As we progress along this review of the Five Keys to Mastery from George Leonard’s book Mastery, we transition from instruction to practice. In its simplest definition, practice is the verb that captures the act of performing the instruction received over and over again. Practice has a deeper meaning as well and here it captures the integration of the path you are traveling into your life. What does this mean? I am an equestrian and have …
Have you seen it? Do you know where I left my copy? Can I borrow yours or have they made it an e-book yet? You haven’t heard of this book? Why it is one of the greatest reads and I can’t believe I misplaced mine! If only it were that easy! In our early years in life, instruction books are provided. They come in the form of textbooks and curriculums, progress reports and reports cards …
With the recent discussion of mastery in these messages, you need to know about the book of the same title written by George Leonard. I was first introduced to this little gem of a book and the keys to mastery in 2011 when I took a “master class” on coaching. In the book, Mr. Leonard identifies the Five Master Keys to Mastery: Instruction – the coach and other forms of instructions such as reading, video, …
The Masters golf tournament provides a great example of talent in action. The name of the tournament represents what it means to the sport of golf and its participants. What does it mean to be a master of something? How do we get to that state of Mastery? Perhaps a better understanding comes from looking at the stages to Mastery. Edit TALENT STRENGTH MASTERY Natural ability or aptitude State of being strong-physical power …
From the beginning he led. Four rounds of the most competitive golf and Jordan Spieth remained in the lead at the end of each, the first wire-to-wire Masters win since Raymond Floyd’s in 1976. He won not by a little but by a lot, tying Tiger Woods’ 1997 score record at 18-under, setting a record for the most birdies during the Masters by making 28, and became the second-youngest person to win the Masters. What …
Last week’s message suggested that you should be looking for a magic mirror to help you see who you are and how you can make the change you want to see. I hate to bust the fairy tale bubble but you are mature enough to take it. There is no magic mirror. Then how do you discover the truth about who you are? Begin with the knowledge of your uniqueness. You are truly one-in a …
Mirror, mirror on the wall… I am not who I see at all. This is not quite the fairy tale line* we all know. In the fairy tale, the reflection gives the answer that is sought, for a period of time, and then the answer changes when true beauty is seen. What if you could find a mirror that speaks the truth about you? When you want something different in your life, for something to …
Highlight, underline, highlight, underline, dog-ear, dog-ear, dog-ear. Now, Discover Your Strengths is the most demarcated book in my bookshelves. Here’s why: my most commonly occurring pattern of thought, feeling or behavior is that focusing on strengths is the way to stimulate personal and group excellence. Nothing is more powerful for me than to witness the transformation of something, and especially someone, from strong to superb. It takes just as much effort to take something from …
Over the past month I have addressed a few different subjects yet all had a common thread. Do you see how they are connected? Here are the links to check them out: Socrates is Still in Business Needs to be Known Getting Naked What Other People Think You might be concerned about what other people think if you are getting naked and have needs to be known. But you know me better than to be …
At a recent dinner with a friend, she expressed that maybe after 20 plus years of working in her field perhaps she wanted to do something different. That it would energize her and be fun to explore another side of life both professionally and personally. But how would she reinvent herself? What would be the steps? Of greater concern, how would she replace the income she had become accustomed to? Another professional colleague asked a …
So often in my work as a coach, I hear “what will people think” as an excuse for a client not doing what they truly want to do. It is not usually iterated that clearly at first; it takes the form of a different excuse. Yet, with a little probing, what I find is a fear of what others will think of them. We have all felt this fear at some point in our lives; …
Given the furor over the movie Fifty Shades of Grey, you may wonder what a review of a book titled Getting Naked is doing in a professional coach’s repertoire. Because we all do it every day and if we can embrace it physically then we can embrace it mentally and become a stronger leader. “I have to get naked to be a better leader?” You’ve imagined an audience in their underwear to overcome presentation jitters. …
The great philosopher Socrates said that “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.” Oh great one, then please do tell how we come to know ourselves. Fortunately, this is where the passage of time works in our favor. It is estimated that Socrates lived between the years of 470 to 399 BC. The passage of so many centuries has allowed the human race to discover more and more about just who we are. The field …
Last week I attended a breakfast meeting of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). How I came to be at that meeting is an interesting story of connection but you’ll have to wait to hear that one. What stood out for me at that meeting is hearing, yet again, a theme that has been playing in my consciousness in recent months. The topic of the meeting was a panel discussion on “Moderating Board Performance …
You knew this was coming. The week couldn’t get by without a reference to the Super Bowl. What a contest and a display of excellence in action. The game was truly a battle between two great teams. Much hype, and even controversy this year, proceeds this annual show-down and the game was worthy of it. I don’t profess to understand all the ins and outs of play calling and execution, yet it was easy to …
If feel good, niceties and political correctness are important to you, then read no further. Gene Simmons’ book Me, Inc. (yes, that Gene Simmons of KISS) will offend your delicate sensibilities. If instead you are interested in a “tell it like it is, it ain’t all necessarily nice, but here’s what you need to know book,” then read on. This is the most recent of a total of eleven books that Gene has published and …
Gray skies, rainy days and cold weather can truly put a damper on our resolve to do things differently. Trapped inside and perhaps slightly depressed due to a lack of sunshine, we find our enthusiasm waning for doing things differently. This is week three for New Year’s resolutions and often the week they fade away. How can you strengthen your resolve and carry on? First, review your resolutions. Do they inspire you? Or do they …
Getting outside of our usual mode of operating can yield additional insights or reinforce things we already know. Driving to the airport multiple times or baking Christmas cookies are two examples that hit home for me over the holidays. For the past several years, I have baked treats of some sort for our neighbors for the holidays. I am not much for cooking yet I do enjoy baking and look forward to the process of …
Multiple trips to the airport over the holidays yielded some additional insight into a popular topic this time of year, goal-setting. Follow me on this one…you’ll see the connection in a minute. Cruising along Houston’s crowded freeways I had several occasions to witness drivers attempting to merge into fast moving freeway traffic from the entrance ramp. The most dangerous of these were not the ones accelerating quickly; it was the timid few attempting to creep …
Thinking you might be looking for a good read over the holidays or need some last minute gift ideas, I’ve pulled together a list of Top Ten Best Books. Regular readers of this blog will recognize some familiar titles. The insight in these books is timeless and timely! There are a few new surprises as well and some that have reviews forthcoming. So peruse away and lose yourself in a good book over the holidays! …