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Learners and Knowers

I read recently that legendary basketball star, Michael Jordan, once said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted with the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

When we fail we have two choices,

  1. We can complain about how unfair the world is and play the role of victim, or
  2. We can ask, “What am I meant to learn from this? What is the message? How can I use this to help me grow?

When someone presents us with an opinion with which we disagree, or judges us harshly, we have the same two choices: complain and play the hurt victim (our wounded ego speaking), or pause and seek the hidden insight behind the remarks.

Carl Jung once said, “Thinking is difficult.  That’s why people judge.”

Do you choose to learn from your failures? Or do you choose to judge yourself for failing? When you are criticized or faced with an opinion with which you disagree, does your ego cause you to push back and defend your position, or do you say, “Tell me more, I want to learn”? The difference is between an open mindset and a closed one; between being a “knower” versus a “learner”.

Are you a knower or a learner?

What a New American President Can Teach Us

What a New American President Can Teach Us

Thirteen years ago, the day after President Barack Obama was elected to his first term in office (November 5, 2008), I wrote the following blog. Then I posted it again prior to his second term, and again following the Innauguration of President Trump. Here, I offer it...

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Let’s Aim Higher!

Let’s Aim Higher!

I don’t know if you are a fan of New Year’s resolutions, but the last day of 2020 seems the most appropriate time to address that subject. To put it kindly, 2020 has been a challenging year. There is much talk about flattening the curve, inoculating the majority of...

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Let’s Hold Hands!

Let’s Hold Hands!

Back in March of 2020, you and your friend set out on a long walking trek across the wilderness.  The trip is about 500 miles. It's December now and you have reached the 300-mile mark. You find yourselves exhausted, frustrated, dejected, overwhelmed, stressed and fed...

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Three of my favorite quotes.

Three of my favorite quotes.

As we navigate through challenging times together, I thought I would share with you three of  my favorite quotes.  They always keep me company, and these days, even more than usual, they are very important companions for me.  I hope they will also be grounding for you...

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Become a Certified Higher Ground Leader

Become a Certified Higher Ground Leader

If you would like to become Certified as a coach, consultant or facilitator of Lance Secretan’s renowned Higher Ground Leadership®, or just learn more about this deep and inspiring body of work, we have two new opportunities for you. NOTE: If you have previously...

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A Second Wave is Coming—This one is Burnout!

A Second Wave is Coming—This one is Burnout!

According to the latest research, burnout is reaching unprecedented levels. As we all wrestle with the extraordinary onslaught of change, challenge and dysfunction, traditional online means of support are proving inadequate. Access to an Employment Assistance Program...

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A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity

A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity

In 1970, Milton Friedman famously wrote, "There is one and only one social responsibility of business—to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits....". For this kind of thinking, Friedman was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in...

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Cheer up!

Cheer up!

It seems that we can’t open our news feeds these days without reading another depressing headline. So, here is my antidote for you today:     First, Visit www.inspirepledge.com and make a commitment to being your best, inspiring self today, and just as...

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A Weekly Shot of Inspiration

A Weekly Shot of Inspiration

Last March, I invited people to join me in an experimental weekly Zoom video call for some mutual inspiration. The original intention was to provide support to frontline workers during Covid. I committed to hosting these sessions for one month, but everyone was...

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The Responsibility to Use our Voices

The Responsibility to Use our Voices

For better or worse, as a result of the career I have chosen, I am blessed to have a voice, a platform, and an audience.  All of us, whether we have a voice and a platform or not, have a responsibility to speak up in these pivotal times, because we have a chance to...

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Good Timber – from Inspiration in the Cloud

Good Timber – from Inspiration in the Cloud

During our "Inspiration in the Cloud"  Zoom video call today, I shared this poem with all of the participants who joined our weekly 30-minute inspiring conversation. The poem is starkly gender-insensitive, but, remember, he died before I was born! (Honestly, I...

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