If you were born before the turn of the millennium, you probably remember the United States Army’s slogan, “Be All You Can Be”. Just reading it here has probably started the jingle reverberating in your head! Let me suggest a better way to “Be All You Can Be”: that is to quit treating any opposing … Read more
Each of us has a story about who we are, the work we do, the people we love, or even why we arrive late to the office. We live each day according to these stories, seeing and believing the information that reinforces them and ignoring the rest. Our stories are created to offer comfort, reassurance, … Read more
On my desk is a glass paperweight with an important question carved on one side. What would you do if you had no fear? it says. Seeing the inquiry, a friend asked for my response, and without hesitation I answered, “Give up perfectionism.” She casually suggested that that would be a good New Year’s resolution, … Read more
Five years ago I gave a speech to a group of women engineers discussing my theories of ‘gender energy’. Before stepping on stage I felt some trepidation that this group of scientifically trained women would have a different specific notion of energy than what I was proposing. The idea that there are energy patterns which … Read more
Women who tell their stories learn about themselves and learn from one another. They become more confident and feel free to forge their own path, throwing off external expectations. When Reese Witherspoon shared stories about her movie career at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last month it was obvious that she is one such … Read more
Great leaders are storytellers. Consider the biblical character Solomon, who was regarded as the world’s most enlightened man solely due to his plentiful arsenal of stories. President Lincoln cemented his position as one of the most admired leaders of all time by eradicating slavery. He aligned people not by his analysis, but by his stories. … Read more
Women always seem to be time-starved with a longer list of things to do than hours in a day. It seems everybody wants a commitment: the school is pressing for parents to join a student excursion; the swim team is begging for scorekeepers; the dog needs shots; and the boss is demanding a lengthy report … Read more
If your life is in turmoil with a bad boss, a hurtful relationship or a money-losing investment, take comfort in the fact that the adversity has a purpose- it can bring you peace. While that sounds counter-intuitive, Arianna Huffington explains it in her recently released book Thrive, “there is a hidden purpose –and alchemy- in … Read more
Spring always feels like the beginning of a new year, a fresh start. It’s the time we clean our closets to get rid of things that no longer work, hoping to add something bright and colourful. By following that same practice with our behaviors we can live a more expansive and rewarding life. Start by … Read more
The moment the first spring crocus finds its way through the earth’s brown crust and stretches toward the sun, we feel the power of renewal. Things may have been ‘snowed over’ for a while but no one shows us renewal better than Mother Nature. As women, our situation is not dissimilar. Our days are covered … Read more
