To continue my series helping adults move “Beyond the Elementary,” in order to overcome stress and acheive success, here's lesson #3. 3. Celebrate more Are you a party animal? Apparently the students at UW Madison are and have earned the award of America's #1 party school (we're so proud). As Jason jokes, the folks handing out these awards have obviously not spent much time in a kindergarten classroom lately. Five and six-year-olds know how to celebrate! …
Live Passionately
Eeyore or Tigger?
As I sat typing on Daisy, my Mac, waiting for the car to get some fresh oil, I couldn't help but smile to myself at the psychology lesson that was unfolding right before my eyes. Folks were coming in to drop off their cars for everything from oil changes to big money repairs. To say that "attitude is everything" at the mechanics is an understatement. First a thirty-something woman came in, very Eeyore-like. Although she wasn't elderly, she sure seemed to be moving at a pace that would get her some significant discounts at Arby's. Her presence was gloomy and grey, just like America's …
A Cheap Way to Fight Office Adultitis
I have never worked in a cubicle (I'm not counting my nightmares), but I have worked in quite a few jobs in which I swear the hands on the time clock were engineered to go backwards every few hours. Fortunately, those jobs were stepping stones for me; catalysts that would inspire me to never slip into a career that bored me. So far, so good. If you're stuck in a job that started out as a stepping stone but has morphed into a well-worn rut, you may want to take a long hard look at your life. Seriously, follow those last three links and read up. For those of you perfectly content sticking …
Do You Have That Spark?
This summer I have been inspired by a bunch of strangers who have been consistently working their butts off while following their hearts. Who are these persistent dreamers? The contestants from the reality show, "On the Lot." This is the first refreshing reality show I've seen. I know, usually refreshing and reality do not simultaneously describe a reality show, but this one has been different. Reailty shows usually have a lot of drama, but the drama in this show is real. It's the natural drama that comes when passionate people are working hard towards the accomplishment of their …
Finding Your Passion and Purpose
"I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up." This is a common reaction from people, especially after hearing our speaking programs and realizing that to truly live with a childlike heart (aka Adultitis-free) one must be pursuing his/her passion. The next statement is usually, "I'm not even sure what my passion is." To quote Dwight Schrute from The Office... "False." You know what it is. You may need to uncover it, but it's there somewhere inside of you. It's often buried under layers of hurt and disappointment, or it's safely hidden so deeply protected from fear and self-doubt. …
The Ice Cream Man
Top 5 reasons why being an "Ice Cream Man" would be the BEST job in the world. 1. Free ice cream treats aplenty. (Tip: Get your free ice cream here, without having to make it your career.) 2. The jolly tunes. 3. Making kids smile all day long. 4. The freedom to drive around, wherever you want, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. 5. Living the "American Dream," and embracing the entreprenial mindset. Top 5 reasons why being an "Ice Cream Man" would be the absolute WORST job in the world. …
I Wish Steve Carell Was My Uncle
Unknowingly something happens between the ages of 25 and 45 where you think you have to be "more serious." I was talking with someone last week who said that the parenting years are the hardest because you have so many responsibilities and have to be the "adult," so that life can remain sane. Ironically, all of the efforts to keep the scale balanced leaves you to one harsh reality...you're now officially boring. "It is our responsibilities, not ourselves, that we should take seriously." -Peter Ustinov No one starts out wanting to be boring, it just kind of happens. And no one wants to admit …
Find Your Gift
Last week Jason and I flew to San Diego for the National Speakers Association Annual Convention. What an amazing week! So many lessons learned, I'm still digesting it all. Jason and I modeled the Adultitis-free lifestyle by leaving our "business casual" attire in our closets at home, collecting dust. We instead wore the new limited edition t-shirt adorning the Adultitis definition and inviting others to "Get Tested and Get Cured." They were a huge hit! Fellow passers-by would come up and ask us about "Adultitis." The shirts started many conversations. It didn't matter that we broke the …
Stop Drinking the Punch
When's the last time you danced? Not a slow dance with your honey at a coworker's wedding, I'm talking about really dancing. Kick'in your feet up, getting sweaty, not caring about what people might think- kind of dancing? When Jason and I were at Epcot recently, the United Kingdom section had a Beatles tribute band in the evening. It was a hoot! People of all ages, various walks of life, from all different parts of the world, gathered around with smiles on their faces and enjoying the classic tunes. Ironically the people who most likely had never heard the songs before were the ones …
I’ll Have What They’re Having
Last night I had a chance to partake in a little fireworks action. Kim and I have an ongoing debate; she'd prefer they'd shoot 'em all off in in the span of about 10 seconds. I, on the other hand, like when they're spread out a little bit so I can savor them, you know, like a fine wine. (But not too much; my hometown liked spreading them out so much you could read a few pages of the dictionary between each explosion.) …