Posts by Mary Ellen Clagett
Stretchhhhhhh
Every morning I sit at my desk and watch the squirrels tackle the “squirrel proof” bird feeder. Their acrobatics rival any of our world-class gymnasts … hanging, twisting, jumping, falling … stretching. They are lessons in desire, creativity, learning, endurance and resilience. Their desire to conquer the bird feeder is greater than any fear that…
Read More“I Can” is Good, “We Can” is Better
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what motivates and demotivates us to make changes. Often when I’m in this frame of mind, I will pick up a book and be struck by words that relate to the matter at hand. This happened while reading Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen…
Read MoreBefore I Die
The last time I was in London, I came across a giant chalkboard with the words “Before I die …” The board was filled with people’s thoughts – some happy, some painful, some sad, some aspirational, some inspirational. For all who wrote, I think it helped to release it on the board. There is power…
Read MoreExactly Enough Time
Do you feel like there just isn’t enough time to fit “play” into your life? The “To Do” list is overflowing, deadlines loom, and friends and family clamor for attention. I was feeling that way when I read a quote by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.: “Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly…
Read MoreLiving Your Dreams
Last week, Wally Funk joined Jeff Bezos in space. There’s been a lot of press about how she was part of the Mercury 13; but there is so much more to her story. At 17, she crushed two vertebrae in a skiing accident and was told she would never walk again. She didn’t consider that…
Read MoreValued Lessons
Our experiences shape who we are. Have you ever reflected on what makes you the leader you are today? As I look back, I have plenty of “real life” experiences — and there are times when experiential learning had a tremendous impact on my growth. As I reflected on the leadership lessons which had the…
Read MoreFlourishing in Life
While clearing the clutter in my office, I came across a piece of paper with the word flourish written across it. Underneath were the words “to grow intellectually, socially and emotionally and to translate this growth into action, habit, and purpose.” It stopped me dead in my tracks. I’m a great believer in lessons appearing…
Read MoreHit <PAUSE>
Talking to peers and co-workers, it seems most of us are experiencing a mixture of relief and fear when we look forward to what’s next. That’s natural. And, there’s a lot to be learned if we take the opportunity to hit <PAUSE> and examine our thoughts around what’s been happening and what is possible. In…
Read MoreExpanding Your Influence
How do you expand your influence in today’s climate? It seems everywhere we turn we are confronted with contradictory information and opinions set in stone. We can even have a few of our own. It’s a challenge to feel connected as we tiptoe around potentially volatile subjects. And, if we aren’t connected, we have little…
Read MoreWhat’s Next?
I was walking my new rescue dog, Maggie, this morning when I ran into a new neighbor walking his dog. He commented on how much he was looking forward to things returning to “normal”. While I agreed that I was anticipating the day we would be meeting each other face to face again, I didn’t…
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