2013 Political Protests in Turkey: My Version

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The summer of 2013 was marked by mass political protests across Turkey.  The main protests lasted about a month with some continuing in various forms for another two or three months.  The Turkish mainstream media was not covering the protest and U.S. news sources were covering it only minimally.  Therefore, I like many others, attempted to keep my U.S. community aware of what was happening through Facebook posts.  Since I decided to post on this site about how living through the protests turned me into a Twitter convert, I decided to also share my Facebook posts from that time period here, for any who might be interested.

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The Gordian Knot: An “Impossible” Problem Solved in Two Partnership Coaching Sessions.

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The Gordian Knot: An “Impossible” Problem Solved in Two Partnership Coaching Sessions.

Sometimes conflicts between business partners can look hopeless, but because breaking up the business would be so costly, the partners may continue for months or even years in a sort of “cold war,” where everyone is unhappy but a solution seems out of reach. 

According to legend, King Gordius tied an extremely complex and intricate knot, and the oracle prophesized that the man who solved it would rule Asia.  After years of people trying to untie the knot in conventional ways, Alexander the Great simply cut the knot in two with his sword. 

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Tips for Lawyers Moving Abroad: Lessons from Three Years in Istanbul

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Tips for Lawyers Moving Abroad: Lessons from Three Years in Istanbul

As lawyers, many people may think that their only options for living abroad would be to work for a big international firm or an NGO.  But actually it’s not that hard to find or create a job for yourself overseas.  I moved to Istanbul in 2010 because my Dad had died and I was depressed and wanted a change.  Although technically I am a lawyer, I haven’t practiced in many years and went to Istanbul intending to create a coaching practice, not a law practice.  These tips are based on my experience as well as that of other lawyers who I met living abroad.

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Eleven Essential Issues to Consider Before Entering a Business Partnership

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he best way to maximize the chances of having a positive partnership experience is to carefully talk through all relevant issues prior to entering the partnership. Very few people have partnership agreements that are sufficiently clear and comprehensive. Even those who have legal contracts in place generally have neglected to address some basic issues that could and very often do lead to bad blood down the line.

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A Simple Trick for Brilliant People

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Have you noticed that smart people can be really ineffective and stupid people can be surprisingly wise?  Intelligence only gets you so far.  And sometimes it actually makes navigating life’s challenges more difficult.  My clients are brilliant.  My friends are brilliant.  I surround myself with clever, innovative and creative people.  I have noticed that intelligent people generally want to use their brains to figure out solutions (preferably innovative and unique) even when their mothers told them the answers thirty years ago or when the directions are clearly written right in front of them.

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Hold, Raise or Fold? - When to Stick With Your Plan and When to Retreat

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Last month I discussed how to decide whether to persevere and continue to pursue your goals even in the face of setbacks. This month’s article is basically part two. If you decided that your goals ARE worth pursing, how do you decide if you should stay the course or if you should revise your plan? Here are some of the questions to ask yourself:

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How to Manage Difficult Conversations

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Is there someone in your life who is driving you nuts?  A colleague, spouse, friend, boss, staff member, child?  I’m going to share my simple strategy for dealing with any difficult conversation in a way that actually improves the existing relationship.  Coaching is about clarity and authenticity, which is the focus here, rather than strategy. You can use the following questions to prepare for virtually any difficult conversation (except maybe asking someone out—you are on your own for that one).  I strongly recommend writing out your answers and/or discussing them with a friend or coach. 

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How to Design a Powerful Project

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Whether you are trying to find new clients, increase profitability, or finally start going to the gym one simple way to help yourself achieve the intention quickly is to write out a project plan.  The following are ten steps to create an effective plan.

  1. Set a specific and measurable goal, with a clear time frame. – Many of us aspire to get more of of the "right" type of clients, which is vague and, therefore, less powerful than a specific target like “sign a retainer agreement with one new clients who meets XYZ criteria by January 31”...
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Are You Using Your Time Well?

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How much is your time worth?  If your hourly rate is $400, $200, $95 or even $35, why are you spending time on activities that are worth $10 per hour, such as managing your contacts, book keeping, cleaning your house, etc.  I know, I know, I do it too.  It feels like a hassle to find someone to do the work, or no one does it well enough, or it's something you procrastinate about, and then you are in crisis mode so it seems easier to just do it yourself.  Or maybe you feel that a “good mother” or a “responsible business owner” would do this task herself.  If this represents you, take a minute, go find a mirror and try to tell yourself with a straight face that this is a good use of your time. 

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Book Recommendation: Get Clients Now!

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Get Clients Now! A 28-Day Marketing Program for Professionals and Consultantsby C.J. Hayden

If you are interested in expanding your client base, but are not sure what to do next, check out this book.  It provides tools for evaluating your existing business development strategies, identifying areas of weakness, and designing a 28-day action plan to target those areas.  The book walks you through the process of selecting ten specific daily or weekly actions and provides a useful structure for tracking your progress.  This approach to marketing works by focusing on a set of simple and effective strategies done consistently over a period of time.  This book can be used on its own or in conjunction with a coaching/accountability structure.

Top Six List: A Great Tool for Planning Your Day

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You can’t do everything. No one can. It is the illusion that we can (and should) do everything which prevents us from prioritizing and actually taking the actions that are most important. This tool from Accomplishment Coaching allows you to replace an endless to-do list with a focused list of priorities. Each day, take out a clean sheet of paper and

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Relentless Positivity: Friend or Foe?

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Have you noticed that some “positive” people seem smarmy, condescending and basically you just want to punch them? Meanwhile, others are magnetic and just being around them makes you feel more joyful, connected and alive. Small children are almost always in this category. This article is my two cents on relentlessly positive attitudes and what people don’t tell you about the law of attraction. I often meet people who say things like, “it’s important to always be positive because then you attract good things into your life.” This worries me. I get the value of being positive AND there is something insidious about the “always.”

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Our Iceberg is Melting: A Book About Organizational Change

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It is also a parable about organizational change written by one of the foremost experts on the subject at the Harvard Business School. The story explores the process by which crises come to the attention of leadership,

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