Shawn Phillips | Start Strong Monday

When Getting Better Isn’t: The Endless Improvement Trap

Never-ending, perpetual, ceaseless improvement. To reach your peak and then get better… and better, and better. We expect nothing less from ourselves, our children and even our favorite teams and athletes. Do you feel this pull? Where each new peak in fitness instantly becomes your new baseline? It seems like a good idea, like a healthy drive but [...]

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Success Lessons from the Road #10:
The Fantasy of Running In Place

Want to reverse the downward trends, take a run back to the top? It’s in the upward propulsion of your rising years that you’ll find the answers. It’s intentionally engaging in a phase of “growth” again. Pressing for expansion, once intrinsic to our life—no real plan required—now demands intention and preparation. This is where The Challenge comes in...It’s what life really feels like when you’re being fully engaged.

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Success Lesson No. 3:
How to Succeed Even When Your Inner Critic Tries to Derail You

“What the f%*# are you doing? You’re done. You’ve nothing to prove. This is dangerous…,” the familiar voice boomed. It was the very same voice I’ve heard speak to me so many times while in line at Starbucks say, “Just grab a scone. You’ve earned it.” Louder and clearer than usual on this occasion, I’ve come to recognize this inner voice not as an enemy to my success but a part of myself that is inclined towards self-preservation. I used to think it was the sound of weakness but I prefer the idea that it’s a part of myself that wants what’s best for me, so long as it’s also what’s easiest... [more -->]

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