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365 Coaching Tips: 274th, 275th & 276th

October 1st Coaching Tip: Love me some Yankees.

When I was a kid, we used to watch the Major League Baseball playoffs at elementary and middle school, and then when we got home at night. That’s when I fell in love with the Yankees. A homerun king, Reggie Jackson, caught my attention by hitting three homeruns in one game. I was smitten! And since that evening as an eighth grader, I have been a Yankees fan. (On October 18, 1977, in the sixth game of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson hit three home runs in a row off of three consecutive pitches from three different pitchers.)

“Oh The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss reinforces how important it is to go see difference place. My recommendation is to expose your kids to winners, and losers, to new terrain, to new foods and new cities, etc.. Oh the places that you will see as well. I’ve taken friends and family to the new and former Yankee Stadium. I was able to go to two games with my niece Katie and my nephew Kyle; niece Ally and I went to one game. Let’s Go Yankees!

October 2nd Coaching Tip: Get To Your Destination.

Today starts a 5-day vacation. We are making our annual Fall trek to Michigan. We both have family stories from Michigan, so we enjoy wandering thru MI in the Fall, stopping at farm stands, taking in the views of barns, wineries, orchards, farms, lakes, etc. We made the decision to be on the road (with three stops) nearly 6.5 hours to get to Traverse City. On the way, we stopped at a road-side farm stand and I bought one apple, small jar of local jam, local potato chips, and a pint of blueberries for $2. Yes, just $2!

Our goal was to get to our destination, so that we can truly enjoy our short stay up north, visit with some family, and see more sights. We head to a town we’ve never been before today, Charlevoix. Can’t wait. Get to your destination!

October 3rd Coaching Tip: Communicate Clearly.

At 815am this morning, an electrician called me from one of my house projects that was eight hours away. After a quick and thankful greeting, “happy Friday, thanks for calling me first thing in the morning”, we got to work. By communicating clearly what I needed worked on in three locations in the garage, outside, and in a barn, we were able to be on the same page. I then called my contractor, and he indicated he would be there in minutes. Why did I call the contractor? Because I spent a few minutes with him a couple days ago explaining what I needed the electrician to do. We three were all on the same page, because I had taken the time to 1) clearly identify what I wanted, 2) told my contractor in advance, too, and 3) told the electrician and also asked him for feedback.

A few minutes after the electrician and the contractor spoke, the electrician called me back and gave me an idea that would save me money and save him time and be just as effective. Communicate clearly…and let people know that you truly want their ideas and feedback. It works!

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365 Coaching Tips: 271st, 272nd & 273rd

September 28th Coaching Tip: Pray.

Yesterday during the fourth quarter of Indiana’s road game at Iowa, IU’s quarterback walked out on the field with approximately two minutes remaining, and he quickly prayed. (It was a pressured packed moment. The game was tied, 13-13, after Iowa had just missed a field goal.) I noticed it and I was glad that the TV cameras caught the moment. A few plays later, the IU QB thru a rocket of a pass (with eight Iowa defenders rushing him) to his receiver, who ran straight to the end zone. As soon as the receiver crossed the endzone for the touchdown, the IU QB purposefully prayed again.

When pressure is high or you are hurting or need extra help, Pray. Just pray.

September 29th Coaching Tip: Find The Positive.

Lots of people around us right now are negative. Negative about life, politics, fairness, etc. Meanwhile, I’m choosing to be aware of the negativity, and embracing the positive side of life. For example, I woke up this morning, read my devotionals, took a shower, drove my car, got a haircut, worked at a consistent pace all day helping others, celebrated a colleague’s retirement, learned from others, took some training, went on a walk, talked with my mom and partner, and am looking forward to tomorrow. That’s a good day, full of positive vibes.

Did I climb a mountain? no. Did I win the lottery? no. Did I solve brain cancer? no. But I had a full day. I’m embracing what is good and positive. Are there bad things happening? Yes, every single day. I’m very aware of it; two mass shootings yesterday by former USA Marines. Government shutdown is a potential this week. Brains are not reading and understanding history, which may indicate that bad things from the past may indeed happen again. Find the positive, be aware of your surroundings and the negativity.

September 30th Coaching Tip: Quarter End Results.

It’s that time; end of another quarter. What are you most excited about for the future quarter and 2026? What are you most proud of that you have accomplished in the last three months? What got in the way of achieving a goal? How do you reset for this next quarter? What will you celebrate and who will you celebrate it with?

As I reflect on these questions, I’m most excited about picking up new coaching clients and traveling to Michigan and Naples, FL. I’m most proud of maintaining my coaching work load, and picking up new clients from two colleagues who retired recently. Got a cold in mid-September, which set me back 2-3 weeks on my fitness and ability to attend some fun events. Resetting is in motion; we are planning travel, warm weather fun in Naples, an early Thanksgiving, a couple work trips and staying healthy. Soon we will celebrate with our neighbors, as she is working on her PhD; and we will celebrate my accomplishments at the National Senior Games in basketball shooting and sprinting. Those are my quarter-end results and reflections.

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365 Coaching Tips: 265th, 266th & 267th

September 22 Coaching Tip: Stuck? Change It Up.

Numerous coaching sessions are about my clients being “stuck”. They are doing ok, but they seem to be stuck and not really growing, but not losing business either. Most times I will ask them, “when you have been stuck in the past, what did you do?” I ask that question to get them thinking positively, about a time when they became unstuck and progressed forward. They usually share that they changed things up a bit, i.e. they hired a coach, they changed their office and included a dashboard somewhere, they created a competition on their team to reward the new behavior. Bottom line, they changed things up a bit.

It happened to me recently. I was stuck on a design project; I kept going and doing the same thing for 2-3 weeks. Then I did something totally different, really got feedback, and changed my thinking. I’m already feeling the new feeling, and it’s invigorating.

September 23 Coaching Tip: Turn Them Loose.

Talked to a couple of my coaching clients recently about their experience with their interns this summer. They both were absolutely blown away by how thorough and helpful these interns were for their teams. Both leaders mentioned that these interns were professional, got projects done quicker than the team expected they would get them done, and asked for more work that could truly help the team.

In my experience of leading interns since we hired 100-200 interns/year when I was at Caterpillar, we found that if you give them big projects, get them to critically think about the result, learn how to go ask questions, and grow from feedback, they were quite valuable “part-time hires.” Some of our high school interns would work for us their junior and senior years in high school, and then would add another 3-4 internships while they were in junior college or college. By the time these interns were graduating from college, they were very familiar with many of the facilities, the processes, numerous people, the work culture, and the performance expectations.

If you have interns, give them direction and projects, and turn them loose. They’ll get stuff done for you quicker that you had imagined.

September 24 Coaching Tip: Get Both Sides of the Story.

Ever have someone call you and said that, “you said this, you said that…” and yet they have never talked to you nor asked you what you actually said? That happened to me recently by a leader. This leader launched in to what I did, without remaining curious and asking me for my input on what I did. So being the wiser of the two, I chose to listen to them opine on what I did…then I calmed summarized what they said, and then clearly slowed down and said the following, “now that I think I understand what you are saying, let me tell you what I did.” It was interesting how what this leader had heard was very different than what I did.

As a leader, it’s your responsibility to 1) support your people, and 2) get their side of the story. Don’t just think what someone else says is correct and accurate.

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365 Coaching Tips: 268th, 269th & 270th

September 25 Coaching Tip: Drink Water.

I’m now on week two of this lingering cough from the cold that I had last week. I’m noticing that my body is working overtime still; my heart rate is a bit elevated and my energy is a bit lower than usual. Thus, I’m really focusing on drinking alot. Water, vitamin water, hot tea with honey, tonic water. Drinking water keeps you hydrated and in my lil ole opinion, moving!

September 26 Coaching Tip: Open the Windows.

It’s truly beautiful Fall weather, dropping in to the 50’s over night and rising to the 80’s during the afternoon. Because of my cold, I’m intentionally opening the windows to help with my sleeping and to also “air out” the house from all of my coughing.

Soon it will be late Fall and colder, with no real opportunity to open the windows. Open up the windows, let the stink out, and the fresh air in.

September 27 Coaching Tip: Get Some Sunshine.

I’ve been intentionally getting outside to walk slowly in the sun, to catch some normal Vitamin D. Walking is free and the best exercise for everyone. And sunshine is free, too. Why not combine them both, as I recover from this cold and cough, and do things that are healthy and free. Get outside and get some sunshine! It’s healthy and superb for your long-term wellness.

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365 Coaching Tip: 259th, 260th & 261st

September 16, 2025 Coaching Tip: Sick? Stay Home.

A group of 12 of us gathered over the weekend. We are all now in our 60’s. One of the 12 (who is a non-practicing MD) showed up and had a very evident cough. We all mentioned our concern and she kept indicating that she wasn’t sick, the coughing was due to her asthma. We all knew better and tried to keep our distance. Throughout the weekend, I kept my distance, even sitting at the dining room table or going outside for frequent walks or going downstairs to just get away. However, she kept coughing and didn’t care.

Fast forward to this morning…seven of the 11 are now sick with sore throats and coughs. Seven of us, in our 60’s, are now sick due to a non-practicing MD who brought in her crud, which spread quickly across our group of friends. Obviously, what’s done is done. But, her lack of awareness and empathy for us is deeply concerning. Stay home if you’re sick.

September 17, 2025 Coaching Tip: Stay Home, Rest, Hydrate.

We all tell others to rest up and hydrate, get your vitamin C, blah blah blah. But, when you get sick, do you do that? Indeed, I did do that today. I worked 1/2 day at home, drank alot of water and hot tea with honey, took 1500mg of Vit C, went on a couple outdoor, short walks to get some fresh air and Vit D, and yes, took a nap.

Follow your own advice that you give others; when you’re sick, stay home, rest, hydrate.

September 18, 2025 Coaching Tip: Remember Anniversaries.

Again, a pro-tip is to use your iPhone or whatever calendar system you have to never miss key dates like birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, etc. Today was my brother and his wife’s 43rd anniversary. It’s not just another day; it’s THEIR day. I reached out to them both; had an important text exchange with my sis-in-law and reached out to my brother, offering to send them some treats or dinner. They had already beat me to the punch, and my brother had picked up dinner and brought it home for them to enjoy. He appreciated my offer. Remember others; they’ll appreciate it.

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365 Coaching Tips: 262nd, 263rd and 264th

September 19th Coaching Tip: Keep The Faith.

Let’s go down history lane for some context regarding what has been happening recently.

On 8/21/1960, my parents were married and by 7/4/1961 and 11/8/1962, they had two young boys. During the Fall 1963, my mother (Barb) tragically lost her dad to a heart attack. A month later, the President of the USA (JFK) was assassinated. Mom and Dad maintained hope and pressed forward thru those two deaths and had me on 8/22/1964. I’m so grateful that they were resilient and pressed forward with optimism about building and raising their family. By 1968, more strife happened with both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy being assassinated. Three behemoths were murdered as my parents were raising their young family. And my mother lost her dad, knowing that he would never spend time with us as we grew up.

In the early 1970’s, the Vice President of the USA (Spiro Agnew) resigned in Oct. 1973 from his VP role due to a variety of problems. Keeping up hope, my grandmother (Bernice) and her gal pals went to the 1973 Presidential Inauguration for President Nixon. By that next summer, President Nixon was being investigated, and he also ultimately resigned in Aug. 1974

During that same timeframe, my mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Not knowing how MS would impact our young family, my dad realized he needed to be at home on the farm working, so he bought 20 horses and started his legacy of a career in harness horses. He raised, bred, trained, raced, owned, and sold 100’s of harness horses until the day he died in 2023.

Keep the faith, people, keep the faith. Just about the time we think we are the only ones going thru something horrible or depressing, step back, pray, reflect, and look at history. We humans have a tendency to repeat our same sins over and over. Keep the faith.

September 20th Coaching Tip: Provide A Moment.

It’s Dad’s weekend at Indiana University. Although I would LOVE to go to the highly anticipated game, #9 Illinois versus #19 Indiana at 730pm E. However, I’m making the decision to rest some more, so that I can keep on enjoying this Fall weather even more.

I have two great tickets, and one of my cousins let me know that her girlfriend and dad (at IU) needed two tickets. I quickly made the decision to sell them for $100/each, knowing this was a moment for this father-daughter combo. A memory they both will never forget. It’s a perfect autumn day on IU’s campus, warm weather, and an evening game with two ranked opponents. Doesn’t get much better than that. I’m glad to help provide this moment to them.

September 21st Coaching Tip: Sort!

Today was a day to sort thru someone else’s stuff. I had waited over 10 months to do this, and today I needed some natural movement exercise without doing too much (since I’m recovering from a cold). I gave myself two hours to do the sorting, and I got to work. Piles for 1) trash, 2) donate to Goodwill, 3) keep and utilize, 4) pickup by others. By the end of the two hours, I was pleased to find a few items that I can utilize. In the evening, I took a carload of items to Goodwill. I still have a pile of trash, and we will get too that over the next month. I need to make a call to an organization who will come on site and remove it for free.

My tip for anyone is to set an amount of time and SORT. You’ll be glad you did. I think people can delay this important sorting due to emotional ties and memories to the things; when your head is clear and ready, set a timer and SORT.

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365 Coaching Tips: 256th, 257th & 258th

September 13th Coaching Tip: No Response, Best Response.

Ben Franklin was a master at so many things, including communication. He reflected in his writings and attributed sayings, by suggesting that “…it may be better to avoid pointless arguments and prioritizing goodwill over winning” as a wiser approach. Pointless conflicts and arguments often bring no true winner and can isolate or alienate friends and family from each other. Listening with no response is many times a way to learn and be more aware of a situation, without causing further stress or conflict.

In my coaching work, I’ve many times reminded myself and those that I coach that we have one mouth and two ears and two eyes. That’s a ratio to keep in mind: 4 to help you watch and listen, only 1 to voice your opinion. I embraced that all week, as I was around a couple people who were loud and boasting opinions that I didn’t agree with. I had no response, and it was the best response. For my overall wellness, it’s healthier for me, too.

September 14th Coaching Tip: Early To Rise.

Our weekend was a blast in SW Michigan with my 1983 IU teammates. With us all departing on a Sunday and our checkout to be completed by 10am, a couple of us decided to get up early (6:00am) and we set up a yogurt bar with fresh fruit, Michigan raw honey, cinnamon and granola. We also had the coffee brewing and some Swedish muffins and pastries (from our shopping yesterday), as everyone would be moving quickly, packing their cars, and heading out. It all was easy to eat or take it with them. We wanted them to have ease…this early on a Sunday morning.

When thinking of others, be aware of the entire situation. Everyone had a blast all weekend. However, everyone was ready to get on the road heading home. Early to rise was the right thing to do. We returned back home by 12pm, because everything was ready for checkout at 830am, instead of 10am.

September 15th Coaching Tip: Work Those Relationships.

It’s my goal to know and appreciate my new neighbor at the house we are remodeling. Today, we was out mowing so I walked up the hill to greet him. After complimenting his yard and mentioning that I need to pick it up a bit, I simply thanked him for mowing and making it all look nice.

Then, I shared a common story; he mentioned that he just got a heart stent. So I shared that my mother got six stents more than seven years ago and she’s doing pretty good. As I walked away, I turned around and asked him what his favorite candy is for Halloween. He said he liked it all; I asked him to narrow that down, and he said anything but those Easter peeps marshallow things. Then he said, “Reese miniture cups, Snickers, 3 Musketeers.” You know that I’m going to be handing him some of these the next time I see him; my goal is to keep working the relationship. It was benefit us both.

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365 Coaching Tips: 253rd, 254th & 255th

September 10th Coaching Tip: Slow To Anger.

Children in America are threatened weekly with some type of gun violence at school. Today, as I was walking in to the break room at work, I noticed that the news was on the TV; the breaking headline was that a prominent and young public figure with millions of followers had been assassinated with a gunshot. It stopped me in my tracks; not again, more gun violence during the day. By the time I got home after work and then relaxed in the evening, I was noticing the amount of anger due to this assassination was at a very high and intense rate. The anger was like an inferno. As I laid it down that evening, I prayed for peace, kindness, and understanding. I prayed for our nation to heal and see just how costly gun violence is in our communities and to our overall well-being. I then prayed for wisdom, asking for help to be slow to anger.

September 11th Coaching Tip: Never Forget. Never.

Yesterday, I was stopped in my tracks as I went to the break room with the horrific news of an assassination of a young leader. And 24 years ago, on 9/11/2001, I was on a short walk from one conference room to the next at a facility in Mossville, IL (Caterpillar Inc.). I turned my head to see what the breaking news was on the TV’s in our cafeteria; then I noticed that a small group was gathered around the TV’s, and someone mentioned that a plane flew into the Towers in NYC. It didn’t feel right at all; nothing about it felt right. Learning just a bit more from the news, I then pivoted out of the cafeteria and headed back to my office. What would I do in a tense moment like this, as a new and young leader, leading a huge $20mil project with about 100 teammates. Timeliness, communication and understanding were going to be critical. A couple of us jumped up on a table in the middle of our large group, gave everyone a quick update on what was happening, and then offered the rest of the day off to everyone on our team. (We already knew that this airplane going into the Towers in NYC was terrorism; it was NOT a mistake.)

As I drove home, I stopped at the grocery store quickly and bought two things: peanut butter and water. I knew that IF we all had to buckle down and stay home for a while, I could live on water and PB. I will never ever forget where I was and how I felt that day on 9/11/2001. Fast forward 24 years later, now I work for Merrill Lynch and we lost employees that horrible day in NYC. Never Forget. Never.

September 12th Coaching Tip: Travel With Your Friends.

My bestie (Kim) and I jumped in the car together and headed north to be with our Indiana University women’s basketball teammates from our Big Ten Championship season in 1983. We had gotten together in early April in Tampa for the women’s Final Four; now it was a weekend in southwest Michigan, steps away from Lake Michigan. Kim and I were in the car together for nearly three hours of drive time. Then we all had lunch and walked to ice cream. With our tummies full and on a complete ice cream/sugar high, I went for a walk to see the neighborhood and check out the access to the Lake Michigan beaches very nearby. The next day had us getting up slowly, with a light rain, to enjoy a full breakfast together at the large dining room table. Once the rain cleared, six of us piled into one vehicle and we shopped at two farm stands and one Swedish bakery. My goodness did we ever have a blast buying fresh and incredible food. And on and on it goes. Came back to chili being made and served with a “chili toppings bar”. College football games were on, and then it was another sit-down dinner made by my bestie; she roasted over 10 veggies, of all colors. It was a beautiful display of food and friendship at that dinner table that evening. Travel with your friends! Make those memories. Even cooking and eating together are times well spent.

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365 Coaching Tips: 247th, 248th & 249th

September 4th Coaching Tip: Embrace To Expand.

One of my coaching calls today was with four ambitious leaders, who are building something special for their business. They are already growing and are now embracing a key piece of the company’s strategy to help recruit talent to their team and the company. They are truly embracing to expand their business as well as the company’s overall business. They are unique; instead of resisting or fighting the company strategy, they are aligning and embracing what the company wants to get done. Now these four are viewed even more positively, since they are trying to help ALL grow.

As a coach, I often find many of my clients who are resisting some thing; resisting feedback, or accountability, or the desire to partner up to grow. Whatever it is, they are resisting it. I had a blast coaching these four leaders who are embracing (not resisting) growth. Sky’s the limit for them!

September 5th Coaching Tip: Simplify Selections.

Many of the grocery and retail stores have so many selections that it’s a bit overwhelming. Today, I went to Aldi’s after work for some key groceries and staples for the kitchen cabinets. I had my list and walked in with one bag; this simplified my process of shopping and I was in and out of Aldi’s in less than 15 minutes.

Next door was the Best Buy store. They have so many TV’s on the walls there, and I knew exactly what I wanted: a 65″ and a 43″. I had measured the walls that they were going to be hung on BEFORE I went to Best Buy. When I walked in, I indicated to the salesman what I wanted. He ordered them, brought them out to my car with another salesman, and I was on my way. By knowing what I wanted, and doing some prep before I left home, it made my shopping much more simplified and efficient.

September 6th Coaching Tip: Little By Little.

As we remodel this 95-year-old home, we continue to make progress bit by bit. Today was all about adding essentials, like lamps and small side tables. Those are essentials, as we have our phones, drinks, the TV remotes, etc. that need to be seen easily and also laying in plain sight, easily reachable. Lil by lil, we are progressing; I have no intention of buying 5-10 lamps or side tables at a time. We will add more tomorrow; for example, the kitchen needs key spices like cinnamon and garlic. The upstairs bathrooms need items like deodorant, lotion, etc. We will get there, bit by bit, lil by lil. There’s no need to rush, but instead, do it methodically.

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365 Coaching Tips: 250th, 251st and 252nd

September 7th Coaching Tip: Full Moons Are Special.

My godson and I will text each other photos when there is a full moon. Sure enough, at about the exact same time, he texted me a photo of his son sitting in front of the fire, while they were both admiring the full moon. Meanwhile, we were at the lake, doing the same admiring of the full moon glistening over the lake. I texted him a photo. Those full moons are special; it connects my godson and me. Keep them special!

September 8th Coaching Tip: Dinner With Mom.

Today, two years ago, my dad mowed the lawn before sunset. He came in, had some dinner with mom, watched TV, and went to bed. But soon after laying it down, he came out and let mom know that he wasn’t feeling well. A few hours later at the hospital, my dad died suddenly of heart failure. He died in the ER, with my mom at his side. They had been married for over 63 years.

Tonight, we drove an hour to meet mom for dinner at good ole Olive Garden. We have wonderful, quick and pleasant service. The soup was delicious, and we all took home leftovers. But most importantly, we three spent time together. Honoring my dad, and letting mom know that we are here for her. That we love and admire her. It was a simple yet special dinner.

September 9th Coaching Tip: Took Bereavement Today.

Although my dad died two years, it hit me this month, this week, yesterday, and this morning. I’m not crying and regretting anything; I’m just thinking of my dad alot, all of his teachings, all of his accomplishments, how quickly he passed, and how mom is gracefully handling life these last couple years.

Just knew I wasn’t going to be able to concentrate well this morning, so I took a half day to grieve/honor dad/not work. That’s the first time that I’ve ever done that in my corporate career of over 38 years. Yes, the first time ever. Know thyself, know your limits.

FYI, I also had three important people in my life (a longtime work friend, a cousin, and my godson’s daughter) with birthdays today. I made it a point to talk to all three of them, and even stopped by to visit my godson’s daughter and give her some treats. Make the effort!