The CEOS School

26/02/2025

The Unexpected Lesson: Success is a Team Effort

Let me share a fascinating story about a business student who aced every question on her final exam - until she stumbled upon an unexpected curveball: "What is the name of the person who cleans your dorm?" Now, you might be thinking, "What does this have to do with a business degree?" Well, bear with me; there's a valuable lesson here.

Initially incredulous, the student questioned the relevance of such a query to her pursuit of a business career. It seemed like an odd deviation from the typical exam material. However, when she approached her professor, seeking assurance that this peculiar question wouldn't significantly impact her grade, the response was unexpected.

Success is a Team Effort

26/02/2025

Navigating Job Overwhelm: Finding Balance and Confidence

Hey there! Today, let’s dive into a topic that many of us can relate to: feeling overwhelmed at work. Recently, a man confided in me, saying, “I’m overwhelmed with my job. I feel like I’m failing, and I’m so afraid of being fired.” It’s a sentiment that hits close to home for many of us who have experienced the pressures of the workplace.

First off, if you're feeling overwhelmed at work, you're not alone. It’s a common feeling that can stem from various factors - tight deadlines, heavy workloads, or even the pressure to meet expectations. But here’s the important part: feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re failing or incapable. It’s a signal that it might be time to reassess and find strategies to regain your balance and confidence.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate job overwhelm:

Finding Balance and Confidence

25/02/2025

Finding Unexpected Blessings: The Puzzle of Life

Have you ever experienced a moment that seemed like a setback but turned out to be a surprising blessing? Life has a way of weaving together unexpected pieces that eventually form a beautiful picture.

Imagine the story of a young woman grieving her father's passing at an airport, overwhelmed with sorrow. Little did she know that this moment of despair would unfold into something extraordinary.

As she wept in the airport, a kind stranger approached - none other than the actor and director, Kevin Costner. Struck by her distress, Costner stayed by her side, missing his own flight just to offer comfort. Their encounter left a lasting impression.

Months later, fate brought them together again. While driving near her home, she stumbled upon a film crew, which turned out to be Costner's movie set. Remembering their earlier connection, she decided to stop. This simple decision led to a reunion with Costner and an unexpected introduction to a film executive.

The Puzzle of Life

25/02/2025

Finding Your Calling: Embracing Passion in Your Career 💉🌟

I recently came across a touching story in Tim Irwin’s book, Run with the Bulls without Getting Trampled. He recounts an experience during a routine blood draw where he encountered a young woman who displayed an extraordinary level of skill and empathy.

As he sat in the special chair, equipped with locking arms to prevent patients from falling, the young woman efficiently prepared his arm, inserted the needle, and drew his blood - all without causing any pain. Impressed, Irwin expressed his gratitude, to which she humbly replied, "Yes, I have a gift." But what struck him the most was her next statement: "I feel called to do this work, and I help people remain calm about something that normally makes them feel nervous."

Imagine feeling that kind of passion and sense of purpose about your job - knowing that your work not only utilizes your skills but also makes a positive impact on others' lives.

Embracing Passion in Your Career

24/02/2025

Finding Meaningful Work: Pursuing Passion Over Paycheck 💼🔍

Many of us find ourselves in jobs that don’t align with our skills or passions. I once spoke to a lawyer who confessed how each day felt like a struggle because he despised his job. His true passion? Teaching English. However, he felt trapped by the hefty paycheck of his legal career - prisoner to the $240,000 a year that had become his golden handcuffs.

After law school, his obligation to care for his aging parents, immediate family, and lifestyle quickly absorbed his increased income, making the idea of changing careers seem impossible and impractical. He found himself working solely for money, devoid of any sense of meaning or fulfillment in his work.

Pursuing Passion Over Paycheck

17/02/2025

Follow Your Heart: Don't Let Fear Hold You Back

What did you dream of becoming? I read a story recently about a university student chatting with his professor, who once dreamed of being a concert pianist. But fear of the unknown and the potential for failure led the professor to set aside his musical aspirations and choose a more stable path in teaching, where the paycheck was predictable.

One day, as the professor listened to the student's own dissatisfaction with his graduate studies, he walked over to the piano, sat down, and began playing a beautiful composition for an orchestra and soloist. A few minutes in, he abruptly stopped and turned to the student. "Do what is in your heart," he said. "I always wanted to be a concert pianist. Now I spend every day wondering how good I might have been."

Don't Let Fear Hold You Back

17/02/2025

Feeling Stuck in a Job You Hate? You’re Not Alone! 😩

Ever feel like your time is wasted dealing with clueless managers or navigating cutthroat colleagues? It's tough to keep a positive outlook when a coworker undermines you, leaving you embarrassed in front of your boss.

I chatted with a young manager who's successful but admitted, "I don't like the person I've become to succeed here." Another colleague vented, "Our corporate culture seems designed to crush spirits." And let's not forget those mind-numbingly boring tasks and the pressure to work insane hours. Add in the soul-sucking commute through traffic, and even the most patient among us can lose it.

Studies show many folks aren't exactly thrilled with their jobs. As comedian Drew Carey jokes, "You hate your job? Join the club. It's called everybody, and they meet at the bar."

You’re Not Alone!

14/02/2025

The Power of Checking the Details: A Lesson in Leadership

I recently came across a story from Colin Powell’s book My American Journey that really struck me. In it, Powell shares an experience from his military days that highlights the importance of paying attention to the details.

After a long day of training, Powell was preparing his troops to parachute from a helicopter. He had already shouted at everyone to double-check their static lines - these are the lines that connect to a floor cable to open their parachutes. But even after multiple checks, Powell decided to go through the crowd of soldiers himself and inspect each line.

He found one that was loose. Powell quickly pushed the dangling line in the soldier’s face, making him gasp.

A Lesson in Leadership

14/02/2025

Finding Significance in the Daily Grind: How to Pursue Your Dreams Despite Life’s Demands 🌟

Let's delve into a common struggle: juggling the everyday hustle with the pursuit of a meaningful life.

Ever wondered why so many people don't pursue a life of significance? One big reason is that they're immersed in the daily grind, simply trying to provide for themselves and their families. Life tends to revolve around routine. Most people we know expend their energy just managing the essentials: getting up, going to work, tending to family needs, nurturing friendships, and paying bills.

And when unexpected crises arise - like a last-minute parent-teacher conference or a plumbing emergency - it throws everything off track. For many, survival becomes the priority over truly thriving. Their aspirations get buried under the weight of keeping up with daily demands. The notion of dedicating oneself to a higher purpose can feel overly idealistic and often gets postponed for "someday," when life settles down and there's more breathing room.

How to Pursue Your Dreams Despite Life’s Demands

13/02/2025

The Essential Link Between Ambition and Accountability

Have you ever wondered about the disconnect between ambition and accountability? It's a topic that's been on my mind lately, especially as I observe the dynamics of leadership and responsibility in various spheres of life.
It concerns me to see a growing trend where individuals aspire to hold significant positions of authority and influence, yet shy away from embracing the inherent duties and responsibilities that come with these roles. How can you effectively lead others when you struggle to lead yourself?
Leadership isn't just about occupying a position, having a title or enjoying the perks that come with it. It's about shouldering the weight of responsibility and setting an example for others to follow. True leadership demands self-discipline, integrity, and a willingness to take ownership of both successes and setbacks.

13/02/2025

Breaking Free from Complacency: How to Take Control of Your Life 🌟

Let's chat about something many of us might relate to - sometimes letting life drift by instead of taking the helm and steering our own course.

With so much life and endless opportunities ahead, it's surprising how often we limit our vision to just the next few hours. For a lot of us, work becomes a grind to endure until the weekend rolls around. And let's face it, who can blame us? Falling into a comfortable routine is all too easy, without really considering where your career or life's heading.

But let's get real - living a life of significance demands focus, intentionality, effort, and planning ahead. Staying passive and complacent stops you from actively shaping your path in life.

How to Take Control of Your Life

12/02/2025

Escaping the "W***e and the Harley Syndrome" 🚀🏍️

Hey business owners and professionals! Today, I want to share a story that might resonate with some of you. A man once shared with me what he termed the "w***e and the Harley syndrome." Curious, I asked him to elaborate.

He explained that this feeling arose from being stuck in his job and overwhelmed by his numerous commitments. As the founder of a manufacturing company, he found himself unable to leave his CEO responsibilities at the office - they followed him everywhere. His days were filled with managing business affairs, participating in community activities, and attending to family responsibilities, which left him feeling drained. On top of that, he had a substantial mortgage in a gated community, four children enrolled in private schools, and a wife who demanded considerable attention and resources. He jokingly referred to this as the "commitment life" - a life consumed by obligations to others.

Here’s a breakdown of his situation and some thoughts on how to manage such overwhelming commitments: