Wikipedia estimates the Beatles wrote 188 original songs.The 2000 album ‘1’ compiles 27 of the Beatles number one hits. 27 divided by 188 equals 14%. The album compilers considered 14% of the Beatles output worthy. Even the best band in the world couldn’t produce a hit every time. For every hit there’s a miss. For … Continue reading Greatest hits →

Ciaran usually finished work at half 5. Everyday. He was Mr. Reliable in this area of his life. But last night Ciaran finished work at 7 and now he is sleeping soundly, safe in the knowledge that he is done. He doesn't have to spend the rest of the evening restless in the uncomfortable limbo … Continue reading The peace of done →

Don't shop when hungry is good advice.It's not that it's impossible to maintain shopping discipline when hungry, it's just that you're going to be wrestling with a powerful primal part of you and odds are you're going to lose. This part of you is unevolved. This part of you will take the wheel and run … Continue reading Shopping hungry →

Some self help books end with a call to action along the lines of - the world needs you, to not show up would be denying others your gift.As call to actions go it's quite compelling. It gets under one's skin and makes you feel guilty for not showing up.But the part that I struggled … Continue reading The world needs you →

The beginner is attracted by novelty. The whole newness of the activity keeps it exciting and interesting. But to become a master you need to train for years and novelty doesn't last forever. Once novelty has played it's part, it's best to progress onto something more sustainable like nuance. That's usually the reason why the … Continue reading Novelty and nuance →

If the advice helps does it matter where it originated from?There are no prizes for originality in counselling. Self-help authors today echo what philosophers said thousands of years ago. Fear and courage are millions of years old. Contributing something new is an admirable ambition but it shouldn't stop you from contributing altogether.

I remember exactly where I was when my rugby coach announced that he wouldn't be coaching any more. I vividly recall when my director told us all that we would be leaving the company. Do you have any similar memories yourself?When you found out for the first time that someone was no longer going to … Continue reading Go on without them →

When you're tired everything becomes more challenging and it's in this adversity that the opportunity presents itself.We know you can do your best when you're well rested. But what about when you're exhausted? When everything is harder and your mind and body are fighting you every step of the way.Now there's a challenge for you.I … Continue reading Fatigue – excuse or opportunity →

Google tasked a research team with finding out why some Google teams are much more effective than others. The research team concluded that one of the contributing factors was the 'psychological safety' of the group. It is a term they borrowed from Harvard business professor Amy Edmondson and the Google research team defined it as: … Continue reading Psychological safety →

If you're locked away in a tower, cleaning up after your stepsisters, or being dressed by adorable woodland creatures, and wishing for a better life then waiting is a good strategy. The evidence has shown that either Prince Charming or a fairy godmother are on their way to make everything better. So sit tight! On … Continue reading Wishing and waiting →