Fear Of Freedom

I grew up as the fourth generation member of a family business, but my family hoped I would do … anything different. I had no idea what I wanted to do. Many of my peers were the same way; not sure what we would become. Why? I think perhaps one element is that we, orContinue reading “Fear Of Freedom”

The Empty Seat Problem

I was accepted into University of Wisconsin with a high GPA and SAT score out of high school. My first semester at college, I posted a 0.0 GPA. Wisconsin placed me on academic probation, and my parents recognized that something was seriously wrong. I went into treatment. Forty-six percent of all college graduates fail to finish theirContinue reading “The Empty Seat Problem”

Dad, Why Do You Write?

My son turns two today. One day, he soon, he will ask me, “Dad, why do you write about suicide and depression all the time?” The large majority of people who suffer from mental illness will fight their illness every day, for the rest of their lives. They will never go off of medication; theyContinue reading “Dad, Why Do You Write?”

You’re the CEO. Now What?

If you were starting a company tomorrow, what would your role be? What is your area of greatest potential? One person cannot do everything – believe me, I’ve tried. You must be smart enough to delegate certain roles to people who are smarter than you. Back to you. You might quickly know that you’d needContinue reading “You’re the CEO. Now What?”

Breaking News: The NFL’s New Anti-Bullying Policy

It is widely assumed that Roger Goodell and the NFL will release an anti-bullying policy in reaction to this year’s highly publicized ‘Jonathan Martin / Richie Incognito / Miami Dolphins’ situation. Roger has several other major scandals to play Monday Morning Quarterback for, so I figured I would lend a hand. Roger, I’ve taken theContinue reading “Breaking News: The NFL’s New Anti-Bullying Policy”

Would You Rather Be Right, or Respected?

A client needs to do A in order for you to do B. They fail to do A, but they need B. At this point, which, happens every day in business, no matter what A or B  represent, you have a choice: Blame them. Say I told you so, or, You should have. Point out their mistake. BlameContinue reading “Would You Rather Be Right, or Respected?”

If Mental Illness Was A Blizzard …

If mental illness was a blizzard that snowed you in, You could just stay inside. You’d be warm and safe, Until you ran out of power or food. But if you picked up a shovel and went out to clear a path, At first it would seem daunting. The snow, waist deep, one shovel havingContinue reading “If Mental Illness Was A Blizzard …”

Discover Your Best Ideas

Yesterday I discovered some drafts from 2009 (in my Google Drive) that taught me – about myself.  The very first of all 207 posts on this blog was published on May 31, 2013.  That was shortly after I read Seth Godin’s ‘Icarus Deception‘, which I have referenced as the spark of this blog. (Oh, inContinue reading “Discover Your Best Ideas”

Make Something Better

I wrote recently that I’d like to start a journal about mental illness. Since then, I’ve been thinking about the direction I’d like to go with it. There are several websites that are dedicated to fighting, helping, and de-stigmatizing mental illness already. There are countless books and blogs. I’ve been reading and connecting with manyContinue reading “Make Something Better”

What Happens When You Stop Listening?

When you stop listening to the opposite viewpoint, you end up: Alone, or With a group of people exactly like you. Picture yourself in an army like the Nazis, or as part of a rebel force in Africa that rapes and pillages in pursuit of its goals, or sitting in a solitary confinement cell inContinue reading “What Happens When You Stop Listening?”