This is another in a series of posts derived from my book, “Sustainable You,” a workbook that explores the implications of the question, “What good is sustaining the planet if we’re not sustaining ourselves?”

Coaching as a service is in its infancy, compared to where I think it will one day be.

One reason is, many people aren’t quite sure yet what its value is. How is it different from counseling, or going to a doctor?

I like Al Lewis, the bomb-throwing wellness-industry analyst, but it’s hard to know which obscures the other, his brilliance or the chip on his shoulder. I’ve interviewed him, and we’ve corresponded from time to time. He’s engaging, informed, and a dogged polemicist whom I would not want on my trail.

This is another in a series of posts derived from my book, “Sustainable You,” a workbook that explores the implications of the question, “What good is sustaining the planet if we’re not sustaining ourselves?”

This is another in a series of posts derived from my book, “Sustainable You,” which asks the question, “why work to sustain the planet if we’re not working to sustain ourselves?”

In the battle between easy and hard, easy is most people’s overwhelming favorite. But we value hard more than many recognize.

If, for example, you have even the slightest interest in woodworking, which piece would you value more, the imperfect table you worked to design and create, or the ordinary piece you bought at IKEA?

Part of a continuing series related to ideas in my book, “Sustainable You/8 First Steps to Lasting Change in Business and in Life.”

We venerate the quick fix. Don't have the time, don’t have the money, don’t have the willingness to honestly examine a problem and invest in a real solution.

(How do you identify a “real” solution? Hint: It solves. When it stops solving, it’s not a solution any more, and maybe never was.)

Part of a continuing series related to ideas in my book, “Sustainable You/8 First Steps to Lasting Change in Business and in Life.” 

When I share about the changes I’ve undertaken in the second half of my life, relative to the first, I often hear the reply, “oh, I could never do that.”

Let’s put aside the details people react to, and consider the outlook. For the vast majority of possibilities, of course they could. Of course you could. Of course I could.

Part of a continuing series related to ideas in my book, “Sustainable You/8 First Steps to Lasting Change in Business and in Life.”

In far earlier times, humans had far fewer choices: Eat when you find food, find safety before dark, run or be eaten.

Today, of course, we can choose from 31 flavors, a dozen expressions of rice cake, and triple-grande decaf extra-hot no-foam skinny vanilla lattes. Oh, the riches of modern life!

Part of a continuing series related to ideas in my book, “Sustainable You/8 First Steps to Lasting Change in Business and in Life.”
 

On almost any topic that involves me, just about the most valuable question I can ask is “what’s my role in it?” Even when I’m fooling myself about the answer, I’m still better off asking.

Part of a continuing series related to ideas in my book, “Sustainable You/8 First Steps to Lasting Change in Business and in Life.”

I spent a swath of my life convinced I was doomed to a life of lonely fatitude in which I might as well eat to wretched excess whenever I wanted to, because it was as close to fellowship and love that I was going to get.

Today, I am 12-plus years into a supportive marriage, overflowing with love for each other and our gift of a boy, Joey.