jamesmarross

Filling the Vessel : Why Efficiency Alone Won’t Save You

A reflection on family, work, and the trap of always filling the vessel with more. We’re gearing up for an adventure! I’ve been ruminating on it for days, eager to create a memorable experience for my wife and daughter. With my wife’s birthday approaching, the clock is ticking. Planning for birthdays isn’t typically my forte,Continue reading “Filling the Vessel : Why Efficiency Alone Won’t Save You”

The Dream of the Office Maze

I jolted awake at 3:30am, my mind a buzzing with dreams. A nagging headache warned that sleep wouldn’t return. So, I got up and started my day with simple rituals. Did my headache provoke the dreams, or did they ignite the pain? Maybe they’re cosmic dance partners. These dreams unfolded in a surreal corporate worldContinue reading “The Dream of the Office Maze”

The Productivity Myth That’s Keeping You Stuck

We’ve all been sold a lie about productivity—the idea that working harder, longer, and faster is the key to success. But here’s the truth: Productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters. If you’re constantly busy but not making real progress, you might be trapped in the productivity myth. My Personal Journey: From BusynessContinue reading “The Productivity Myth That’s Keeping You Stuck”

I Haven’t Always Been A Good Leader

There’s a moment every leader faces. You step into the role, believe you’ll do things differently – only to realize it isn’t so easy. I haven’t always been the best leader for everyone I’ve served. Sometimes it’s personality differences—I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. Sometimes it’s the weight of decisions I don’t fullyContinue reading “I Haven’t Always Been A Good Leader”

How to Lead When You Don’t Feel Ready (Because You Never Will)

If you’re waiting to feel “ready” before stepping up as a leader, you’ll be waiting forever. The truth is, no one ever feels 100% prepared for leadership. Most of the best leaders started out with doubt, uncertainty, and imposter syndrome. The difference? They led anyway. I Thought I Had to Be Ready—Until I Realized ThisContinue reading “How to Lead When You Don’t Feel Ready (Because You Never Will)”

Forget Motivation – Here’s How to Build Consistency That Lasts

We’ve all been there—feeling fired up about a goal one day, only to lose steam a week later. The problem? Motivation is unreliable. People think they need more motivation to be successful. They don’t. What they really need is consistency. I used to chase motivation like it was the key to success. If I wasn’tContinue reading “Forget Motivation – Here’s How to Build Consistency That Lasts”

How to Make People Actually Listen When You Speak

You’ve been there—you say something in a meeting, and it gets ignored. Minutes later, someone else repeats it, and suddenly, it’s a brilliant idea. The problem isn’t just what you’re saying—it’s how you’re saying it. If you want people to listen, you need to speak with impact. Why Are You Being Ignored? Early in myContinue reading “How to Make People Actually Listen When You Speak”

Mistakes Don’t Define You – Your Response Does

Everyone makes mistakes. But mistakes don’t ruin careers, reputations, or opportunities—poor responses do. For a long time, I was terrified of getting things wrong. I believed that if I made a mistake, it would stick to me—that it would define me. I’ve worked in too many places where mistakes cost people their jobs. That beliefContinue reading “Mistakes Don’t Define You – Your Response Does”

The Science of Deep Work: Getting More Done Without Working More

Most people spend their days bouncing between emails, meetings, and distractions—yet wonder why they never make real progress. The secret to high performance isn’t working more—it’s working deeply. Understanding Deep Work Deep Work is the ability to focus without distraction on cognitively demanding tasks. Mastering it means producing better results in less time. My PersonalContinue reading “The Science of Deep Work: Getting More Done Without Working More”

The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe—Why Leaders Must Take More Risks

Playing it safe feels responsible—but in leadership, avoiding risk is the riskiest move of all. The best leaders don’t succeed by maintaining the status quo—they create breakthroughs by stepping into uncertainty. If you’re not taking strategic risks, you’re falling behind. I Learned This the Hard Way. I’m not exactly proud of it, but at timesContinue reading “The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe—Why Leaders Must Take More Risks”