began the quest and for the last 30 days I have been caffeine-free. To put this into context a little, you should know that I drank at least a full pot (12 cups) of coffee per day. I never drank... 

A few weeks ago, I met up with an acquaintance, B, for lunch. Throughout the lunch, I couldn’t help but feel there was some sort of communication breakdown. He would cut me off even though I was still talking. He kept offering unwanted advice and opinions, even though I was not asking for help. It became quite frustrating just 15 minutes into the conversation. After 30 minutes, I stopped sharing and nodded away to everything he said. After... 

A few weeks ago, I met up with an acquaintance, B, for lunch. Throughout the lunch, I couldn’t help but feel there was some sort of communication breakdown. He would cut me off even though I was still talking. He kept offering unwanted advice and opinions, even though I was not asking for help. It became quite frustrating just 15 minutes into the conversation. After 30 minutes, I stopped sharing and nodded away to everything he said. After... 

When it comes to the work you do every day, what are the things that truly only you can do because they are an extension of your unique gifts and abilities? These are the things worth organizing your day – and your life— around. Beyond these genuinely unique contributions, daily work-related tasks and responsibilities generally fall into the four categories described below. The key to discovering your productivity patterns is to identify... 

Excuses allow us to stay within our comfort zone, but do excuses really let you live the life you really want? Sure, going after your dreams may be scary, but isn’t it more scary to succumb to your excuses and live a life of mediocrity? In each of our lives, sooner or later we come upon a crossroads, where we have to choose which path…  Read More →

You’ve probably heard the saying “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” It’s a reminder that we can never know what it’s like to be that person: perhaps they’re struggling with problems which we’ve never seen, or never guessed at. Other people’s behavior can be frustrating, irritating, and hard to understand. In many situations, though – whether in your professional or personal life – it’s... 

Everyone will go through a phase where self-image and self-esteem are questioned and molded. During this existential crisis it’s important to establish a healthy sense of self-worth and maintain well-being. This means avoiding people, places, and things that make you feel lousy, and starting to cultivate and engage in those activities and relationships that build you up. To make sure you work through these moments of self-doubt, follow the... 

We all want to create a passive online business that allows us to travel the world, sip drinks on the beach and enjoy life to its fullest. But does that reality exist? Is it possible to create a successful online business that practically runs itself? I would say it is, but it requires a few important steps, seven to be exact. These are the seven steps that have helped me create the life that I want. This has by no means been easy. I’ve worked... 

Many of us have been brought up to think that there is only so much to go around and we must grab what we can before other people get our share. But there is another paradigm which insists on the importance of community, emphasizing our interconnectedness and interdependence. In this view, helping others, giving something of ourselves and reaching out are the keys to success and happiness. Einstein wrote, ‘Only a life lived for others is worth... 

Do you feel like something is missing in your life? Are you finally waking up to the fact that you’ve been distracting yourself with the unnecessary? Working a 9-to-5 job just to scrape together a living is not a very fulfilling way to live. Taking the leap from 9-to-5 to passion is hard, but if you really want fulfillment, it’s what needs to be done. There are a lot of excuses you can use, and a lot of obstacles that will come in your way.... 

Are you ever at work and the task that you’re handling just flows and gets done without much effort? It’s almost as if your brain and creativity just explode and you slice through the task with ease. That feeling, the flow, is an awesome feeling but how often do you have it? Wouldn’t it be great if you could somehow bottle that feeling and release it when you need it most? Easier said than done. There are probably a lot of...