During a team event today at Google, we did an activity called the “wheel of life.” It explores several core areas of your life: You then score yourself on a scale of 1 to 10 based on how well you feel those areas are going right now. Scores varied across the team, but the commonContinue reading “The Wheel of Life”
Author Archives: Ian Estabrook
Morning Coffee, Perspective, and Blue Skies
Every morning, my girlfriend and I ask each other what we’re grateful for while we enjoy our coffees. She sat looking out the window and said, “I’m grateful for the blue sky.” I sat across from her, looking out the other side of the same window. “What blue sky?” I said. “All I see areContinue reading “Morning Coffee, Perspective, and Blue Skies”
One Powerful Question – Limitless Progress
This may be the most powerful question you can ask yourself to gain clarity, focus, and make progress on what’s important to you: “How’s this working for me?” I use this question often in my coaching program. You can apply it to any life circumstance: your health, your relationships, your personal goals… It’s all fairContinue reading “One Powerful Question – Limitless Progress”
The Flow of Life
One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned from operating in high-achievement environments for over a decade is, “Not everyday has to be your best day.” Contrary to what we may believe, what we’ve been taught, or how our environments nudge us, we don’t have to be everything to everyone. You don’t even have to beContinue reading “The Flow of Life”
The Story You Tell Yourself
“The story I tell myself matters, so I’d better tell myself a good story.” This is one of the most impactful lessons I learned from a mentor of mine. In practice, it means how we think about ourselves and our capabilities lays the groundwork for our behaviors. Here’s an example you might have heard before:Continue reading “The Story You Tell Yourself”
Gradually, then Suddenly
How did you go bankrupt?Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly. ― Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises Your health is an investment. When you eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep, you’re investing in your future. These investments add up gradually, compounding with time. The gains you reap are health, capability, and autonomy. Investing in yourContinue reading “Gradually, then Suddenly”
The Key to Continuous Progress
One of the most important skills you can build is the ability to adjust your goals and behaviors to match your current circumstances. Let’s say you’re used to working out three days per week. However, due to “life” happening – work stress, travel, social events, illness, etc. – you aren’t able to work out threeContinue reading “The Key to Continuous Progress”
Go Outside and Play
When was the last time you went outside to play? I mean really play, like when you were a kid letting your imagination run free. Months? Years? So long ago you can’t remember? If that’s the case, why don’t you make the last time… today? You owe it to yourself to feel a sense ofContinue reading “Go Outside and Play”
Overwhelmed? Use this 3 Step Exercise.
“How’s it going?” I asked one of my colleagues. “I’m overwhelmed,” they replied. “I’m so busy. I can barely keep up. Everything just feels like a lot to handle.” “Overwhelm” has become a common feeling. What does it actually mean to be overwhelmed? Here’s the Oxford dictionary’s definition of “overwhelmed”: “bury or drown beneath aContinue reading “Overwhelmed? Use this 3 Step Exercise.”
Fragility
I almost saw a child die today. It began as an evening like any other. I was walking home from work after picking up dinner for my partner and I. I was catching up on the phone with my dad. Nothing seemed amiss. As I continued down the road, I passed a convenience store. OutContinue reading “Fragility”
Ian Estabrook 