Author: Karen Thrall

Setting Boundaries for a More Fulfilling Career: Redefine Your Work Environment

(read time: 2-3 min) Q: “Is it possible to be successful and be fulfilled in my career if I’m in the wrong work environment?” A:  It’s possible, but you’ll have to set some boundaries. When you feel like you’re a puzzle piece that doesn’t quite fit, and you wonder whether it’s worth the effort, should […]

‘Self-Promote’ Is Not A Swear Word: Strategies for Career Advancement

Article (read time: 5-7min) Introduction Advancing your career requires a blend of boldness, confidence and sincerity. Many professionals shrink back at the thought of self-promoting. They perceive it to be arrogant or somewhat egocentric.  However, there is a way to self-promote that is both acknowledging and highlighting your expertise while respecting your teammates and without […]

Urgency is a rarity, not a lifestyle

Urgency:  It’s important.  And it needs swift action. (That’s how Oxford dictionary describes urgency.) Do we wear urgency like a badge of honour?  What causes us to believe that ‘things’ need to get done immediately?  Will I remember this urgency twenty years from now?  If not, then why do I give it so much of […]

Passion, Never Quench Its Flame

“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.” – Ferdinand Foch When my daughter was 14 years old, we went to Spain together.  It is a very special memory.  I always love travelling with my daughter.  Whether on a road trip or exploring different regions, it’s easy being her travelling companion. […]

Silence Your Self-Critic

I was in the 2nd grade and my teacher was teaching us about impromptu speaking.  She wrote questions on pieces of paper and put it in a container.  Each one of us took one of the pieces and had a few minutes to prepare our thoughts to speak in front of the class for 30 […]

COVID-19: not one fear, but three

In the midst of this pandemic we are not facing one fear, but three:  the fear of loss, the fear of scarcity and the fear of isolation. I enjoy engaging in thought-provoking conversations with my dad who’s 87 years old.  Realistically, my parents are in the vulnerable category of the covid-19, and I believe they […]

Judging others is really easy to do.

A person I’m quite close to recently said to me, “I feel like you’re judging me.”    I paused, quickly asked myself if there was any truth in that phrase, and, with sadness, responded, “Yes, that’s true.  I’m judging you.  I’m sorry.” It was a weird feeling to be called on it. I could’ve justified […]

THEY LIKE ME. THEY LIKE ME NOT.

[1]  BOTTOM LINE:  It was quite liberating when I first realized I only had a 50/50 chance of someone liking me. It doesn’t matter how much I want someone to like me (or worse, EVERYONE to like me), that decision is out of my control. It’s perfectly ok if you don’t feel a connection with someone, […]

How well do you respond to strangers?

Let’s say I give you a cup of water, and you say “Thank you”, and my response back is, “You’re welcome.” – what my response is actually saying is, “You are welcome into my space.  You are welcome here.” Think about the expression “Welcome home!”.  Why do we say that? Or why do families place […]

STRIVING (sigh, sooo exhausting)

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_video _builder_version=”3.0.105″ src=”https://youtu.be/IazOpBYjlCY” module_alignment=”center” max_width=”50%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” /][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.105″ background_layout=”light”] (this video is an intro to the article) [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.0.105″ src=”https://karenthrall.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/mud.shoes_.striving.ATweilstyle-Ethan.Weil-537983-unsplash.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” align=”center” always_center_on_mobile=”on” force_fullwidth=”off” module_alignment=”center” show_bottom_space=”on” max_width=”75%” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.105″ background_layout=”light”] I was having dinner with a dear friend of mine. I knew something was a bit “off” in me. […]

Can you forfeit your talent? [yes.]

If you have an inkling of talent, a hidden talent, a secret talent, talent that was recognized when you were a child – whatever it may be – use it if you don’t want to lose it. My mom surprised me and sent this in the mail. (see photo). Flooded me with memories. That’s my report […]

A SMALL WIN EACH DAY IS PART OF YOUR NORMAL

My friend told me a story of a baby shower where the host started the evening with an icebreaker game. She asked the group to cover the face of their watches and try to describe what it looked like.   Everyone covered up their watches and a woman volunteered to guess the face of her watch.  She first guessed, “It […]

FEAR LOSES. STRATEGY WINS.

  May 1st marked my three year anniversary of leaving my role at John Fluevog Shoes, and with the support of my two kids, I bid farewell to Vancouver, packed up my car and drove to San Diego to pursue my life dream. The closing of a chapter began when a Vancouver sales associate mentioned a […]

MOLLIFY: the olive branch

The “DO ANGRY WELL” Series.  Part 3 of 3   I was getting gas in Old Town San Diego and the pumps have tv screens for advertisements, music or ‘fun facts’. I look at the screen and it says “Word Of The Day” and the word MOLLIFY appeared. Mollify: to appease the anger or anxiety of (someone); […]

DO I LIKE MYSELF WHEN I HAVE A TEMPER? (part 2 of Do Angry Well)

    “Karen, you have a temper.” (ack, definitely not something I wanted to hear..) KT: But, but… err uhh…. have you seen my sparkly bright eyes and big smile? I think you’re mistaking me for someone else. “There’s nothing wrong with having a temper. Accept it. Be aware of it.” KT: Let’s do the math. Soooo, you’re saying that 90% […]

DO ANGRY WELL (part one)

Anybody can become angry – that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way – that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy. – Aristotle Anger is fascinating. For many years […]

DETERMINATION & THE PINK UMBRELLA

​ It was in the early morning of a cold, rainy November when I drove by an elementary school.  I looked to my left and an adorable, sweet human caught my attention.   I pulled the car over and watched in silence, with only the faint sweeping sound of windshield wipers. A little girl, who […]

PLEASANTLY SURPRISED

We are ever evolving and changing. The dictionary defines evolving: “to develop or achieve gradually.” How recent has it been since you found out something new about yourself? In 2015, I was invited to a Strengthsfinder seminar that the Gumpert Foundation was hosting in Encinitas, CA. If you’ve not done a Strengthsfinder assessment, I’d highly recommend it. It’s an […]

The Purpose of Daydreaming

A passerby saw a child staring into an open field.  Amused, he asked, “What are you looking at?”.  Without hesitation, the child replied, “My castle.” When I was a little girl, I lived in a big world of imagination.  I didn’t need ‘gadgets’ to help me create adventures. Actually, I needed very little to keep […]

Belief systems that hold us back

So if a dog bites you ONCE, will you never trust a dog again? Well, sometimes that’s exactly what happens. Let’s pretend you’re two years old and a big spotted dog bites you.  That’s quite scary and traumatic for a little toddler.  Without fully being aware, that little person creates a belief system and might […]

“What are you hearing me say?”

  The best part of coaching are those magical moments. We’re engaged in dialogue, the conversation is flowing and I’ll point out important information based on what the individual is verbalizing.   So, what exactly is the magical moment? After I share my thoughts, I ask, “Ok, so what did you hear me say?” The best […]

When You Wipe The Sweat Off Your Brow…

  I’ve been thinking about the importance of sweating physically, mentally and philosophically. One of the most popular goals people have is choosing a healthier lifestyle through exercise and diet.  But very few will stay committed to this goal. What sets apart the committed from the uncommitted?  Sweat. 1.  Choose Sweat:  “Sweat equity is the […]

10 Reality Checks Every Entrepreneur Should Consider

Hey friend, So you’re starting a business, and you want to know my thoughts? [1] PERSISTENCE: First, you must believe that your efforts (your commitment to what you believe and desire, your tenacity, your patience, your confidence to keep going, your perseverance, your ability to stand back up after you get knocked down, your sweat […]

A Measure of Sacrifice is Required

What are you willing to give up in order to pursue what you really want?  What are you willing to let go of for the sake of your dream? What might you have to leave behind because it’s not helping you get where you want to go?   A key ingredient to an entrepreneur’s success […]

HEY YOU, THE LEADER, KNOW YOUR GUIDING VALUES!

I came across a document I wrote on January 1, 2008, expounding on my three guiding values.  I was immediately curious to read it – wondering if it still resonated within me.   The answer?… YES!!   Isn’t it incredible that guiding values live inside us regardless of the changes of life, new chapters, same […]

THE WINTER OF BUSINESS

“I write probably 80 percent of my stuff over the winter.” –Bob Seger Using the metaphor of ‘seasons’, every business, no matter what type, goes through a winter season. Spring is fresh and new.  Summer is vibrant and steady.  Fall is transition and change.  Winter… oh winter… winter is stillness.   In winter, the leaves […]

WHEN EXPERIENCING LOSS

    The loss of a life. The loss of love. The loss of a job. The loss of health. The loss of money. The loss of friendship. The loss of a game. Why is loss so painful? It creates a grief in our hearts that can feel unbearable, overwhelming, deflating, disheartening, discouraging, anxious. We […]

INNOVATORS SPIT ON WORRY AND CARRY ON

  What makes us shrink back or hold back? When I’m hanging out with my wisest friends (who are 70 years and older), I notice a common occurrence: they are less affected by circumstances. They carry an acceptance about where they are, who they’re with and what they’re doing in that very moment. All that […]

KNOW YOUR STRESSORS

  Taking inventory of our internal well-being on a regular basis is fundamental to healthy living. When we go through a challenging time, a big change, an unexpected disruption (or a planned one), it’s a good idea to ask ourselves, “Heyyyyy youuuu inside there, how are you doing?” The most important part of stress is […]

WHEN COMPANIES BEGIN TO CRUMBLE

      So, you want to grow your business? Great! Then whatever you do, pay attention to the internal workings of your company! Overlooking your infrastructure is like biting into a rotten apple. Looks juicy and delicious on the outside, but on the inside it’s decaying. This mustn’t happen. Yes, I agree that cash […]

4 Pillars of Wisdom for Start Up Companies

    If you’re going to start a business, here are four areas to keep track of and be diligent with: MONEY:  Keep your personal living expenses at an all time low. You’re on a tight-string budget. Accept it. What you used to do, you can’t do – FOR NOW. It will pass. Only buy […]

CONFESSIONS OF A WOMAN: Hi, my name’s Karen and I like aging.

  Why are we afraid to show our age? Why do we love to hear that we look 10 years younger? (I do, too!) But does it really matter that much? I have wrinkles. The crow’s feet around my eyes continue to increase every year. Perhaps it’s partly due to playing golf and being out […]

WHEN YOU TALK TO YOURSELF (and why it’s a good idea)

    “What I like best about cell phones is that I can talk to myself in the car now and nobody thinks it’s weird.” ― Ron Brackin, Author It’s quite common now to watch people walking down the street talking to, what appears to be, no one. They have this little piece of technologically […]

THINK THINK THINK: it does the mind good

    May 1, 2015 I moved to San Diego to launch my business and chase my dream. Reflecting back on these past 10 months, I want to share something that is vital to great decision-making. Ready for it? Here it is: Every decision deserves time beforehand to think. Take all the time you want […]

CAREFREE or CARELESS?

  (photo by: Alex Pham)   I have a memory. I was a little girl and my mom was going to the grocery store. I asked her if my friend and I could go to the park and play in the wading pool while she went to get groceries. She agreed and dropped us off. […]

MAKE AN 80% DECISION

    MAKE AN 80% DECISION The difference between a great decision and a mediocre one is one word: doubt. I’d rather make a great decision and be 80% successful with 20% room for error, than to second-guess my decision, doubt it and then do 100% n.o.t.h.i.n.g! I’m someone who will fault at performing at […]

WE ARE NOT IMMUNE TO HOPE

  We are not immune to hope. Regardless of your circumstances, you will find a whisper of hope. We must find this hope in every aspect of our lives. Never dismiss hope. If there’s any topic I want to petition it would be in contending for the richness of living a hope-filled life. Hope is […]

THE THEME FOR YOUR YEAR. WHAT IS IT?

photo by:  Sylvain Guiheneue THE THEME FOR YOUR YEAR. WHAT IS IT?   Every year I present myself a theme. I reflect in December, in preparation for the year to come, and ponder what is the resource and gift I want the new year to bring me. I’ve been doing this for approximately10 years, and […]

ENABLING IN THE WORKPLACE

  ENABLING IN THE WORKPLACE In the last article I shared my personal reflections and experience surrounding the topic of enabling. Let’s translate this hurdle of enabling into the workplace. What does it look like when someone begins to enable? I want you to fill in the blanks before you continue reading. Humor me, pretend […]

ENABLING

    Recently, I’ve been reflecting on the topic of enabling. What I write in this article is my perception and perspective. I’m not a medical expert and do not have university psychological training. I’m reflecting on the word “enabling” based on my experience and my conduct. I’ve grown in leaps and bounds but on […]

RECIPROCITY

    When strolling on the beach it’s not uncommon to greet someone with a smile and be greeted in return with a smile. A word describing this kind of interaction is reciprocity. Yesterday, I needed to be focused and get some work done efficiently. Sometimes I get a bit of cabin fever because my […]