Tom Collins

A close-up of an Asian woman and a Black woman playing basketball. Next to the image is a quote from Chip Conley that reads "The upside of a pivot in basketball is ... it gives you other options." This image is attached to the value of pivoting.

Is This the Perfect Time for You to Pivot?

Confession: I’m a fan of sports metaphors as life lessons. So when I saw the title of Chip Conley’s Wisdom Well blog post a few […]

By Tom Collins October 30, 2020 Business & Entrepreneurship, Creativity

Keeping it fun: performing the Learning Partners doggerel

It’s been three years since I posted the story of how I made the task of creating a brand statement into a fun process. I’ve recited the Learning Partners verses many times at networking events, but always meant to get a video version done. And here it is!

By Tom Collins October 19, 2020 Business & Entrepreneurship, Creativity

A Black woman sits at a desk looking at a monitor containing images of other people, as in a Zoom or other video conferencing meeting. Text over the mage reads "How to thrive in the virtual work world, and why grit is not enough."

How to Thrive in the Virtual Work World and Why Grit is Not Enough

I had the good fortune to have Angela Duckworth teach several segments of the Positive Psychology certificate program I took a couple of years ago. She used the research that led to her book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, as examples throughout. So I continue to follow her work and three of her recent newsletter items inspired this post.

Because these lessons align so well with the new Laser Learning program I’m testing as I write, I’m going to introduce you to it briefly, after we dig into how her latest thoughts can help you thrive in the virtual spaces we find ourselves navigating for work, school, and even social life.

By Tom Collins October 13, 2020 Business & Entrepreneurship, Tools & Technology

Writing Lessons from HGTV Stars

Ever wonder what the HGTV home renovations stars could teach you about writing and publishing your book? Check these lessons in book building.

By Tom Collins June 28, 2020 Books, Writing

Still No Justification (for justified page layout)

The neuro-science of reading and lots of expert opinion tell us why you should not use justified margins in your book.

By Tom Collins May 19, 2020 Book Design, Books, Indie Publishing

27 Quotes on Books, Reading, Writing, Learning, and Doing

I gathered a lot of quotations while researching the topics covered in Read ‘Em & Reap! Many are spread throughout the book, so I thought I’d collect my […]

By Tom Collins July 13, 2019 Books, Learning, Reading, Writing

A white woman in a lab coat holds a clipboard. She is in front of a blackboard with lots of mathematical and science equations. On the image is the Thomas Carlyle quote, "The best effect of any book is that it excites the reader to self activity." This image is attached to a post on how to achieve shared immortality.

Reaping the Seventh Reward: Shared Immortality

The subtitle of my book is 6 Science-Backed Ways Reading Puts You on the Road to Achieving More and Living Longer. The title of this post confirms what the judge I worked for right after law school taught me: No piece of writing is ever done; you just run out of time.

By Tom Collins July 8, 2019 Aging Well, Books, Learning, Reading

A man is seated at the top of a mountain holding his arms such that his hands are raised above his head. Next to the man is a dog. Text over the image contains a quote from Buddha that reads "Your work is to discover your work and then, with all your heart, give yourself to it." This is followed by a response quote from Tom Collins that reads, "And then, when you discover that it is no longer your work ... Rinse. Repeat." This image is attached to a post on how to apply Buddha's wisdom in the 21st century.

How to apply Buddha’s wisdom in the 21st century

Perhaps in Buddha’s time it made sense to identify your calling “and then, with all your heart, give yourself to it.” I’m not that old, so I can’t be sure if it was true in Buddha’s world, but I know that lifelong careers or jobs are pretty rare nowadays.

By Tom Collins September 18, 2017 Aging Well, Business & Entrepreneurship, Health & Happiness, Learning, Spirituality

How to build fun into your brand statement: the Old Dog Learning Limerick

After “retiring” from our BlogPaws business, I spent a lot of my time on getting clear about the work I want to do going forward and how to […]

By Tom Collins August 17, 2017 Business & Entrepreneurship, Creativity, Writing

An old public-domain image of a man and his young apprentice. Text over the image reads: "Message for Entrepreneurs: Be an apprentice, not a student." This image is attached to a post on the benefits of an entrepreneurial apprenticeship.

The Entrepreneur’s Apprentice: Creating Your Business Owner’s Learning Environment

“Be an Apprentice, Not a Student,” advises our friend and business coach Mary Anne Shew. Does that mindset resonate with you? It sure did for me! If you agree that learning should remain at core of how you work and live, let’s take a look at how adopting an apprenticeship mindset and finding a partner or group to practice it with can help you and your business grow.

By Tom Collins July 20, 2017 Business & Entrepreneurship, Learning

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