Starting Off on the Right Foot

Hiding in Plain Sight You can cast a wider net since specific subject matter expertise or a close personal relationship is not required. A mentor may be a member of your cycling group, a former business colleague, a fellow supporter of your favorite charity, etc. A mentor is not a prospective client, as the possibility […]
The Invaluable Relationship

Stating the Case It is simple. Mentorship enables growth you cannot achieve alone. Once you recognize its value, you find it is only appropriate for two “select” groups: those who want more out of life and those who want to give more to life. The Association for Talent Development defines mentoring as a reciprocal relationship […]
A Stumbling Block

Our Natural Tendency Scarcity and abundance are present in every situation; our perspective decides which prevails. I feel like the country and western singer who introduces his next song by mentioning he sees a lot of himself in it and “you might too.” Fortunately, it is an upbeat tune with a hopeful ending. Life encourages […]
Accomplishment

Ahh, if we could stop at peace and joy, what a wonderful world it would be. Not really; we are made for more. Our moms were right; each of us possesses a unique talent meant to be used. For these reasons, a fulfilling life requires accomplishment – the ambition to do something accompanied by the […]
Joy

Components Joy is not a state of happiness but a condition like peace that exists independent of circumstances. Joy is a conscious decision supported by gratitude and attitude. To begin with, everyone reading this post on their electronic device over the internet can be grateful their physiological and safety needs from Maslow’s Hierarchy are met. […]
Peace

A fulfilling life starts with peace, a sense of calmness permeating your being that overcomes circumstances and distractions. Absent peace, it is more difficult to experience joy fully or obtain accomplishment. Peace may be present, but it is not toes in warm sand listening to the crashing waves or soaking in the majestic scenery from […]
The Fulfilling Life

After five months, it is past time to explain the subject of the 52 Steps Forward blog – pursuing a fulfilling life. This omission became evident when a faithful reader, colleague, and friend revised his LinkedIn profile to add he is pursuing a meaningful life. I chided him about his word choice, and he pointed […]
Ready, Set, Go!

Many of us start the day leaping out of bed as if shot out of a cannon. Running through our minds is a myriad of obligations and we send our brains into overdrive by checking phone messages and “consulting” social media. We also know how we start something is typically how we do it. If […]
Crotchety & Curmudgeonly

I come by it honestly as entering the sixth decade moves me into the province of the crotchety and curmudgeonly. This milestone inspires reflection but not the creation of a “what I must do before I die” list. Nor am I about to deliver the typical old man’s speech, but this message is more personal […]
Resist the Temptation to Be Virtuous(?)

What do I Mean? It is too easy to pursue the avalanche of “opportunities” coming our way from within, family, work, and friends that take us away from doing what we previously determined to be most important. We discover the most troublesome enemies of accomplishing our goals are not obvious time wasters like social media […]