Richard G. Riccardi

For those who prefer to think rather than be told, weekly messages crafted to spur thought, broaden perspective, and foster growth.

Be prepared to reexamine your views on subjects like hypocrisy, generosity, fear, forgiveness, sex, faith, and any other area warranting sincere reflection.

Join the list:

Susan O’Brien
    Susan O’Brien

    Founder, Hail Merry

    I encourage everyone to read Richard's purposeful words. His writing reminds me of Ekhart Tolle. Richard is becoming his own master of contemporary contemplation.

    Chi Nguyen
      Chi Nguyen

      Founder, Purpose Tea

      There have been so many times Richard's words...have gotten me through the toughest days along this entrepreneurial journey. If you're looking for weekly inspiration, sign up for 52 Steps Forward. You'll thank me later!

      Robb Ziegler
        Robb Ziegler

        Founder, curiate

        Richard crafts a rare combination of gentle, purposeful, meaningful, and incisive thought within each of these pages. I'm left not only with different ways of looking at things, but with means to be a better me.

        William Bigelow
          William Bigelow

          COO, Blount Fine Foods

          Richard’s subject matter and writing style are the perfect combination to provoke and inspire new ways of thinking. I encourage you to read 52 Steps Forward so you can become similarly inspired.

          Recent Posts

          Not What You Think

          The Groundwork In previous years, I was reluctant to write about this topic because it is the other subject, besides politics, that you are not supposed to discuss. But it is too important, and I hope you trust me enough to hear (read) me out. In my prior years’ posts, I realized that I had placed too much emphasis on

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          Birds of a Feather

          Flock Together Noted author and motivational speaker Jim Rohn is correct: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” While I have previously addressed the importance of our associations, this year I want to ensure I have not overstated causation to the point of ignoring the more significant correlation. Moms use the Rohn principle

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          Yes, Self-Centered

          Your initial reaction to this title is that it is a criticism, an insult. We need to distinguish between self-centeredness, being grounded by your values, and selfishness, when your actions are indulgent to the point of being unnecessarily detrimental to others.   Self-determination By definition, self-worth can only be judged by oneself. This issue is our reference point. We have in

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          Warden or Teacher?

          We spend fruitless time looking in the rearview mirror, ruminating over things we cannot change, and futilely hoping for a different past. Self-inflicted Sometimes we use the past as an anchor. We think we have been someone or someway for so long that it is our destiny. Remarkably, we do not have the same attitude towards ourselves as we do

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          Keep Pedaling

          Following last week’s post, I realized I needed to make one clarification and add a companion concept. Another Way You may need to keep moving forward so that a single insurmountable obstacle does not jeopardize your entire endeavor. Sometimes, you need to flow like a river and navigate around obstructions.  An entrepreneur told me he has been unsuccessful in obtaining

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          Quit? Of Course!

          In our hustle culture, they tell us never to quit on our dreams, lest we give up right before achieving success. They proclaim Winston Churchill’s famous words, “…never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in…” but omit these words said in the same breath: “except to convictions

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