When I’m interviewing job seekers, I like to repeat back how I am perceiving them so that they can validate my perception and correct any misunderstanding. It’s interesting how intoxicating that moment is for job seekers, but I thought about it some more.Perhaps when I’m reflecting someone back to themselves there’s this moment of efficacy: “Yes, I showed up exactly the way I intended and this person gets me,” or, “I didn’t come across as intended, I’m so happy I get another bite at the apple in the moment!”Thinking about it in broader strokes - the effect I believe I am witnessing is being seen. People want so desperately to be seen by the people they seek to serve.If you have the opportunity in your life to reflect people back to themselves, do it.

This is more advice for me than it necessarily is for you… but it’s worth it.“Never ever wrestle with a pig. You’ll both get dirty, but the pig will enjoy it.” There’s always a more peaceful and bridge-building way.Don’t get dirty!

I read a recipe for fermenting carrots and ginger. The recipe reads to leave on the counter for 2-3 days and then refrigerate. Little did the author know that my apartment’s version of “room temperature” is a sauna. Heat plays an important role in fermentation. At the right temperature the bacteria do their magic on what it is you’re trying to change - in my case, a beet. A little warmer and the bacteria have a “Burning Man” style party in the jar and go nuts; too hot and they die. On the other hand, too cold and they sleep.Recipes are written in absolute ways, yet they don’t take into account for what’s real to you. A good reminder that nothing in our world is absolute, except the rule that “nothing is absolute.”

Google “Grounding” and you’ll discover a smörgåsbord of results around a recent health and wellness trend. the idea is that connecting to the earth and its energy is key to our wellbeing. I think the people who push this idea are on to something.In the same way that grounding to the earth promotes your wellbeing, then being ground to making the change only you can make supports your spiritual (in the broadest sense of the word) well being. We need more grounding to,Mission;Objectives and key results;Belief;Our brand’s core message;Family;Friends;Those in our core orbit;Audiences and those who financially support our work;Our Teams; and even to,Our self.Keep your feet on the ground.

I continue to love this adapted quote from Doris Kearns Goodwin’s, “Leadership in Turbulent Times.”“The inner voice that anticipates defeat is stilled by the strength of belief in the mission.” - adapted from Doris Kearns GoodwinNever forget where you are headed. Remind yourself of your goals and intended outcomes in terms so clear and vivid it’s almost as if you’ve already achieved them.That inner voice is resistance and doubt - and it’s there for a reason. Try to be friends with It and seek its counsel - but then act.Action creates progress.Progress is an outcome born from change.Outcomes help you complete the mission.Nothing happens without action.

As a human, what is actually needed for a good life?Safety from the elements, avoiding starvation, preventing attacks against us by others, being in social groups, work, sleep, play, and time for our selves.If that’s all that’s required - perhaps we stress for the wrong things? Do any of the below create a threat to our ability to seek safety from elements, avoid starvation, prevent attack, exist in a social group, etc? Wasting time;A long line at the grocery store;The person with the ultra-and-obnoxiously long Starbucks order;Drivers trying to pass you on the freeway;Family members that drive you nuts;That guy who won’t let the issue go;Bosses who are not effective communicators; and/orClients that suck.I’m going to try asking myself and my team these questions next time I (or they) get annoyed/stressed. Consider trying it for yourself. The good and simple life is well within our grasp - what keeps you from deciding to live it?

That’s the question my friend, Brian, asked me the other day.I answered, “no, I don’t.”As we continued the text thread I realized that our lives are a constant motion of death to life. Once the present turns into past it is lost forever only to live as a memory, and death of the present gives way for the future we hold in our hearts to become our present - birth.So what could It mean to feel anything about the passage of time? Here are 3-Perhaps’: If we’re saddened by the passage of time, perhaps we’re not enough present in the present. If we’re frightened by the future, perhaps we’re spending too much time not actively controlling “now.”If we’re careless and think “what’s the point” or “you only live once who cares”, perhaps we ought to reflect more on where we came from and what we might become.Final thought“Time passes, and as the present dies and becomes the past the future is born.” - Me… I think.HT and with much thanks to my friend, Brian!

You’ve produced much more than you realize.Your work is likely far better than you originally thought it was.And if you stop to listen, you’ll discover that it touched more people than you intended.You deserve to feel exactly as you feel after that reflection.Enjoy.

I played for a brunch today in Lake Geneva - solo piano.

When I play solo piano, I realize that my job is simple: create an atmosphere for special things to happen.

Any musician can tell you that it’s not the most artistically fulfilling work - and that’s not what the work is for.

I found inspiration watching people sit back, sip their champagne, and look out upon the lake and I could imagine them thinking to themselves: this is exactly how I pictured this moment.