New Year’s resolutions don’t work for me, or for most people. The long-term success rate for resolutions is low; a recent study conducted at the University of Scranton found that only eight percent of those studied achieved their resolutions. Given the low success rate, maybe it’s time for a … [Read more...] about Making Resolute Resolutions
Search Results for: Craig Van Slyke
Fred the Stoic
Fred was an epic cat. Really. While most pets are special to their owners, Fred really was special; if nothing else, he lived to be almost 22 years old, which you have to admit, is special. As nearly as I can tell, the oldest cat currently alive is around 27. Fred came close, which is pretty … [Read more...] about Fred the Stoic
Economists are Cautiously Optimistic for the New Year
“What a crappy recovery this has been!” exclaimed economist Elliot Pollock at the 41st Annual Economic Outlook Conference in Flagstaff last month. The conference’s reputation for dicey –and humorous – interactions between economic experts packed the house at the High Country Conference … [Read more...] about Economists are Cautiously Optimistic for the New Year
Understanding the Benefits of Freedom of Thought, Expression
In my younger days, I was pretty intractable, convinced that I was always right. When my wife, Tracy, reads this, she’ll do an eye-roll and think “was?” but I really have gotten much better about allowing for the possibility that I might be wrong. (At some point, I had to give in to overwhelming … [Read more...] about Understanding the Benefits of Freedom of Thought, Expression
The Point of Your Life
Flying home from visiting my 92-year-old mother in Orlando recently, I reflected on the length and the shortness of life. It struck me that my mother has lived almost exactly twice as long as my first wife (Debbie), who lived to be 46. By most standards, Mom has lived a long life (with more to go), … [Read more...] about The Point of Your Life
Finding the Philosophy of Life in Country Songs
Since moving to Doney Park and acquiring a horse and two (very funny) goats, I’ve been listening to a lot of country music … the real stuff. Early this morning, while feeding the hooved ones, it occurred to me that it might be fun to express some of my philosophy of life through country songs. So, … [Read more...] about Finding the Philosophy of Life in Country Songs
Being Mindful
This month, we discuss the second of my four pillars of self-leadership, mindfulness. (The other three are purposefulness, reflection and practice.) When I give talks on self-leadership, I usually have a slide that shows the inflatable “autopilot” from the 1980 comedy classic, “Airplane.” Why? … [Read more...] about Being Mindful
Reflecting on Orlando
The recent terrible, tragic shooting in Orlando struck close to home for me, literally. My family moved to Orlando almost 30 years ago. Although not born there, it’s the city I think of as home. My immediate family still resides in or near Orlando. For a period of time, I lived about a mile from the … [Read more...] about Reflecting on Orlando
Purposefulness: One of the Four Pillars of Self-Leadership
This summer, we’re going to focus on self-leadership. Like leadership, self-leadership is an influence process, but in the case of self-leadership, you’re leading yourself rather than others. Self-leadership is about taking control of your life, of becoming the sort of person you’d like to be. … [Read more...] about Purposefulness: One of the Four Pillars of Self-Leadership
Dear Graduate: Thoughts on Pursuing a Life Well-Lived
This is my second annual “Dear Graduate” letter. The inspiration for the content of this letter came from listening to a group of students who completed an eight-week Dale Carnegie course. Their comments led me to think about what we should seek as we traverse life. Dear Graduate: You have … [Read more...] about Dear Graduate: Thoughts on Pursuing a Life Well-Lived