When we see the end result of creative processes, it can be easy to be awed, or even intimidated. That’s when it’s important to remember that what we’re seeing is the finished product, not the original idea.

Have you ever felt really stuck when trying to solve a problem in your life? Maybe you feel like you only have two options, and you don’t really like either one of them?

The first stage of the creative problem-solving process, "Clarify," involves exploring the vision to identify the problem, gathering data to understand it, and formulating challenges to create actionable solutions. Join me as we walk through tools to use that can transform your approach to problem solving.

Creativity isn't limited to artistic talent; it's a mindset, a process, and a set of tools anyone can develop. In honor of National Creativity Day, look at what creativity is – and isn’t – as we unpack some foundations and explore what creativity really means. Everyone is creative, so let’s access your inner creative spirit!

When you think about your life or work, do you focus on the gap or celebrate the gain? Today, reflecting on the two-year anniversary of my business, Teal Horizon Coaching LLC, I'm choosing to celebrate the gain by recognizing my growth and achievements since starting, which makes me feel grateful, proud, and motivated—much better emotions than those from dwelling on the gap. Let's take a moment today to look back at your own progress and celebrate your gains!

Our brains are wired to resist change, triggering feelings of threat, confusion, and fear of failure. These instincts, rooted in our biology, often manifest in defensive or withdrawn behaviors. Recognizing and addressing these reactions can help us navigate change more effectively.

One of the questions I am frequently asked is “What is coaching, exactly?” It’s a great question!

And given how many different “helping modalities” exist in today’s world, it’s an important question. Consulting, counseling or therapy, mentoring and coaching all share some common elements, but each is distinct and best suited for certain situations.

Why is it important to understand the differences?

At any particular time in our lives, most of us will realize that we need some help – whether in our personal or professional lives – to navigate the journey.

But what kind of help do we need?

When we know more about what each mode of helping is uniquely suited to, we’ll be able to better identify what we might need in each phase of our lives.

If you’re ever feeling stuck and considering getting some help, this blog can help you figure out what kind of help you need!

Meet Amy.

Amy is a manager of a remote team within a large organization.  While her team is small, they are responsible for producing a substantial number of deliverables on strict deadlines.

How has this team navigated the disruptions of a global pandemic, a change in leadership, and significant turnover among staff, and still managed to form a cohesive team that meets deadlines and produces with excellence?

They play to their strengths.  And that begins with their manager.

I’ve had the privilege of coaching Amy a few times along her journey, particularly as she moved into a larger managerial role with this team.  She was familiar with the CliftonStrengths assessment, so that seemed a natural jumping off point for our coaching work together.  

We all have talents: Natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that we can productively apply.

But having talent isn’t enough.

First, we need to clearly identify those talents – to define what they are and what they mean to us. We need to name them.

We need to understand those talents – to recognize how they show up in our lives and work and to appreciate the power they bring us. We need to claim them.

Then we need to apply those talents – to intentionally use them in specific situations so that we can build real strengths. We need to aim them.

Name, claim, aim. This is the process of developing our talents into strengths.

I love a good hike.  Moving my body, creating a bit of exertion, hopefully seeing some good vistas or interesting things along the way, maybe having good conversations with hiking companions.

Yes, I love hiking.  Except when I don’t.  When the weather gets cold or rainy.  When we’ve hiked a looooong time and I’m tired and I can feel blisters starting.  When it seems the whole hike has been uphill and I don’t want to “feel the burn” anymore.  Or worst, when we don’t end up where we thought we would and we realize that we’re no longer “hiking,” we’re lost.

All of these dynamics can be true about change.  It can be fun, exciting, and bring us new experiences.  And it can be exhausting, painful, and even create a sense of disorientation.

Luckily, there are maps to help us along the hike of change.

When I tell people that I have a crazy dog, they laugh and say, “Mine too!”  Then they ask me what breed, and I say “Mostly border collie.”  And they say, “oooh.”  

They know I win in the crazy dog contest.

Dewey came to us 5 ½ years ago.  His breed had been listed as a “Retriever mix” on the rescue’s website.  Maybe a little.  But that’s a generous characterization of my pup.  His ears may be “floppy retriever” but his energy and vigilance is alllll border collie.

Dewey’s origin story:  He was found as a stray in Cobb County, GA.  That’s really all we know.  He was saved from the high-kill shelters in the south by a rescue based in Niagara Falls, Canada that arranges dog adoptions throughout western New York and southern Ontario.  

We made the adoption arrangements before we met him.  (Lucky for him.)

I love a good mystery. Most of my favorite books, movies and TV shows are steeped in mystery.

And this theme is true in my faith life as well. One of my favorite aspects of Christian faith is our understanding of the Paschal mystery.

What is the Paschal mystery? Unlike books and movies, it’s not a classic whodunnit. It’s God’s plan of salvation as fulfilled in the Passion (suffering and crucifixion), death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

I could say more to address questions about what the words “Paschal” and mystery mean in this context, but that’s best left to the theologians and catechists. Or a Google search.

The question I’d rather explore is “What does the Paschal mystery mean for us?” Specifically. You and me. In 2024.

Have you ever washed someone’s feet?

Have you ever had someone wash your feet?

What was that like for you?

I know this is probably not the norm in the general population, but as someone who grew up in Catholic ministry programs, learning about servant leadership in a Christian context, teaching others about Christian, servant leadership, and worshipping regularly in a faith community, I’ve experienced my fair share of foot-washings.

They never get easy, or comfortable.

And they’re probably not supposed to.

A few weeks ago, in the Facebook group for Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaches, someone posted an interesting question:

“Does anyone know what the 35th CliftonStrength was?”

That question sparked one of the most entertaining threads that group has seen in a while.

A sampling of the responses: Sarcasm, Anti-WOO, Humor, Cynicism, Hope.

I took the conversation in a different direction.

For Christians, I think the 35th strength is the cross of Christ.

Have you ever taken Gallup’s CliftonStrengths® assessment?

If not, skim the first part of this blog until you see the section called “Why Strengths?”

If you HAVE taken the assessment already, have you downloaded your new “Top 5” report yet?

In January, Gallup released its new “Top 5” report for the CliftonStrengths assessment. As your friendly neighborhood Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, I thought I should let you know about it!

I sat for my morning prayer time a few days ago, feeling grateful for the sunlight… until I turned my head to look out the window and realized how hard it was to see out of the window because of all the grime that’s accumulated. (Actual photo accompanies this blog. Yes, it’s embarrassing, but at least you know I’m telling the truth.)

Yesterday, the sunlight streaming in through the windows in our house was so lovely… until I realized that I could now see all the cobwebs that were dangling from light fixtures and in corners of the rooms.

At any time in our lives, we may be living through a seasonal transition: a significant, transformative period in life characterized by distinct changes or shifts in various priorities in our lives. These may bring about substantial shifts in our thoughts, feelings, actions, and reactions, leading to uncertainty or instability.

Living through seasonal transitions impacts how we navigate our day-to-day lives, and also has implications for larger questions in our lives. We’ll touch on both here.

Imagine that you are having some knee pain. Well, not “pain” really. Just some discomfort, some of the time. It’s not a big problem, you just start avoiding the stairs unless necessary, and you cut back on how far or how long you walk or stand. You resign yourself to limping a little.

Now imagine that your other knee flares up one day: intense pain, swollen, hot to the touch, can’t bear much weight.

Which knee would you see your doctor about?

Yep, the one that’s in acute pain. Why? It’s urgent.

But what if the diagnosis is fairly benign, and that with rest and some ibuprofen, you’ll be right as rain in a week or two? And what if the knee that you didn’t see the doctor about is slowly wearing down its cartilage?

Which one’s more important to address?

What one thing could you do in your life that, if you did it regularly, would make a tremendous positive difference in your life?

Yes, I do want you to come up with an answer.

And just one answer. Resist the urge to name 5 things. Resist the urge to start action planning.

Let’s just do this one step at a time.

Assuming that you have an answer to the question above, the next question is:

We live in a world that has an urgency addiction. Every app has constant notifications and every news channel keep a scrolling feed of “breaking news.”

You might work in an organization that has an urgency addiction. Yes, even if (especially if?) you’re an entrepreneur, or work in a non-profit, or serve in a church. I’ve yet to find an industry that’s immune from this.

Sometimes, certain families and people even have an urgency addiction. Always in crisis, always rushing, always busy.