Why I Returned My iPad
by Peter on June 16, 2010
in Harvard Business
A little more than a week after buying the iPad, I returned it to Apple. The problem wasn't the iPad exactly, though it has some flaws. The problem was me.
Read more..The No-Drama Rule of Management
by Peter on June 10, 2010
in Business Week, Harvard Business
I lay back in the chair, closed my eyes, and almost immediately felt my body relax. An instant later a stream of warm water rinsed through my hair while strong, competent hands massaged my scalp. For that moment my stress disappeared, washed away with the water.
Read more..A Ritual to Help You Keep Your Focus and Your Temper
by Peter on June 2, 2010
in Harvard Business
John McCaffrey* is a great guy. The CEO of a professional services firm, he's been successful by any measure. He's financially secure. He's happily married with several children. He's active in his religious community. He's smart, well read, reasonable, and likable. He's the kind of guy you'd enjoy talking with at a dinner party.
Read more..How (and Why) to Stop Multitasking
by Peter on May 20, 2010
in Harvard Business
During a conference call with the executive committee of a nonprofit board on which I sit, I decided to send an email to a client.
Read more..A Two-Step Plan for Changing Your Bad Habits
by Peter on May 17, 2010
in Harvard Business
I was on my cell talking with someone about something — I can't remember who or what anymore — as I ushered my three children toward our minivan, parked across the street from our apartment.
Read more..How (and When) to Motivate Yourself
by Peter on May 5, 2010
in Harvard Business
I woke up this morning to pouring rain and temperatures in the low 40s. I had planned on going for an early bike ride in Central Park but now I wasn't so sure. I like to get some exercise every day and given my commitments for the rest of the day, this was my only opportunity. But did I really want to get so wet and cold?
Read more..Why Not Having a Plan Can Be the Best Plan of All
by Peter on April 28, 2010
in Harvard Business
This weekend I went back to Princeton University, where I was a student over twenty years ago, to give a speech. As I traveled to the campus I remembered a single question that haunted my last few months of schooling: now what?
Read more..Don’t Get Distracted by Your Plan
by Peter on April 21, 2010
in Harvard Business
Wait a minute, I thought, as I looked up from the trail we had been hiking for several hours. Where are we?
Read more..Don’t Let Your Expectations Fool You
by Peter on April 14, 2010
in Harvard Business
Two weeks ago, with the sun shining and little buds emerging from tree branches, I got frostbite while skiing. Not just a little frostbite; several of my toes were snow white. Thankfully I didn't lose the toes but it took ten minutes in a hot shower for them to slowly and painfully return to their normal color.
Read more..An Effective (and Underused) Way to Reassure and Motivate
by Peter on April 8, 2010
in Harvard Business
Yoga is astonishingly predictable. Invariably after an hour class I feel light, supple, strong, and refreshed. But Liz's class felt even better than others. Afterwards I felt stronger and more refreshed.
Read more..