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In espionage movies, government agencies put their spies on a need to know basis. Their clearance to access sensitive data will gets restricted because it’s not necessary for them to conduct their mission. Computer operating systems have something similar with a feature called the discretionary access control mechanism. This determines whether a user is granted access to a certain file. Considering how many different pieces of data are dynamically…

Entrepreneurs start businesses so we can spend eighty hours a week avoiding having to work forty hours a week for someone else. And that doesn’t even guarantee that our business will see any returns. How absurd is that? But this is our personality. We’re rebellious, individualistic and antiauthoritarian people. Independent souls who desire our own piece of ground. Think of it this way. If you were the kind of…

In the beginning of your creative journey, when you don’t yet have the inner confidence to believe in yourself, and lots of people are telling you no, you need trusted voices. You need to surround yourself with people who believe in your yes, like close friends and family members and mentors who know you best. Everyone else you can pretty much ignore. In fact, if you don’t, you might…

When mistakes are made and failures are met, compassion is always a better choice than criticizing, chastising or condemning. Not only because it’s gentler in the moment, but also because it’s useful in the future. When we can get to know these imperfect parts of ourselves with as much kindness as possible, it’s like taking out an insurance policy on our hearts. One that protects us in the event…

Typing tests measure the number of words you can accurately process in a minute. The average professional typist reaches speeds of about fifty to eighty words per minute, although certain positions can require up to a hundred. This topic has been on my mind because several of my coworkers recently had a friendly office competition to see who could score the highest. Definitely fun to watch, although the test…

Should we add a few more chapters? Do we need one last round of copy edits? Is there anyone else on the team who can review the manuscript? Do we send a few copies to our clients for feedback? Can we wait until more data comes out that will further prove our point? Does the graphic art need another set of eyes? Sorry, but the answer is no. Absolutely…

One beautiful feature of adulthood is that we can make intentional choices about important things like tempo, rhythm, cadence, pace, velocity and trajectory. Instead of being snagged and troubled by the whirlpools of other people’s emotions and agendas, we can be the ones who dictate our sense of balance, proportion and efficiency. Our life becomes what we decide to make of it. We are responsible for its dispersion. Pilates,…

Did you ever fail a test in school, even when you studied for weeks and knew the material cold and got plenty of sleep the night before and ate a good breakfast the morning of? It might not have been a competence issue. Leary’s groundbreaking research dubbed this the curse of the self. He explained that one of the reasons some students often perform poorly on tests is not…

Anyone can be fast and strong. The real question is, how do you give other people speed and power? How are you adding energy to the system in a way that builds momentum? This is one of the most understated forms of generosity on the planet. In a team environment, when you can find a way to earn a reputation as the person whose work enables and elevates everyone…

People with high emotional intelligence know how to manage their emotions. They can see when they are thinking negatively and head it off at the pass, rather than allow it to toxify the environment and make people not want to be around them. They know how to accept reality and respond to what occurs, rather than complaining about it and letting negativity eclipse their ability to see all of…