Author Archives: JR Stanley

Often difficulty lies not within the task or struggle itself but is a function of the inability to select the time, place, and duration of that struggle. Nearly any task, even the most benign, becomes a significantly greater struggle when done at an unpredictable time in the middle of the night. Running 5 miles inContinue reading “Choose Your Grind”

In the iconic scene from the Dead Poet Society, Robin Williams encourages each of the students, members of the class to take their turn standing on top of the desk. One by one each pupil files up to the front of the class, stands on top of the desk, and looks out at the worldContinue reading “The Problem of the Pedestal”

The happiest place on earth. That’s a lot of pressure. A place that you arrive to and are then forced to think, “this is the best that there is.” As you mill around in the line again it hits you, “It’s all downhill from here”. Later as you exit a creative ride with catchy musicContinue reading “The Happiest Place”

One of the most dangerous decisions in life is unmonitored change. In medicine, making a change, whether it be a procedure, a medication, a lifestyle modification, or another form of therapy, requires follow-up. In many cases, this follow-up is equally, if not more important than the actual change. Follow-up may take a variety of forms.Continue reading “Course Correction”

Good people, interesting problems  Most people do not have a singular driving passion, something that keeps them awake at night, something that wakes them up in the morning. They have many interests and enjoy doing multiple things. Their passion is not like an itch that relentless perturbs their consciousness reminding them that it is there.Continue reading “Good People, Interesting Problems”

A greater game is afoot. Is there something beneath the surface that goes unseen yet underlies, even drives, everything that is seen above the surface? Does face value represent true value or is it a facade disguising something greater beneath? Does the image that our eyes perceive represent truth or is it merely an imageContinue reading “A Greater Game Is Afoot”

Everyone is a visionary. Everyone has a vision, an image of who they are, of their place in the world. However, it is up to each individual whether their visions are grand or small, whether they aspire to new heights or prefer to remain within the safety of the known. Throughout history, the greatest peopleContinue reading “Everyone is a visionary”

Ask anyone to name the most important people in their lives, those who have made the biggest impact on who they are as a person, on how they have grown over the years, and you will invariably get a list of teachers, coaches, parents, siblings, friends, employers, and the like. The unifying attribute amongst theContinue reading “Advocates”

During an interview Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, was asked what trait he looked for in new hires. Contemplating the question, he responded,  “Do they create clarity? Do they create energy”   Energy and clarity, two characteristics that are invaluable not only within the workplace but in all areas of life.  Not only is the presenceContinue reading “Clarity and Energy”

Guard carefully the fire that burns inside you. Remember how feeble the flame was at first, how it quivered in the frigid air, how the slightest breeze threatened to extinguish it. Remember how you nursed it along, with bits of the choice fuel, using your body to protect it from the winds. Remember the feelingContinue reading “Guarding fire”