William O. Douglas was the longest serving Supreme Court Justice in United States history. He served from 1939 to 1975. Even a basic understanding of history would tell you that he presided during times of significant change. In fact, in the role of a Supreme Court Justice at any time in history would force a

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Once upon a time someone started a new job. It was a job where their work was visible to many, and they were naturally nervous. As they began, their nerves got the best of them, and they made a grievous error within seconds of the start of their job. It was a big error, but

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Over 130 years ago, something amazing and historic happened. The United States government made about 2 million acres of public land in Oklahoma available to homestead. Here’s how it worked. Starting at noon April 22, 1889, legal settlers could claim lots up to 160 acres. If the settler lived on the land and improved it,

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It is a big country we live in. I’m reminded of it often, especially on long flights from my Midwestern home to western locales. While we deliver workshops in many locations around the country, next month we are going to the northwest corner of the continental United States to Seattle to deliver not one, but

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Today’s quotation seems especially appropriate for spring. I hope it inspires and challenges you as much as it does me. Questions to Ponder – What am I thinking about? – Am I putting words to my plans? – Am I willing to act on those plans to create the results I want? Action Steps 1.

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Monday afternoon a nation’s collective consciousness focused on one of the grand cities of our country.  During a day of celebration, horror happened.  This short piece isn’t meant to make light of or lessen the pain and problems caused by Monday’s events, but it does give us a glimpse into human behavior that we as

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In the leadership workshops  I teach, decision making always comes up.  In the consulting and coaching I do, I see the habits and approaches of leaders around decision making.   While some people are quite proficient at decision making, more are proficient at not making a decision. Indecision. I see it everywhere, and it is hurting

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Many years ago on the way to lunch an obviously upset friend asked me if he was stubborn, explaining that someone had told him that a few minutes earlier. Rather than immediately answering him, I paused and asked a question instead.  “Do you think you are persistent?” To which he immediately responded “Of course.” After

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When you think of self-help authors in the last 100 years, this author’s name will come to most people’s minds. His influence went beyond those who read books, and is still being felt today – nearly sixty years after his death.  Admittedly, his ideas have been influential for me – I’ve read nearly all of his books,

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