Tag: Goals

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365 Coaching Tips: 307th, 308th & 309th

November 3rd Coaching Tip: Be Advanced.

When you quit learning, you’re dying. The coaching tip for today and these next three days all weave together: are you advanced and want to stay advanced in a skill that you have? Do you want to attain mastery and become elite? How are you continuing to learn?

This week I was able to be around the best talent in our financial industry, learn from them as well as share tips that we felt were relevant for their teams and the practices. The talent was advanced; they showed up at 630am in the morning, and were learning/sharing over dinners that went to 9pm. Choosing to be advanced is an intentional decision to be better than average. That takes dedication and discipline. Be advanced!

November 4th Coaching Tip: Be Elite.

Alot of people want to be elite, yet don’t take the time to be elite. Say what? Yes that’s right. To be elite, it takes time to be elite. I worked with two leaders today who are taking time on Fridays to focus on what they want to become as leaders, and how they want to lead their high-functioning teams. It will take time for both of them to think, then write down their thoughts on what they want to become elite at and why is it so important, then clarify it more by sharing it with trusted colleagues, which typically results in further improving it. Most importantly, role modeling what you want to be elite is crucial. Actions speak much louder than words. It will take work, commitment, habits that are stacked for your benefit to become elite, etc. To be elite, be ready to spend time on what it will take to be elite. And then do it…daily.

November 5th Coaching Tip: Want To Learn.

My mother continues to learn, nearly every day. She’s pushing 85 years old, and watching PBS about the Revolutionary War, Finding Your Roots, and Rick Steves travel documentaries on places that she’s never visited. She has the desire to learn; this keeps her relevant and her mind engaged. When someone in our family or her friends group mentions something about going to Scotland or Italy, although my mom has never been to either country, she can be a part of the discussion because she probably just watched a show or educational series on it.

I am wanting to learn more and more about AI; there is so much money and focus on AI right now, and I want to be on the leading edge of learning how to use it and understand the benefits that it can provide. Want to learn, whether it is a new technology, about a new person, or a new location on our beautiful planet.

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365 Coaching Tips: 304th, 305th and 306th

October 31st Coaching Tip: Treats for Kids & Adults.

Halloween is now turning into a fun evening and treat for all ages. As a kid, I remember it being all about the kids, making outfits, competing in outfit contests, counting all the good candy, weighing how much candy we got, etc. Now it’s a full-on family affair; the parents are trick or treating WITH the kids, walking behind them or pulling them in wagons or pushing them in strollers. The parents are festive, happy, and in outfits as well. It’s time now to step up your treats: adult size candy bars for the adults? or free beverages? And for the kids, the same good ole treats always work. Give ’em treats, no matter if it’s just kids or kids with their parents.

November 1st Coaching Tip: A World Series for The Ages!

Game 7 of the 2025 World Series had the Los Angeles Dodgers playing the Toronto Blue Jays, in Toronto. The Dodgers were trailing most of the game, got it tied in the 9th inning with a couple unlikely plays. The game headed into the 11th inning, and the relief pitcher (Yamamoto) was actually a starting pitcher ALL year for the Dodgers. Yamamoto somehow had pitched the evening prior. Now he was again pitching three full innings (9th, 10th, 11th) in this 7th game of the World Series. He was able to easily get the Blue Jays out in the bottom of the 10th (three up, three down). In the 11th inning, with a couple runners on base, the Blue Jays hit into a double play. Dodgers WON, 5-4.

Players stepped up and made highly stressful plays. Viewers all over the world were watching, some 25 million viewers watched late into the evening; Nov. 1st coincided with the time change, too. The stressful plays came from unlikely players; the Dodger’s 2nd baseman (Rojas) homered in the 9th to tie the game, 4-4; then in the bottom of the 10th, he threw home on a fielder’s choice and got the runner out at home plate. In the bottom of the 9th, two Dodgers’ outfielders ran into one another, but the taller outfielder who had just been subbed in for defense made the play. Then in the 11th inning, Dodger’s catcher Smith homered, to give the Dodgers a 5-4 lead. It was a world series for the ages; unlikely people stepped up. And the Dodgers’ manager made some critical decisions that worked to perfection. He believed in his players and trusted in his key decisions.

November 2nd Coaching Tip: Check Your Tire Pressure.

We have a couple cars that we keep in our garages in our north and south homes. Therefore, a couple of the cars may go a couple months without being driving. Today, I took one of the two cars for a drive to charge up the battery really good, fill up the gas tank, and ensure that the air pressure in all four tires was 42 psi. Of course, all four tires were NOT at 42 psi, so I spent two dollars after filling up the gas tank and aired up all four tires. “Safety first” was on my mind, before I drive across the state tomorrow morning for three days of business meetings. Don’t wait; check your tire pressure. (Note: if you don’t know what tire pressure is correct for your car or truck, there is a sticker inside the driver’s side door to indicate the preferred psi.)

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365 Coaching Tips: 295th, 296th & 297th

October 22nd Coaching Tip: Get Caught Up.

As I drove home from work today, I realized that I forgot to update my notes today and leverage our CRM tool for my key activities. When I got home, I grabbed my work cell phone and put 30 minutes on my calendar first thing for tomorrow morning to quickly get done what I had forgotten to do today. We all forget to do things from time to time; it’s how you handle them moving forward. Get caught up, quickly. This will help declutter your mind and will also build confidence with your colleagues and clients, indicating that you have integrity and are reliable and dependable.

October 23rd Coaching Tip: Quick 15 Minutes.

Today I visited with two women who needed clarity on their business growth and organizing their work week. In a matter of 15 minutes with each of them, we jumped in quickly. They gave me an update on what they had been working on since I visited with them for one hour each over the last couple weeks.

I was proud of these women, because they both are committed to personally growing their businesses, and I could feel their willingness to get better. They both emailed after our 15-minute efficient session today and were so happy to be coached. They are already starting to feel the progress that they were desiring. Don’t ever underestimate the power of a quick 15-minute accountability check-in.

October 24th Coaching Tip: Thinking Ahead.

Knowing that I had a one on one with my boss today, I got her my update a couple days ago. When we met today for 30 minutes, we both were prepared. Thinking ahead, in early November, I’ll be heading to a conference in Florida to learn from national experts on a wide variety of topics; I’ll also be speaking in three different breakouts on three different topics. Yes, three. Today, I really took some time to prep on how I would be organized with my thoughts, focused on being easy to understand for the benefit of the audience, and be relaxed as I’m getting ready now to help reduce any stress.

As a professional that others rely upon, are you thinking ahead? Are you prepared? Are you remaining relevant or are you falling behind? Think ahead. You’ll thank yourself. Always stay present when you are with your clients. Do both: think ahead AND be present.

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365 Coaching Tips: 286th, 287th & 288th

October 13th Coaching Tip: Check The Weather.

As I was packing and prepping for the work week, I repetitively checked the weather forecast for New York City. Flying there on a Tuesday, walking to work across Manhattan to three different buildings, I wanted to ensure I had the right clothing for comfort and warmth, and of course the Fall breezy days. I also was checking the weather for the weekend, since we have football tickets to a home game for Michigan State at Indiana University.

I packed efficiently and noticed that as I went thru the entire week with work and dinner clothing needs in NYC, as well as working out and sleep gear, I had packed just one extra tank top. The two extra scarves that I took worked well, as the sun went down in the evenings and I wore them to stay warm as I walked back from work and taxi drop offs.

As for the IU football game, intense weather alerts had been issued for game day. However, as I kept an eye on the weather very closely, it appeared to me that there would be no rain or threat of bad weather until about halftime. Sure enough, that’s exactly how it played out. I went to the game, stayed til halftime, then drove to our newly remodeled home nearby to watch the second half. Meanwhile, as I was making the short 12-minute drive home, IU officials postponed the game and had all of the fans leave their seats and take cover under the stands. Check the weather; it can be a simple check on your cell phone to help you be safe and sound.

October 14th Coaching Tip: Business Decisions.

In the last few days, I have a rental property that has been available for a few weeks. Surprisingly, we have not had much interest; however, in the last few days, I have received two rental applications after my realtor showed it to them both. Both of these men felt they were going to be selected and communicated well with me. But, business decisions are just that: business decisions.

My CPA helps me with my taxes and making good tenant decisions purely on the data that he reads in the rental applications. Both tenants made alot of money and were going thru divorces. One (let’s name him “Mike”) had a higher credit score than the other candidate. Mike also had nothing on his background check and was less pushy in the process. My CPA recommended that we go with Mike. Although the other tenant had no pets and Mike had a cat, Mike was willing to pay a non-refundable pet deposit, too. Use data intentionally to help make great business decisions.

October 15th Coaching Tip: You have options.

My mom got a recall notice on her Mitsubishi SUV. She called up her normal dealer and they were indicated that they didn’t know how to fix it. So, mom called me; I reminded her that I used to be in charge of warranty and recall notices for Caterpillar. She had forgotten about my warranty experience, so I reminded her that she can take her Mitsubishi to any Mitsubishi dealer to get the recall fixed. 

Today, she proudly called me as she drove home from another dealer and said they got it done in 40 minutes and had been doing them all week. Remember, you have options. Use them! 

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365 Coaching Tips: 283rd, 284th & 285th

October 10th Coaching Tip: Embrace New People.

My mom and I enjoy going to watch the harness horse racing at Hoosier Park in the Fall. As a family, we have won some very big and important races over the last five to six decades. Even though she didn’t own any of the horses racing tonight, we decided to go again and she got 12 seats at three different tables in the clubhouse so that we all could watch the races and we kept a very close eye on my nephew, since he was racing in nearly every race. It was fun, great food, less stressful since we didn’t own any of the horses that were racing, and my nephew won two huge races; one was a longshot and I was screaming very loudly as he and his horse cruised down the final stretch to WIN!

Another treat on this night of racing was that I invited one of my IU women’s basketball teammates to sit with us and watch the races. She jumped at the opportunity to join us, and she convinced her sister and brother-in-law to drive to Hoosier Park and watch the races. I embraced them, sat with them, and really shared how to understand the racing program that helps them pick/bet/cheer for the horses. What a fun evening it was to watch them learn more about harness racing. Embrace others and share your love of something special. It’s good juice for everyone involved.

October 11th Coaching Tip: Memories Together.

My neighbor turned 59 today. His wife invited me over for a small gathering of their parents and sons…and me. Did I go? Heck yeah. His wife made all kinds of yummy homemade food, with a theme that focused on the Indiana University football game versus the Oregon Ducks. We devoured all of her goodies…and celebrated her husband’s 59th birthday with people that were closest to him. Help shine the light on others and make impactful memories together. His 59th birthday won’t be forgotten; homemade food, with family, and an IU upset road win over Oregon.

October 12th Coaching Tip: Sundays Are Rest Days.

Today was a day of rest, right out of the good words in the Bible. Rest for the week ahead of high stakes work in New York City with international leaders. We took it easy in the morning, read our Bibles, and listened to music. With the high stakes work ahead this coming week and to help keep up my overall wellness and resilience, it was important to prioritize rest today. I’m learning that in my 60’s now, business travel for me has to be a bit more planned. I need to thoughtfully move thru the week, but even more importantly, get hydrated and rest properly BEFORE I go on that business trip. My health has to be good and solid to help be fully present, helpful and purposeful for others as I coach them. Thus, today was a Sunday and Sundays are rest days, as requested by our dear Lord.

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365 Coaching Tips: 280th, 281st & 282nd

October 7th Coaching Tip: Listening? Put Your Phone Down.

When my partner and I are speaking, I find it VERY helpful to our conversations when I turn and look at her and really focus on her face, body language and what’s she’s saying and how’s she’s saying it, all while putting my phone down or pushing it away. I’m learning that this sends a clear signal that my partner matters, and it is a physical movement that I intentionally take that really reinforces that this conversation is of higher value than anything that could be on my phone. Put your phone down when you’re listening.

October 8th Coaching Tip: Call Ahead.

My mother does a great job of calling people and calling ahead. Why does she call? To get the results that she’s looking for. It works, because she is able to create a quick connection. She lets me know when she starts heading my way and then will let me know when she’s in the driveway. She will call her bestie/neighbor and let her know that she is going in to town, and ask if she needs anything. She will call the doctor’s office to see if anyone has cancelled or postponed an appointment, to see if she can get in earlier.

Pick up the phone and call ahead. It works, especially when you create a smile, embrace kindness and connection, with a results mindset.

October 9th Coaching Tip: Make It Look Pretty.

The contractors were pouring concrete today in front of the garage and front door at the house that we have been remodeling. Since I was at work and away, I talked to the guys in the morning and reinforced one thing: make it (the concrete) look pretty. Make it look just like your wife, with the one thing that would make her even prettier. They laughed and then said, “we got you, we understand.” I reinforced thru the word “pretty” that this was the first impression of the home: walking up the new concrete sidewalk to the front door and driving up to the new garage on the new concrete.

When I inspected the finished product this evening, I was so pleased with the quality of the concrete work. Indeed, it was pretty. Sometimes it’s HOW you communicate, and with WHAT metaphor, that helps get your point across and achieve the goals that you want.

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

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

A group of 12 of us friends gathered over the previous 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, that the coughing was due to her asthma. We all knew better and tried to keep our distance from her. 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 how it might impact us.

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, coughed frequently around us, and then that spread quickly across our group of friends. Obviously, what’s done is done. 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 a lot of water and hot tea with honey, took 1500mg of Vit C, went on a couple, short, outdoor 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 were the proud parents of 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 growing and raising their family. By 1968, more political 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 January 20, 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 much more available to help raise us kids and work at home on the farm, so he bought 20 horses and started his hall of fame career in harness racing. 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), 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 while watching the game on TV and resting.

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) Goodwill donations, 3) keep and utilize, and 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: 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 into 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 single gunshot. It stopped me in my tracks; I was thinking, “not again…more gun violence during the daytime”. By the time I got home after work and then relaxed in the evening, I was noticing the amount of anger due to this specific assassination was at a very high and intense rate on social media and TV media. 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 (That was during my Caterpillar Inc. career). 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 World Trace Center 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 in NYC, and then we 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 ML 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. Some of our teammates got together in early April in Tampa for the women’s Final Four; now this weekend is 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 grab some ice cream. With our tummies full and then 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 that were 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 the fun times continued. 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 quickly and now they are 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 by senior leaders, since they are trying to help ALL grow.

As a coach, I often find many of my clients who are resisting something; resisting feedback, not holding their team accountable, or they lack 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! Embrace to expand.

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, TV remotes, etc. that need to be easily accessible, reachable and laying in plain sight. Litle by little, 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, little by little. There’s no need to rush, but instead, do it methodically.