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On Election Day, Choose Wisely

This just might be the most important Monday Morning Stretch I have ever written. As you read this, within 24 hours, we will elect a new American president.  Whatever the results, half of the country will be disappointed, if not downright angry, frightened, and despondent, except for (I hope!) our readers. I’m banking on the notion that if you’ve been …

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The Intentional Feelings List

This is a confession of a recovering OCD professional. Sometimes, I guess to feel productive and complete, I write things down on my daily to-do list that I’ve already done just so I can cross them off. Ridiculous, I know, but painfully true.  This week, as I began to succumb to this silly habit once again, I wondered why.  Why …

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Nurturing the Narrative

I have some really brilliant friends. Truly brilliant. Whenever I spend time with them, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to learn from them, grow with them, and have them in my life. One such friend, Deb Berecz, has been my bestie and a solid light in my life since 5th grade. Deb is an experienced collaborative family law …

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Triggers

Triggers. Just like a firearm, they get pulled sometimes with even the slightest touch. Emotional triggers get pulled all around us every day. Someone puts an opinion on social media, and then someone with a different opinion lobs an insult.  The first person is triggered and fires back. In a flash it has escalated into an adult game of “I …

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Focus

I have decided that I am a big fan of focus, not because I’m always good at it but because I’m not. I have a lot of interests, a busy life, and, like all of us, I live in a fast-paced world. It’s easy to decide that constant distractions and operating in a consistently fragmented way and juggling multiple demands …

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Stopping the Train of Panic

On the 17th of August I turned 65 years young. It is hard for me to believe, and, at the same time, I’m grateful for every minute, every turn, every year that brought me here in good health, still enjoying my work with a beautiful family and a life I love. In some ways, I feel I’ve just hit my …

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Stop Comparing

As I write this week’s Stretch, we are currently living and working from Tom’s beloved summer cabin nestled in the Western Sierras where we spend 6-10 weeks a year if we can manage it. Located just 13 miles southwest of Lake Tahoe, Silver Firs is a rustic gem of a cabin only 150 yards away from two small but stunningly …

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The Stretch Zone

LionSpeak is a communication coaching company specializing in coaching individuals, leaders, and teams, who wish to communicate with more clarity and inspiration to achieve remarkable results. In other words, we help people communicate better in a variety of circumstances. For example: An administrator wanting to convert more callers to appointments. A leader wishing to inspire their team to massive action. …

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The Story Challenge

I have a personal challenge for every lion, lioness, and cub out there in the Lion’s Den—all you beautiful subscribers to this weekly Monday Morning Stretch. And, I’m serious about this. It’s a real challenge. It’s called Your Best Story Challenge. Here’s the premise: Ever notice how some people seem to live an easier life? Their businesses prosper even during hard …

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The Stories We Tell Ourselves

We’re making it all up. We really are. How we view our reality is just a story we are telling ourselves. It is our truth, for sure, but make no mistake that others would view or live our exact same experience and come to a different conclusion about it. The events are neutral, but it’s we who give them meaning …