Helping people to unleash their potential is my passion. Watching groups of people (e.g. organizations, teams, families, friends) discover ways to harness their collective genius is probably one of my favorite things.

I’ve been lucky to study and work alongside many brilliant collaborators, and that experience provides the foundation of my coaching and consulting practice. Teaching and implementing the “technology” of collaboration (and learning new best practices) enables bringing everyone’s best self to the task at hand.

Of course, unleashing potential usually entails super hard work. Therefore, I find myself giving (and receiving) a LOT of pep talks.

Now, what does this have to do with puppies, you ask? Well, I was unexpectedly overwhelmed with emotions when my dog gave birth to 8(!) puppies earlier this month. All that joy helped me take a few leaps recently. Thus, in Izzy’s honor, I present my second summer 2024 compilation: 8 pep talks for when you need a dose of courage or enthusiasm.

As I went about arranging this post, I realized that these themes are baked into all of Mint Chip Studios’ work. Thus, the first seven are matched with a prior blog entry if you want/need further inspiration. The Raccoon Society’s pep-talk generator stands alone.

Please send me your favorites. I welcome all pep talks!

Edit: Thanks for sharing so many inspiring ones. I’m adding the best below.

Quick Reference Guide:

Tree of possibility: reframe failure
Paper shredder (this is my current favorite): see possibilities in yourself and others
If at first you don’t succeed, you’re normal: hang in there
5 minute starting strategy: take the first step
Put down self doubt: know your worth
Be stronger than your excuses: stay on track
Know better days are yet to come: you’ve made it through 100% of your worst days
Pep talk generator: thanks Raccoon Society

#1 Reframe failure

#2 See possibilities in yourself and others

Thanks to Dave Manning for sharing.

#3 Hang in there

#4 Take the first step

In his 2024 Capstone presentation (starting at 3:40), Belmont Day School 8th grader William Li shared six tips for getting into a “flow state” (as defined by psychologist and researcher Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi). My favorite was #4: the five minute starting strategy. When facing a daunting task, tell yourself “I’m only going to spend 5 minutes on this.” This often helps you overcome procrastination and dive in. If it works, you can just keep on working. (Here’s a longer list of tips if you want more.)