Leadership Solutions

How to Manage Uncertainty

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You can minimize uncertainty with the following:

1) Friends

Spend time with people who treat you with kindness and respect.

Invite them to visit. Or ask them to join you for a walk, a meal, or other activity. Or just call them for a friendly conversation.

Time with friends connects you with humanity.

2) Kindness

Show kindness to everyone, including strangers.

For example, thank the person who bags your groceries, hold a door so someone else can go first, pick up something that someone dropped. Drive respectfully (and safely).

In general, seek simple, easy ways to be kind.

Acts of kindness help you feel good about yourself.

3) Action

Find small tasks that you can easily complete.

For example, you might tidy up your desktop. Or organize a bookshelf. Or plant a flower.

Make a plan for each day based on realistic expectations. Then focus on your most important priorities.

Progress creates a sense of achievement.

4) Gratitude

Find reasons to be grateful for everything and anything.

Write a list of everything that is good in your life. Start with something basic, such as, "I'm breathing" and then continue. 

Gratitude lifts your spirits.

5) Volunteer

Volunteer for activities where you will be appreciated.

First, consider what you enjoy doing. And then find an organization or group that could use that type of service.

For example, you could help at a local library, nature center, or garden.

Service provides a sense of purpose.

6) Exercise

Make time to move your body.

Most simply, go for a walk. Or join a health club. Or exercise at home, perhaps by following an on-line program.

Of course, be good to yourself. Honor your body: It will tell you what's helpful and when to stop. Start slowly and build carefully.

Exercise helps you feel stronger and more powerful.

7) Yourself

Take care of yourself.

Eat healthy foods, get enough rest, and think good thoughts.

Treat yourself as if you are your very best friend.

Self care gives you more energy.

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Find ways to be kind at: 27 Ways to Show Kindness

Proud Bird

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This young bird is proud of its relatives.

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Mourning Dove, Juvenile

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One of them was featured in a recent blog post.

Read the post at: Simple Answers

Walking Through Pain

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I'm better now.

But in 2018 I hurt: My legs hurt, my hips hurt, my back hurt.

Doctors told me this was caused by arthritis and pinched nerves in my back.

In late January 2019, I decided to try walking. So I downloaded the Pedometer++ app for my iPhone.

Then I set a daily goal of 7,500 steps.

And now came the critical part: Go for a walk.

So I put on my walking shoes, stepped out the front door, and closed the door.

That left one choice: Start walking.

I limped to the sidewalk. And then stopped.

The pain was so bad that I stood there for minutes, wondering if I should give up and go back in the house.

But a voice deep inside, shouted, "Keep going."

So I began walking (limping, actually).

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Step by painful step.

After about ten minutes the pain began to subside a little.

And I finished the walk.

Then I went for a walk the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that.

Update: As of Sept. 15, 2019, I have met that goal of walking at least 7,500 steps every day for 233 consecutive days.

I walked in the house while it was raining. I walked up and down the hallway in a hotel. I even walked 7,500 steps while riding Amtrak. Yes, I walked back and forth on the train while it was chugging along.

Now, I'm about 80% pain free.

I hope you realize there's more to this story than overcoming pain.

This shows the power of:

1) Setting a goal for a specific, realistic action that you can control.

2) Supporting that goal with a means of keeping score.

3) Taking the first step.

4) Being persistent and creative in overcoming obstacles.

Consider: What single step can you take today toward an achievement?

Success Tip: Courageous Question

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This impressed me.

I was shopping at Lowes.

When I told an employee that I was pleased with the service, he pointed to a woman standing at the end of the aisle and said, "Tell my boss."

So I introduced myself and described my positive experience.

And she responded by asking, "What can we do better?"

Imagine this: She asked for feedback.

I told her that I admire her courage asking for what might be criticism.

And yet, that is how good leaders gain ideas that lead to improvements.

Consider: Do you ask for feedback (i.e., criticism)? Do you make it safe for others to provide feedback? Do you thank people for their feedback?

How to Celebrate Earth Day

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This year Earth Day was celebrated on April 22.

But birds have a different approach to celebrating Earth Day.

This Western Bluebird is wondering if you can do the same. 

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See: Earth Day 2019 for the story.

Hello Again

Hello Everyone,

I'm back after having been away from Typepad for about five years.

I plan to publish success tips, photos, and stories.

Thank you to the Typepad support staff for answering my questions. Your outstanding service has helped me resume blogging.

Today's Success Tip: Kindness is always a good choice.

What's the Story Behind This Photo?

This photo shows special (rare) bird behavior.

See: Embrace Hardship

How Bluebirds Can Help You

Meet the Western Bluebird

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See more photos of Western Bluebirds at "Meet the Western Bluebird"

If these birds live in your area, you can save money and time by helping bluebirds thrive. (Eastern Bluebirds look almost like the Western, except the male has rufus on its throat.)

 Here's how:

 1) They Need Homes

Bluebirds are cavity nesters. So they need trees with holes in them. These holes are often found in old trees.

What to do: Leave old trees alone. Minimize tree trimming. If necessary, cut off only branches that might break free, leaving the trunk and parts of the major branches.

What to do: Hang birdhouses that have been designed for bluebirds. Consult the National Bluebird Society for plans. Note that the size of the opening is critical: It must be large enough to allow bluebirds to enter and small enough to keep invaders out (larger birds, squirrels, and cats).

2) They Need Food

Bluebirds eat bugs. While raising nestlings, they catch a bug every few minutes.

What to do: Avoid putting pesticides on your lawn or garden. Such chemicals kill the bugs that bluebirds depend upon for food.

Note: Pesticides also kill bees and bugs that other birds need for food.

3) They Need Water

Every creature needs water. But birds are especially sensitive to chemicals.

What to do: Avoid using chemicals on your lawn or garden. These collect on rocks, sidewalks, fences, and other hard objects. Then, rain or lawn watering washes these chemicals into puddles, sewers, and (ultimately) natural water systems.

Here's how this helps you.

1) You'll Save Money

Avoid the cost of lawn and garden chemicals.

2) You'll Save Time

Avoid the time to trim trees and spread chemicals.

3) You'll Stay Healthy

These chemicals can make children, adults, and pets sick. Some of these chemicals are accumulative toxins. That is, they collect in body tissue over time, building their concentrations until they cause illnesses, such as cancer or nervous disorders.

So, when you help wildlife thrive, you also help yourself.

By the way, here's something easy you can do now: Visit and then share my article on the Western Bluebird. See: "Meet the Western Bluebird."

The Guy Who Needs to Read This Won't See It

I saved a man's life yesterday.

I was driving home after speaking at a meeting. It was late and it was dark.

Suddenly a man on a motorcycle raced by me.

He was going faster than 100 miles per hour. Much faster.

This is scary because I did not know he was there until I heard him roar by. And I check my rear view mirror every few seconds.

Fortunately, I was driving steadily, staying in my lane.

If I had made any sudden move, he'd be dead.

So by being a safe driver I saved his life.

The point is: He was going faster than a person's time window of perception.

Do the math.

He was going over 150 feet per second. In the seconds that pass between glances in my rear view mirror, he goes from being out of sight to being in front of me.

By doing that, he's depending upon other drivers for his safety.

You can help.

Share this blog with others.

It's possible that he might read this.

There's another point here: Driving fast wastes gas. Driving really fast, wastes a lot of gas. 

That can waste hundreds of dollars each month.

If your money is important, here's an article that shows easy, practical ways to Save Money on Gas. And yes, driving safely is one of them.

Final Footprint

Good People Doing Good
Things 

Few people want to think about this.

And yet, eventually, someone will have to do something. 

Then they'll either do what you told, or they'll do something else.

I'm writing about your final footprint.

Admittedly, this is a very personal matter.

It's also a topic that is undergoing change.

Instead of trying to leave a lasting memorial, people are now seeking ways to show respect for both the person and the environment.

In some ways, these new approaches leave a more lasting memorial. Imagine, for example, the difference between planting a forest that will grow versus building a structure that will erode.

In addition, these new approaches often cost much less.

If you're interested, check the web site for Final Footprint.

You'll find many options to consider.