The girls stopped eating most of their bottles a few weeks ago. It was like they were on strike. We asked around and googled for insight. We learned something. We were using the wrong nipples. You can buy baby bottle nipples with different flow rates. You give higher flow rated nipples as the babies grow. Babies would rather not eat than work too hard to eat. They're not consciously choosing. They don't have that capability. It's just in their nature. They'll under … [Read more...]
What will you give?
June 1, 2012 by
Will you give yourself permission to be uncomfortable today? Will you give yourself permission to be more than who you were yesterday? Will you give yourself permission to dig a hole for you to get out of tomorrow? Will you give yourself permission to seek that spark of an idea? Will you give yourself permission put your ideas together? Will you give yourself permission to reveal your ideas to the world? Will you give yourself permission to ignore … [Read more...]
Are you getting caught in the idea trap?
May 25, 2012 by
I remember stepping on the Lego piece with my bare foot. I screamed, cursing. A cubic, sharp pebble cutting into my foot. It hurt! Yesterday, I talked about how building ideas is like playing with Legos. "The ideas are the blocks. Putting them together is the execution." If you're an "idea guy" (or gal), like me, you have a bunch of blocks. They're everywhere! You're tripping on them, stepping on them, staring at them. Are you putting them together? Are you addicted … [Read more...]
How do you win the battle of will?
May 25, 2012 by
I love feeding my girls. They're 7 months old. They don't know what they're doing. It's a socio-science experiment. What will they like? What will they hate? Will they clamp their mouth shut? Will Ellie like one thing and Evie another? Jen and I treat every bite like it's fun and tasty. "Mmmmmm", "Yummmyyyyy", "Yaaaaaaay". We smile. We pretend like we're chewing and swallowing. I learned quickly that it's not about them eating the food. It's about enjoying the experience of … [Read more...]
Are you playing with Legos or with Jenga?
May 24, 2012 by
Building ideas is like playing with Legos. It's not like playing Jenga. Your ideas are the blocks. Putting them together is the execution. The nice thing about Legos ... You can build one thing, take it apart and build something completely different. You have the flexibility to innovate and pivot. You can go back and then forward again. Put your ideas into action. If it's not right, take them apart and put them together differently. Building ideas is not about keeping … [Read more...]
Wish You Were Here
April 3, 2012 by
I get lost in the act of wishing. I wish I played tennis more. I wish I were more extroverted. I wish I played guitar better. I wish I did a better job of marketing this blog. I wish those jeans I got a couple of years ago weren't so tight. I wish I were more comfortable (and effective) at networking. I wish that I wrote (and published) more often. I wish I were taller. I wish I called my mom more often. I wish I didn't have a commute. I wish I had published a book by now. I wish I … [Read more...]
Mind over matter
March 27, 2012 by
Shawshank Redemption was nearing the end. I watched Red travel on the bus going to Fort Hancock, Texas. It struck me. No one on that bus was listening to a Walkman, iPod, reading something on their phone or tablet. It was a long, quiet ride from Maine to Texas. A bit over 30 years ago, Sony invented the Walkman. It was a first. You could take your music with you. And block out the rest of the world with stereo headphones. Jogging and walking no longer had to be a slow silent slog. The … [Read more...]
Step away from the elephant
March 23, 2012 by
I found myself standing in front of a grey wall. I felt like I encountered an insurmountable obstacle. Then I reached out to to the wall. Odd, it's rough and warm. I look around. I step away. I see an elephant. The only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time. First, you need to know you have elephant to eat. Sometimes we get to close. We lose perspective. We get lost in the perspective.. Step away from the elephant. Then pick your first bite. Related articles On … [Read more...]
Blessings and Sacrifice
March 16, 2012 by
Running a successful business. Writing a book. Starring in the community play. Earning first chair violin in the symphony (or third chair). Playing on the varsity football team. Getting the promotion. Finishing a book that's difficult to understand. Receiving a Masters of Fine Arts. Having a lush lawn. Twins have taught me there is no blessing without sacrifice. They are two sides of the same coin. What blessing are you yearning for? What are you willing to … [Read more...]
