I know it's meant as a compliment, but it irks me when someone says, "You're lucky to have a high pain tolerance." They usually follow it up with a story about their own natural, even genetic, low pain tolerance. I've spent decades learning and practicing to become more tolerant of discomfort and pain. Professionally, it's what I help my clients do, as well.

Most of us are remarkably efficient. We've become masterful at multitasking—getting more done while spending less time. But efficiency and effectiveness are not the same. Efficiency is how. Effectiveness is what. High efficiency does not equal high impact. In fact, the most audacious, relentless and focused people I know don't look like multitasking wizards. They look relaxed. And they consider doing better over doing more a no-brainer.

An extraordinary Life Coach is probably not smarter, richer or more academically accomplished than her clients. She may not be older, wiser or more worldly than her clients either. But if she's really good at supporting them to live a more optimal and fulfilling life, it's a good bet that she has made one transformative shift for sure. She's turned pro!

When you experience hardships, do you share it with everyone or keep it to yourself? Do you consider it a private event only to be shared with your coach, therapist and best friend? Or do you consider it responsible, helpful and useful to share your painful experiences with the world at large?

One year ago, during this week, still shell-shocked from the events of October 7th, I wrote the following article, Have Freakin' Conviction! I could have never imagined that over a year later, our brothers, sisters, and children would still be held captive by the most evil and genocidal cult alive today. But I also couldn't have imagined how much more robust, connected, and powerful the Jewish people would become because of this unspeakable tragedy.

"Mom, do you think you might have an eating disorder?" one of my children asked with more than a little hesitation. My immediate reaction was confusion, anger and defensiveness. I have a complicated relationship with diagnoses. I welcome information but not the sense of being defined and limited that can accompany one.

The rising generation, also known as Gen Z, has its work cut out for them! With nearly a decade of experience coaching this generation, I've witnessed their unique traits and behaviors. First, let me tell you what they are not. They are not stupid, uneducated, lazy, irresponsible, and a plethora of other negative attributions they're generally given by parents, bosses, and those of their cohort who don't suffer from the particular misunderstanding I'll speak of here.

Most of us go through our days and ultimately our lives habitually apologizing. If you don’t think this applies to you, try the following experiment for a day or a week. Become aware and take note of how often you apologize transactionally and for social reasons.

I have a bone to pick with the Happiness Crowd! Through the last decade, we've been obsessed with exploring, chasing, and finding happiness. Look through any airport bookstore, and you'll find countless authors promising happiness—only if you follow their specific formula. This is Happiness…The How of Happiness…The Happiness Project…The Happiness Equation…The Meaning of Happiness…and my personal favorite (not really!)...Growing Up With A Bucketful of Happiness!

When did ambition become a four letter word? Think of the last time you used the word “ambitious” to describe yourself or another person. Was it in an entirely positive context? Did it sound a little cringy even when it was meant to be a compliment?

So, you want to change a habit? If I was allowed only one coaching tool in my professional coaching toolbox and I mean …I literally could only use one and no other tool or system—I know which one I would keep. And now you’ll know it too. I would keep the tool and practice I call “The GIGA”—short for “Garbage in, garbage out”!

Last week's blog post, "Are you a Time Thriver or Time Survivor?" generated many responses, ranging from recognizing ourselves as one or the other type to wanting to learn more about the "how to." Those primarily interested in tactics and strategies would be better served contacting a Time Management Coach. But if you are willing to dig deeper into your mindset and understand your unique beliefs around time and life and the more profound beliefs that are causing your experience of being a Time Survivor, I can help.

When you were in your 20’s, did you ever think about how you would like to be remembered? The answer from most of us is a hell no! Last week, I asked this question of G. — a 24 year old young adult client who has been coaching with me for a couple of years.

I used to believe that our most valuable resource is time. After all, it's the one commodity no amount of money can buy. And the fact that no one knows just how much remains for each of us in our lifetime, makes it even more rare and valuable. But after years of coaching people of all ages, genders, and life circumstances, I believe there is something even more valuable than time alone. Our Time Mindset.

I’m an expert in helping emerging adults integrate their emotions, core values and actions in service of their life goals. Teaching them how to think is the skill and mindset shift that leads to the transformation they (and their parents) desire. They don’t need me (or you) to tell them what to think because they have inherited a world so wildly different from ours that we’d be at best, deluded, and at worst, harmful if we force them to follow our advice.

What do highly educated millennials and many high-achieving, 50-ish women have in common? On the surface, seemingly not much. However, because both are groups of people that I coach, one similarity connects them with surprising consistency.

When you hear or read the word "detour," what's the primary emotion you experience? Do you feel excited, optimistic, and energized? Or hesitant, doubtful, and cautious? I'm going to guess that for most of us, it's the latter set of emotions. Nobody I know wants to voluntarily take a detour, whether it's on their way to work or on the life path they've chosen.

Growing our commitment muscle is arguably the most significant lever of success we have the power to enforce. Yet so many of us commit to an end goal at the cost of suffering through the journey. If the process of achieving a goal feels like suffering rather than hard work, we might want to reconsider that goal. My last blog delved into the profound meaning and value that commitment brings to our lives.

I'm obsessed with Ease. Let me be clear. Here, I'm not talking about Easy. Easy is about doing less, taking shortcuts, and staying inside our comfort zone. Easy says, "I don't want to do hard things." Easy seeks pleasure at the cost of joy and borrows from your Future Self. Easy is what so many of us are in pursuit of. But the truth is what we are genuinely seeking is ease.

Today is my birthday, although most everyone thinks it was yesterday. I did this intentionally, so I could be present for everyone's well wishes yesterday and spend this day in reflection and gratitude. I also want my actual birthday to be a day of giving something back to my community of clients, supporters, friends and family.