All eyes were on the instructor as she pointed to the array of colourful glazes to choose from and reviewed what we needed to know for the next 90 minutes. Because that was all the time my friend Heather and I had to decorate our humble first attempts at pottery. The instructor was experienced enough…
His one comment summed up what I’d been grappling with for months. “If I’m on social media, then I’m a hypocrite.” It was a lightbulb moment. It also just happened to be in the middle of being interviewed for the Focused podcast, hosted by Mike Schmitz and David Sparks. A boomerang effect Mike reached out…
When my alarm goes off a few minutes before 8:00 a.m., I can’t help but laugh at my situation. “Is this really the thing that keeps me from hitting snooze?” It’s April 2003. I’m in the final weeks of my third year at university. You might think my alarm is going off so I can…
I still remember how I felt that morning. It was a beautiful, sunny day as I cycled on the country road just outside the city. I felt calm, confident, and ready for the challenge ahead: two climbs in a row. Not only did I know this route well, with each passing week I was improving…
Last year I admitted the real reason I was sabotaging a key part of my business. Today I’m sharing how I’ve been getting in my own way for years, the potential consequences, and what I’m doing now to break the pattern. Links Watch on YouTubeSee the Public TrackerCat on the Creator Science Podcast Want to…
It didn’t seem to matter that no one has ever uttered the word directed at me. I still dreaded it. Flaky. The mere thought of being considered flaky was enough for me to get defensive. Each derisive comment would float through my head as I imagine people’s inner dialogues while they ask what I’m up…
In a way, it’s almost cruel. I’ve written about my struggles as a person who resists inner expectations. If I tell myself I’m going to do something, there’s a good chance I’ll put it off when the time comes. Because of this, I use external accountability. I’m far more likely to follow through when there’s…
It felt like a slap in the face. Her comment halted my excitement like a record scratch. I had just delivered a talk during a virtual summit, and the supportive comments in the chat and from the host had me feeling confident the session resonated with attendees. Since this virtual summit had guest commentators between…
I could tell his question was sincere, not judgmental. But it still caught me off guard. “What does it feel like to resist following through on what you say you’ll do?” A friend asked me this after I explained The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin, a framework based on how people respond to inner and…
Maybe you’ve heard the advice to “use external accountability” to help you follow through more consistently. But what does that actually mean in practice? It comes in many forms, so today I’m sharing the spectrum of options for using external accountability and how to choose the right one based on your goals. Plus, signs it’s…