The scariest part of failure is being seen when you're most vulnerable and least perfect. It is far safer (and easier) to hide behind dreams and schemes. It is even fun to dream and scheme -- to think "what if," and to create our own fairy tales -- you know,...

"Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no trouble, no noise, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of all these things and still be calm in your heart."
- Unknown

In our fast-paced,...

The first step in achieving anything is defining your vision. As a start, begin with this powerful question: "What do I want?"

It's easy to skip over that kind of question without giving it much thought. But without having knowledge of the answer, well, you probably won't get too far.

The aspects of things that are most important to us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity.
-Ludwig Wittgenstein

I have begun to apply my research-oriented analytical eye to my daily life. While this can be somewhat annoying, it is opening my...

So often the only thing stopping us from achieving a goal? Ourselves. We tell ourselves that we can't do something or that we are not good at something simply because we're not used to doing it or because we have never tried it.

For...

"When people go to work, they shouldn't have to leave their hearts at home." -Betty Bender

When discussing topics such as "joy," it's easy to neglect actually applying the wisdom that we find to our day-to-day lives. But if you...

Quotes are a wonderful source of inspiration. Many people collect quotes (myself included) or display them in their physical space as personal reminders. I love reading quotes when I need an energy boost or a little help getting motivated to tackle my...

Over the past six weeks, I have been conducting idea discovery sessions with fabulous individuals. These one-on-one sessions have illuminated 10 basic truths that I believe are essential for living a life you love. This list is not exhaustive; rather, it...

I was one of those kids who never allowed herself to be a kid. As a result, I missed out on many joys of childhood. I didn't know, for instance, what it felt like to lose oneself in artwork because I would not allow...

Bloggers typically are considered the stewards of up-to-the minute editorials and blasts of information. However, the recent tragedy in Haiti has prompted a new role for bloggers: changemakers. And it all began with a single action: a tweet by blogger Jeanine Hays....

The holiday season has officially begun -- bringing with it a traditional mix of feelings that range from excitement to misery. When you think about the holidays, do you focus on the positive events that give the season its unique flavor or...

"A man may fulfill the object of his existence by asking a question he cannot answer, and attempting a task he cannot achieve." -Oliver Wendell Holmes

Why has the acceptance of personal success become so taboo in our society today? In many cases, I think it is because we fail to recognize success when it arrives. When you struggle for something over a long period, the effort you expend...

A Personal Note From Carolyn: This is a raw, unfiltered post.

[image via NY Times]

Senator Ted Kennedy has passed away after battling a horrific form of brain cancer. I heard the announcement just minutes ago as I was shutting down...

About a month ago, I wrote about the In2 Effect, which is the secret technique I personally use to turn my negative thoughts more positive. When you apply the In2 Effect, you transform the negative into (or In2) positive, the hardship into...

Various studies show that an optimistic mindset will lift your mood and might add years to your life. But how do you look on the bright side when life is really bleak? Let's say you've lost a job, are going through a divorce,...

You might think that childhood cancer survivors would experience a narrow range of negative emotions from anger to sadness. What has often amazed me, however, is how hopeful and joy filled these survivors really are. In my book PERSEVERANCE (Forge, 2009), which...

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

If you ask ten different children that age-old question, you'll likely get ten different answers--all delivered with the determination and optimism that comes with the innocence of childhood.

For as...

How often do we identify and really think about the good stuff? We seem to focus an incredible amount of our energy on things that don't make us feel joyful--like the things that are missing from our lives. We wonder what we have...

Now, more than ever, I am reaching within for the strength to persevere. For me, the secret ingredient in that recipe is slowing down and looking at life from a different perspective. I realize that instead of focusing on what I'm losing right...