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Humans have always been exquisite tool makers. Roughly two million years ago, our species first learned how to use objects to extend their ability to modify features of surrounding environments. Such crude but useful implements became the critical step in the evolution of mankind. How else do you think we climbed to the top of the food chain? Certainly wasn’t our rugged good looks or winning personality. But from…

There’s an entire strategy of product development centered around one simple fact about human beings. People don’t want to do hard things. They want things to be easy. And if companies can launch an affordable product that minimizes some portion of the crap people have to do, but don’t want to, then those who can afford it will pay them for the trouble. Now, from a consumer innovation standpoint,…

Debating whether or not history repeats itself isn’t the best use of our energy. Because both sides of the argument are eminently provable. Eternal recurrence theory states that the currents of history repeat themselves in an infinite loop. Nietzsche theorized that same events will continue to occur in exactly the same way, over and over again, for eternity. What was once considered outdated will become trendy once more. Like…

Let’s begin by accepting the fact that control is largely an illusion. The human ego tries to preserve control so it can manage the randomness, uncertainty and chaos of life and death. But we live on a thirteen septillion pound rock that is rotating at a thousand miles an hour. To suggest that we have any shred of control is mathematically unfeasible. But all astrophysical and existential realities aside,…

Whether it’s journaling, meditation, reflecting, talking, exercising, reading, whatever, the purpose is initiating physical, mental or spiritual movement. Whatever causes you to discover thoughts or feelings that were previously hidden or unconscious. For some, that might mean focusing their attention on a particular object or work, so that they create space for their thoughts and emotions to surface. For others, that might mean creating environment that allows your mind…

Needs are core human motivators. They’re conditions necessary for life to thrive. Opportunities for improvement. Gaps between current conditions and desired outcomes. And unfortunately, too many of us are disconnected from our needs. Maybe because of cultural influences. Societal expectations overshadow our true desires. Or because of busyness and lifestyle. We are to overcommitted and distracted to leave time for inner exploration. Another reason we’re disconnected from our needs…

Let’s play a game. Below is a collection of famous quotations from people who lacked humility. See if you can guess who said it. Earn bonus points by labeling that statement with the corresponding category on the continuum. Either left for awareness and openness; center for growth and reflection; or right for empowerment and appreciation. Everything that can be invented has been invented. I know more about isis than…

If you were elected into the hall of fame of your profession or industry, would you accept the invitation? Or would you decline? I recently read an article about one of my favorite baseball players who was uneasy with this honor. Freese claimed that he always felt somewhat uncomfortable being lumped in with the franchise’s other legendary players. Even though he won multiple mvp awards, and arguably hit the…

How much difficulty is normal? Is it realistic to think that things should be easier for us, or is our current level of resistance par for the course? Tough question. Because struggle is relative and subjective. We all have respective strengths, weaknesses and circumstances. Some difficulties are minor and easily overcome, while others require substantial effort and resilience. One man’s marathon is another man’s warmup. But it doesn’t matter…

Why are we so afraid of repeating ourselves? Maybe it’s our fear of monotony. The fundamental human craving for novelty. It could also be our allergy to stagnation and natural inclination for growth. Or perhaps the terror of being unoriginal? Ain’t nothing scarier than not being special. Then again, there’s also the anxiety of regret. If we repeat certain actions or choices, we could miss out on trying something…