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..The Worth-Your-Time Test
by Peter on April 1, 2010
in Harvard Business
Nate Eisman* recently started working for a large consulting firm after many years as an independent consultant. He called me a few days ago for some advice.
Read more..The Mostly Unplugged Vacation
by Peter on March 18, 2010
in Harvard Business
I'm going on vacation with my family in a few weeks, and I'm anxious.
Anyone who knows me knows how much I adore my family and the time we spend together. And that includes stuff like changing diapers and putting groggy kids back to bed at 4 am. Fun or not, I treasure it.
Read more..The Cardinal Rule of Rules
by Peter on March 10, 2010
in Harvard Business
I was in my home office, on the phone with a new client, when I heard a knock on the door. I looked at my watch: it was 4pm, the time my daughters Isabelle and Sophia come home from school. Generally I love taking a break at this time and hearing about their day.
Read more..How to Help Others Through a Difficult Transition
by Peter on February 23, 2010
in Harvard Business
"I don't want to go to ski class!" Sophia, my four-year-old daughter, was crying. I knelt down on the snow so we could be at eye level and asked her why.
Read more..