When Brandon Stanton got laid off from his financial job in 2010, he took a risk that many aspiring artists would like to take: he moved to New York to pursue his passion for photography. Stanton took to the streets with his camera, shooting portraits of random New Yorkers he encountered on his walkabouts of the city. Thus was his …
In ancient Greek mythology, it seems the one thing you never want to do is tick off the gods. If you remember, there was poor Icarus who flew too close to the sun, melting his wax wings in the process before plummeting to earth and a watery grave. There was Achilles, the bravest and most handsome warrior of them all, …
At one time, Iron Mike Tyson was considered the “baddest man on the planet.” As heavyweight champion of the world, he reigned supreme. He also understood the psychology of fear and the human tendency to freeze under attack, short-circuiting years of training and conditioning in his opponents. “Everybody has a plan – until they get punched in the face,” he …
Ours is a culture that loves to worship success. We celebrate our winners with award shows, reward them with trophies, plaster their faces on magazine covers and billboards. We want to know whose clothes they wear, and more importantly, what is the great “secret of their success.” Failure, by contrast, is like the awkward teenage cousin who takes up presence …
Years ago, when I was preparing to run my first New York City Marathon, I remember asking another, far more experienced runner, for some “coaching” advice. Was there anything he could tell me, any tips he could offer that would help me stay the course and (hopefully) finish the course in one piece? He thought about it for a minute …
Bruce Springsteen built his long career on giving voice to some of the most raucous, joyful, and often painful aspects of the human condition. I think his songs resonate for so many people because they describe the intense feelings of love and loss, joy and disappointment that we all share in. His Springsteen on Broadway show (now available on Netflix) …
Out goes the old year, in with the new. As well as the obligatory mumbled “Auld Lang Syne” on New Year’s Eve, we have many pre-ordained rituals that punctuate the human temporal experience. Things like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, graduations, weddings and funerals – all help us mark the passage of time. Even minor rituals like happy hour, dinner time, sporting …
The holidays can be a stressful time. There are preparations to be made, travel to be booked, and social situations with acquaintances, colleagues, professional contacts, and relatives with whom we might disagree. Hundreds of news articles have been devoted to the idea that Americans are more divided now than we’ve been in generations. To help people prepare for such situations, …
Anthony Mancinelli works a 40-hour week on his feet, trimming and shaving the heads of his incredibly devoted clients. He doesn’t call in sick; he drives himself to the barbershop in New Windsor, N.Y. every day; and then he drives himself home each night, where he cooks his own meals. He takes no regular medication, has steady hands and all …
Some time after starting my coaching practice in 2005, I began writing a monthly newsletter, a way to keep in touch with clients and generate potential new business. Over time, I saw its reach steadily grow and through the magic of “forward email,” these little missives went out into the world where they introduced me to a raft of new …