How Lucky Are You?
A few months ago, I moderated an executive panel for WOMEN Unlimited. When asked if he’d been lucky in his career, one of the panelists replied, “Yes, if you consider my definition of luck – being prepared when opportunity comes.” His definition differs from those found in most dictionaries, many of which include the word “chance”, as if luck is something that happens to you, rather than for you. Reframing luck this way suggests action- preparation and openness – being intentional rather than claiming victor or victim status when things do or...
Read MoreLeadership and Yoga
Several weeks ago, my friend Beth invited me to a yoga class at our local YMCA. At first, I balked, because yoga seemed slow and boring. Because I trust Beth’s judgment, I went. Suffice it to say, I am now obsessed with yoga, but not just any yoga class. I’m obsessed with Amy’s yoga class – a combination of hatha and vinyasa flow, which suits me because: It’s never exactly the same-I’m not bored and have to stay focused rather than letting my mind wander. It’s meditative-making a spiritual connection between mind and body. Afterward, I feel both...
Read MoreSummer Reading Club!
Remember Summer Reading Programs at the Public Library? Once you finished school, you (or your children) went to the library to sign up, set a reading goal and took home a pile of books. When you reached your goal, you got a prize. Good Things for a Full Life is hosting a Summer Reading Club to bring out the kid in all of us! It will also celebrate the launch of our online Good Things Community, where we can engage and exchange ideas about career, success, networking and living a full life. Interested in being part of the conversation? To get started: Sign up: Visit the Good Things...
Read MoreLearn from Failure AND Success
When “successful” people are interviewed, they often make the statement, “I’ve learned more from my failures than my successes.” I disagree with that sentiment – highlighting failure somehow paves the way to success. I don’t believe that we grow or learn more from failing than succeeding. Learning and growing come from trying new things and reflecting on the results of the experience, whether it works the way we intended or not. “Failure learning” is part of human nature. When we fail, we obviously don’t want to repeat the experience, so we take time to reflect – What went wrong? What...
Read MoreCelebrating a Year of Good Things
Like any good gardener, I start with the basics to cultivate an environment for growth—finding a good spot to plant seeds and nurturing young plants to bloom and spread their beauty. So it has been with my book, Good Things for a Full Life, which launched one year ago this Sunday on January 26, 2013. During the first year, I planted seeds by focusing on chapter one, Strive for a Full Life, Not Balance. Spreading the seeds of a “full life” concept meant reaching out to others and sharing the lessons that helped me create a full and satisfying life, with the hope that others would...
Read MoreStress Management 101
Below is an edited version of a story emailed to me by a friend. If you know of the original author, please let me know, so I can give credit where credit is due! A young woman confidently walked around the room with a raised glass of water while discussing stress management with an audience. Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, ‘half empty or half full?’ She fooled them all. “How heavy is this glass of water?” she inquired with a smile. Answers ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on...
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Deb Hornell is a visionary whose personal brand of “Cultivating Environments for Growth” extends into her consulting practice, her family and friendships, and her book: "Good Things for a Full Life."
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