You Don’t Need to Have it All Figured Out
Anyone who knows me personally won’t be shocked by this piece of news: I don’t have it all figured out. Despite being nicknamed “Brother Teresa”, despite hosting a podcast called The Kindness Extremist, and despite literally writing the book on Making Work Work… I still struggle quite a bit when it comes to living up…
Being “Too Nice” Isn’t the Problem
I need to address something that’s been bugging me lately. I keep hearing this from friends, colleagues, even family members: “I’m too nice for my own good” or “my problem is that I’m just too nice to people.” The issue isn’t about being too nice. The real issue is about being nice instead of being…
Where to Get The Best Advice
It’s hard for me to believe this, but eight years ago, I resigned from my full-time job as a healthcare administrator in order to fully focus my efforts on keynote speaking, writing, consulting, and helping workplaces all over the world to become kinder and more compassionate. To say that the past eight years have been…
The Truth About Forgiveness
I need to set the record straight on one of the most polarizing (and also, one of the most misunderstood) words in existence: Forgiveness. I’ve had some pretty awful things happen in my life that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone (if you read my latest book Civil Unity you know what I’m talking about). Still…
Your Mental Health is NOT a Luxury
I had a conversation recently that broke my heart. A friend told me they wanted to start therapy but felt it was “selfish” to spend time on their mental health when there were “more important things” to focus on. I have to say this with my full chest: If you are fortunate enough to have…
It’s Okay to Change Your Mind
Yes, you have permission to change your mind. I know that might sound simple, but stick with me here. How many people are trapped in careers, relationships, or life paths simply because they announced their intentions at some point and now feel obligated to stick with them, even when those intentions are making them miserable?…
Why I’ll Never Walk Alone
Note from Shola: This article was written on May 30, 2020—five days after George Floyd’s murder. Its continued relevance years later speaks for itself. Twice a day, I walk my dog Ace around my neighborhood with one, or both, of my girls. I know that doesn’t seem noteworthy, but here’s something that I must admit: I…
I Want You to Like Me
I want you to like me. I have zero shame in admitting that. I want you to like me as a person, I want you to like my books, my keynote talks, my website, this picture of me with my outrageously adorable dog, Ace…you get the point. I sincerely want you to like me and…
Slow Down, But Don’t Stop
A few years ago while I was sitting in an airport on my way to a speaking event, I listened to an endurance athlete being interviewed about his #1 tip for success in running and in life. His answer was simple, but profound: “When things get hard, slow down if you must, but don’t stop.”…
The Signs of a Toxic Relationship
Do you know what makes a relationship or a person toxic? I do. More importantly, I know what to do about it. First though, let me be clear about what I mean by “toxic”, because that term is often wildly overused. I’m not talking about someone having a bad day or going through a rough patch.…