One of the more difficult, and important, things for us to do as adults is to understand that most of the things that happen to us, or around us, are not personal. In fact, despite sometimes being directed toward us, they often have very little to do with us at all. It’s tempting to believe that the events unfolding around us have been thoughtfully crafted to influence us or designed to upset us and throw us off our game. Most…
Last week, we asked you to write your Hero’s Story. If you didn’t pause to reflect on your heroic deeds, be sure to check out our previous post here. Knowing your Hero’s story is important! And trust us, you have one. As important as knowing and claiming your Hero’s Story is knowing and respecting your kryptonite (that which causes you to lose your power and effectiveness). This week, we would like you to identify your kryptonite. Kryptonite is a (fictional)…
Like Superman, you have a Hero’s Story (one that illuminates your strengths, your courage, and your extraordinary feats), and like Superman you also have your own version of Kryptonite (that causes you to lose your effectiveness). Superman’s only advantage over you (besides the obvious cape thing!) is that someone took the time to tell his hero’s story. Superman’s hero story is filled with deeds that seem heroic to us, but to him, he is just using the gifts and talents that came…
We’ve all had that moment. The one when our inner critic decides to go all Rambo on us and fill us with self-doubt. I witnessed just such an event recently; an executive client was discussing a new strategic direction when WHAM, out of the blue, she stopped talking and looked utterly defeated. I suspected her inner critic had hijacked her thinking. When I asked her what was going on she muttered, “Maybe I have no business running an organization.” Just…
Courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to act despite it. This week, we would like you to notice how courageous you have been in your life. Too often, because we felt afraid, we dismiss our acts of courage. And yet, that is precisely what the definition of courage is – the ability to take action on your (or someone else’s) behalf despite being afraid. Think of all of the things that make us (as humans) afraid. Afraid…
We know that you know this but … for you to be your best you need to be properly fueled. Life is generally better if you have taken the time to fuel yourself emotionally, spiritually and physically. Many of us are more thoughtful about how we fuel our cars than we are about how we fuel ourselves. Working with people who strive to be high performers, we see over and over again, how critical it is to pay attention to…
In our work as executive coaches and consultants our goal is to help people find direction, meaning and satisfaction in their lives. A key ingredient to living a more satisfying life is being a person of character. The Oxford Essential Dictionary defines character as “the collective qualities or characteristics, especially mental and moral, that distinguish a person; moral strength.” In the United States, there is a sense that personality – charm, a quick tongue, fashion or style – is the…
Good Morning. It is time to wake up, not just to your day, but also to your passion, your power, and your life. Many of us walk around tired, stressed-out, and numbed to our moments. We are running as fast as we can, taking care of family, work and friends, and barely taking a breath. This week’s assignment is to carve 5 – 15 minutes out of each day, and do something that will wake you up and make your…
It’s that time of year again, the time when we suggest that EVERYONE pull out their resume, dust it off, and update it to reflect who you are today. Make sure that your summary of talents and accomplishments reflects the skills you want to offer moving forward, delete old/irrelevant jobs, and consider if there is a way to include something about yourself that adds a little color and brings you to life on the page. Then print a clean hard…
We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with leaders, teams, and individuals who are passionate about growing in their leadership and in their ability to create cultures of psychological safety and engagement.
Carpenter Smith Consulting is a Women Business Enterprise, Oregon Cert ID 7047.
