When you find a box of stale crackers, you might be tempted to either a) be like me and just eat the stale crackers, or b) throw them out. Often we look at a lot of our decisions as binary, in terms of the two most obvious solutions or actions. […]
Author: Rick
Guilty Verdict
Yesterday, I watched the verdict of the Derek Chauvin trial being read. More accurately, I listened as I had my eyes closed in anticipation. Because America has long found law enforcement officers responsible, but not accountable for the killing of people of color, I braced myself for yet another police […]
Generosity to All Parties
If you’re going to give clients, co-workers, and bosses the benefit of the doubt, that’s fine, but just make sure that they’re giving you that generosity as well. It’s great to extend trust to others, but remember that while they should both be accurate descriptors of others, “trusted” and “trust-worthy” […]
Problem Solving
The foundation of solving problems is primarily the ability to recognize and identify what the problems actually are. Given this, we always need to make sure we’re making sure that we are causing the problem. Because if we’re not owning our decisions, speech, and actions, then we’re never going to […]
Clarity and Kindness
There is a quote about feedback by Dr. Brene Brown: “Clear is kind.” It’s definitely true that by being clear about what problems you’re seeing, or how others might improve, you’re being kind in the way that you’re giving others the gift of a path towards improvement. This, however, doesn’t […]
Sticks vs. Carrots
I am fortunate enough to have gotten my first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. This is an achievement not only in privilege, but also in the herculean efforts put in by scientists, public health officials, and the government in terms of funding and incentivizing the rapid development of vaccines. We […]
Self-Improvement Toxicity
I believe in personal development and self-improvement. I also believe that you’re enough as you are. These might seem to contradict themselves, but I believe that positive self-improvement is where you’re embracing yourself as a worthy, amazing human being, and looking to grow and optimize your skill sets, mindsets, and […]
Adam Toledo
It all seems like too much. Another child (13 years old!) shot to death with his hands up. This is, sadly, the America I know. The America where I always look for idling cars when I’m on walks. Where I choose vacation spots based on the likelihood that I’ll be […]
Numbed Out
It’s easy to get numb to certain things. Repeated exposure to things can be a great thing. Facing your fears and uncomfortable situations repeatedly reduces fear levels and one acclimates. Repeated tasks are the basis of habit formation, and consistency in words, actions, and both over time builds trust. However, […]
Ease vs Grit
If you’re like me, you’ve probably heard of the virtues of grit. The power with sticking things through until the end, even when they get difficult. I agree with this, but I also think that we often don’t pay enough attention to ease. Grit is necessary to survive and prosper […]