Is AI a tool or a crutch? Are we looking to use AI to produce super-human results and maintain a schedule NO ONE should endure? 

When computers were introduced and widely available, experts expected that increased productivity would mean less time needed to complete the same amount of work, allowing employees to have more leisure time and better work-life balance. 

How's THAT going for you? 

Instead, we expanded the scope and complexity of our work, raised expectations for output, productivity, and responsiveness...and the boundaries between work and personal life blurred as work became more portable. 

Do we think AI will finally help us achieve work-life balance or will we double-down on our addiction to chaos and AI will just help us maintain our nonsense--just as faster speeds! 

Shout out to Pump Up the Mind for the theme music: "Bright Horizons"

Some of you just got sweaty at the mere mention of the word! 

If we know every human is unique and that conflict is a natural part of interacting with other humans, then why does the idea of it make some of us clench our fists, run for the hills, or freeze in our tracks?!

Shout out to Pump Up the Mind for the theme music: "Bright Horizons"

Can we chat about GROWTH?! 

Specifically, I want to explore how the early stages of growth can be hard--and cause us to question whether or not it's worth it. What if knowing some key truths--UNIVERSAL TRUTHS--about growth could reassure us?

Shout out to Pump Up the Mind for the theme music: "Bright Horizons"

Can we chat about FEAR?!

I don't want to talk about CAP-LOCKED fear, but lower-case "fear." Not the oh-crap-run-for-your-life FEAR, but the oh-crap-I-don't-think-I-can-do-this variety.

Is the fear you're feeling alerting you to danger or is it an indication that what's ahead is BIG and AWESOME?

Shout out to Pump Up the Mind for the theme music: "Bright Horizons"

Can we chat about PROCRASTINATION?!

Yeah. I said it. It's a filthy, ugly word we despise, yet we continue to invite it into our lives--creating disruption and chaos in our progress and growth.

What if we think we are just putting off a task that is
😣 DIFFICULT
🫤 UNCOMFORTABLE
😳 CHALLENGING
🥱 BORING
But what if we are REALLY preventing ourselves from reaching our potential?

Shout out to Pump Up the Mind for the theme music: "Bright Horizons"

Can we chat about CURIOSITY?!

We start the human experience, curious. As children, we ask TONS of questions, because everything is NEW! Then, at some point, we get so confident that we know it all, that we just hide behind our convictions.

Do you think you're doing life correctly and those who are different are doing it wrong? Do you spend your days wishing others would think and behave like you? Are you reaching for growth or marching in place, embracing certainty?

"Curiosity will conquer fear more than bravery will."
James Stephens

Shout out to Pump Up the Mind for the theme music: "Bright Horizons"

Can we chat about ACCEPTANCE?! 

In a world where we are conditioned to stay HUNGRY, always want MORE, and NEVER be satisfied--is it a wonder that we sometimes think ACCEPTANCE means we have just given up? 

What if ACCEPTANCE is really the key to unlocking greater joy and personal growth? 

"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."
Maya Angelou 

Shout out to Pump Up the Mind for the theme music: "Bright Horizons"

Can we chat about MIRRORS?!

Though a mirror is designed for us to view ourselves, is it possible I spend more time holding mirrors up to OTHERS--so THEY can take a good look at and fix their behaviors--than inspecting myself?

If I'm working overtime to show others the reflective, dynamic side of the glass, how much time do I spend starting at the dark, dull surface on the back? What hope do I have to grow and learn with that in my sights? Could what I'm trying to point out to others be more about what I'm working to avoid seeing in ME?

"I'll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror."
Taylor Swift

Shout out to Pump Up the Mind for the theme music: "Bright Horizons"

Hey--are you in there? Can we chat about OPENNESS?

We protect ourselves with walls of our own creation, but are they really keeping us from the connection and growth we crave and deserve?

What if the first step in establishing true, authentic connections with others involved taking some emotional risks on our end? If everyone waits for others to put their shields down first, what hope do we have?

"To be found is to be exposed. No wonder so many of us are still lost."
Craig D. Lounsbrough

Shout out to Pump Up the Mind for the theme music: "Bright Horizons"

Can we chat about DETOURS? 

How often do we find the need to adjust our plans, our approach, and next steps? Like...EVERY DAY. Why do we attempt to convince ourselves that encountering a challenge in our pursuit of a goal or going through some unexpected life changes is reason to label ourselves a "FAILURE?" 

What if we were to find gratitude in the detours and look for the unexpected gifts? What if DETOURS are NOT ROADBLOCKS? 

"Lessons often come dressed up as detours and roadblocks."
Oprah Winfrey 

Shout out to Pump Up the Mind for the theme music: "Bright Horizons"