SHAUN NESTOR

Take a moment today to find something to be thankful for for each person who crosses your path. If you’re a customer service representative, be thankful for each person who is calling: “thank you that I have the opportunity to help this person.” Be thankful for your co-worker, spouse, partner, trash can emptier, or construction zone flagger. In the moment, you may not realize how much they are making your life easier; a smoother commute, a clean workstation, or sharing the workload. The practice won’t take but a second, but the habit and impact can last a lifetime. And you may be surprised by who benefits the most.

What are you passionate about doing? What is keeping you from doing that? In an age where everything is instant, and distractions use powerful psychology against us, it is imperative that we are intentional about our attention. Whether you want to write a book, launch a business, or just fold the laundry, take a hard look at what is distracting you from moving forward with your goal. Don’t let the meaningless replace the meaningful. Take control and starve that distraction. Your purpose is much bigger than some may have you to believe. 

It said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. I think that could be expanded to include doing the same thing over and over, but not looking for a way to do it more efficiently. Have you ever found yourself repeating a process over and over? Especially at work? Recently, I realized that I was repeatedly doing a task which required 3 to 4 hours each iteration. In truth, much of the content created in those precious hours were boilerplate. Yet it took me years to realize that I could create a mega-template that would satisfy the needs of those who…

Having a connection is critical to the success of the reputation lending and borrowing economy. According to Stoute, “shared values are a critical part of how these things create new reputational capital. Whenever you try to do things without shared values, it does not work; the public sees it, but it looks like money is driving everything. When reputation borrowing or lending takes place, it only works when the impression created is that no money is being exchanged. People have to believe that it is being done with Goodwill, that it is being done for the right reasons, and not because of commerce.” The Reputation Game by David Waller Rupert…

There’s an important distinction between the news and tabloids. Ideally, one is made up of facts and substantiated evidence while the other is created entirely for entertainment value. Perusing through today’s headlines, it is difficult to discern what is fact and what is fiction. Modern headlines are specifically designed to elicit an emotional response and nothing else. …except perhaps a click. The strategically worded headlines of today’s media exist only to cause a response and strengthen the confirmation bias. It is not meant to inform, educate, to provide well-balanced discussion. When we get our news from such thin sources – often the headlines alone – it is easy to believe…

Each day, I run into people with unique experiences and expertise. At first thought, it may be hard to think of a topic or two that you have an expertise in, but I promise you: each of us possesses in-depth knowledge that others wish they had. Once you can accept that, you must then overcome a falsehood called “imposter syndrome”. We all have a fear of being seen as a fraud or outed as an imposter. But When we realize that each human battles this to a degree, we can take control of this misleading belief. Who can be made better by hearing your story? Who can hit their goals…

There’s a careful balance between being paralyzed by analysis and counting the cost before moving forward. General George S. Patton Jr. said, “A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.” How true in our lives. Certainly, it is wise to know the cost of the journey before we embark. However, when we allow the analysis phase to hold us back, we often end up taking no action at all. Be wise. Count the cost. But also choose to move forward. Taking action will reveal options that analysis will never find. What are you paralyzed by? What are you allowing to hold you back as…

Are you overwhelmed? Overwhelmed as in too many choices. Too many checkboxes on the to do list. Too many emails awaiting your response. Too many priorities begging for your attention. Today I was struck with the conceptual antonym of being overwhelmed. When framed differently, consider that you’re actually blessed with choice. Imagine how many others are working hard right now to be in your exact position. Instead of viewing “too much” as a negative, consider that you are experiencing an abundance. How can you adjust your perspective to see the blessing before you? Now, instead of being overwhelmed, you can proactively choose which path to pursue.

Trust is the currency upon all relationships are built. It is made up of tiny deposits that span a lifetime, but can bankrupt in an instant of poor judgement. As leaders, it is important that we start with trust. We must know the ramifications of our actions – not only to satisfy ourselves – but understand the perception of our actions through the lens of those we lead. Leaders do what they say, and say what they do. We accrue trust through transparency, communication, and thoughtfulness. We lose trust through deceit, silence, and selfishness. Leaders don’t gamble with the trust bank, instead, seek ways to make frequent deposits. Whether you…