Category: Motivation
Motivation drives how we learn, lead, create, and grow. This category explores the forces that move people — clarity, purpose, momentum, and mindset. Short reflections and sharp insights reveal how motivation is built, sustained, and shared, helping you spark action in yourself and the communities you influence.
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The Inner Architect: Building a Happy Mind
How often do we look outside ourselves for happiness? For that next promotion, that perfect vacation, that new gadget? We chase it like a distant mirage, convinced it lies just beyond our grasp, tethered to external circumstances. See Also: Never Truly Satisfied But what if the blueprint for a truly happy life already exists, not…
The Blank Canvas: A Symphony of Questions
Life is Art, What Questions are You Asking Your Canvas?
Do you need a break?
Half times in sports signify crucial resets for rest and strategy. Similar to a deload week in weight training, which includes lighter workouts followed by intense training phases, this concept applies to all areas of life. Planned breaks help prevent burnout, promoting appreciation of life’s simple joys and rejuvenating our spirits.
Rethinking Success: Alternative Metrics for Measuring Achievement
As I navigated through the dense fog of the Gulf of Maine this summer, sailing from Boston to Maine, I found myself enveloped in a surreal bubble. The wall of fog surrounding me created an intimate, isolated space, prompting introspection. I began contemplating success, ambition, and happiness. In that eerie silence, I realized that traditional…
Never Truly Satisfied (with Life and Work)
Mick Jagger sang, “I can’t get no…” Satisfaction. Can we truly ever be satisfied? You probably know the extremes. Someone who is 100% content. Maybe their day evolves around the couch and the TV. Then there’s the other side of the spectrum, someone who is 0% content. They push, drive, and stay busy 23 hours…
Embracing Change as the Currency of Life
Change is a constant in life. Often, change can be intimidating or uncomfortable. Believe me, I know. In the past 5 years, I’ve changed from school administrator to full-time digital nomad. My areas of expertise went from designing curricula and supporting teachers to traveling oceans and helping schools and small businesses find new horizons for…
9 Quotes About Discovery
Yesterday’s post with the quote from da Vinci inspired today’s post about discover. Sometimes the best moments, and the best learning, happen as discoveries. So here are 9 quotes about discovery. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ― Mahatma Gandhi “The real voyage of discovery consists…
If you are not willing…
If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you’re determined to learn no one can stop you. ??? I’m not sure who said this originally. Often it’s attributed to Zig Ziglar but can’t verify it. Either way, it’s true. Determination is more valuable than curriculum. Determination is more valuable than…
Infinite Pie
There are those who see competition. Then there are those who see collaboration. The first believe that there’s a pie, and it’s a race to grab one’s own share of it before it’s all gone. The latter believe that when we work together, we create more pie. Which are you? The takers of a finite…
When Things Are Tough, Just Know
When things are tough, just know you’re able to read this blog post, which means it’s not over yet. Hang in there. You’ll do great. Everything’s going to work out. ____________ And if you feel like it’s beyond tough, like it’s the end of the road, it’s okay to step back and dream again.
Dying on the Dock
For two days straight I’ve discovered a dead fish on the dock. At some point in the middle of the night, the fish jumped out of the water and accidentally landed on the dock. I’m sure there was a bit of struggle as the fish fought for that suffocated breath. Sure, it was a minor…
Sit Still and Be Inspired
Sometimes I’ll sit still and simply wait to be inspired. The rest of the time I put in so many repetitions, that 1 out of 1000 is “inspired”. Being inspired is different than work that is inspired. What do you do to find your best work?
Simple Removals for This (and any) Week
It’s the things you say stop to – those things you remove – that free you to do your next level of work. Recently I stopped, and asked the last question for, my podcast. In addition to you big stops, there are also frequent removals. Things to remove in your life starting Monday morning: ⛔…
Every New Frontier Needs Boundaries
We could argue whether or not the American frontier of the late 1800s benefited from barbed wire. But ranchers realized boundaries gave peace of mind and increased productivity. This new frontier of emergency distance learning is free and open. However, it needs boundaries. Don’t be afraid to set your own. Take care of yourself.
Glimpses into the Future
We often catch glimpses into the future. In the moment, those glimpses appear as challenges, chaotic events, or overwhelming obstacles. The reason we perceive chaos or challenge is merely because the future is drastically different than our current reality. What challenges are you facing? What obstacles do you see? Adjust your vantage and you might…
Now, About That Blank Check
$43,800 is a pretty solid deposit, especially if you make it monthly. I deposited my 43,000 today on April 1st. And so did you. They aren’t dollars. They’re better. They’re minutes. 43,800 minutes ready to spend this month and each month. What will you do with you 43,800? ________ PS – Happy April 1st! I…
I Found a Blank Check and Cashed It!
I found a blank check at my door and decided to write a random number on it. $43,800. Then I deposited it in my account. I figured that would be a good amount. I’ll let you know how it goes and if the money stays around.
It’s okay if you get it wrong.
Really, it’s okay. There’s no shame in getting it wrong. There’s no reason to feel bad all. You made a move, and you missed it. That’s life. Actually, that’s learning. It’s okay if you get it wrong. You can dig valuable learning from it. You tried. You put your heart into it. You acted and…
The Genius of Persistence
The genius of persistence is that it buys time: Time to garner feedback Time to adjust Time to reapply and employ Time to decide when to go and when to stop Time is our greatest asset, and it’s bought by the genius of persistence.
The Nuances of Distinguishment
The days apart are starting to all look alike. All this social distancing is making the days stick together. Monday is hard to distinguish from Sunday. It’s kind of a blur. The days may be a blur, but you don’t have to be. Your work doesn’t have to be. Some people try to distinguish themselves.…
Get the Gig
Landing your first principal job is no small feat. Likely, you’ve discovered some challenges already in this process. Maybe you’ve followed some principal interview tips and prepared the perfect answers to principal interview questions. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. However, there is hope. And there are simple steps you can take to find the right…
Sometimes Opportunity
You Can. Sometimes opportunity doesn’t come. Sometimes windows don’t open. Sometimes there is no door to walk through. Sometimes you chart your own path. You Can.
Laughter and the Most Wasted of All Days
The most wasted of all days is the one without laughter. Laugh today, not merely because of comedy, but because life is meant to be experienced with emotion. You’ll be better for it. The people you lead will be better for it.
Perfect, Good, Great
“Perfect is the enemy of good.” – Voltaire “Good is the enemy of great.” – Jim Collins Respectfully, Voltaire, I have to disagree. Perfect is the enemy of action. Perfect is the friend of delay. Something else is the enemy of good. But what is the enemy of good? We don’t need to ask this…
Do You Ever Just Not Feel Like Doing It? …a secret.
I know I do. Sometimes I just don’t want to do it. That project, that repetitive task, or whatever that job is that has lost its pizazz. Here’s the secret. When you don’t feel like doing it, that’s the sign to do it. Act. Don’t delay. Then when you’re finished, you can evaluate whether or…
Indifference and Opposition
Innovation can be fueled by motivated people and can also serve to motivate people. Innovation is more than a mere plan or idea – it’s an esprit de corps. You, the school leader can make or break innovation. Positional leaders can take active or inactive roles in thwarting innovation either through indifference or opposition. You’re…
Three Powerful Letters
Y, E, S are three powerful letters, but they’re not as empowering as these three letters. These three letters form a word that initiates learning, sets momentum in action, and provides evidence for decision-making. What are the three powerful letters? N O W Now. Whatever it is you’re wanting to learn… Whatever it is you’re…
How is it that 7 principals all have the same answer?
I asked seven principals the same question, “What are you currently learning?” How is it that all seven principals answered with a common theme? Listen to episode 98 (What are Principals Learning) to hear what they said. What are you learning? Leave me a message here that could air on a future podcast.
If you’re a risk-taker, you will…
Make mistakes. But it’s not the mistakes that define you. It’s not failure that defines you. It’s what you focus on that defines you. If you’re focused on your mission – your why – then mistakes will refine you. Just listen to these amazing educational leaders and principals share what they learned from their mistakes.
Rust in the Through Hulls
Through-hulls are actually holes placed in the bottom of a boat. They serve many purposes such as water to cool engines, toilet plumbing, and a source of water to spray the boat down while at sea. When neglected, or simply after years in the water, the through-hulls can rust. This can pose major issues which…