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Articles by Mike Robbins

Browse published articles attributed to Mike Robbins, with full-archive search.

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Showing 51–100

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Let Go of Control

I had a simple, but profound experience in the swimming pool last week - I floated on my back for the first time in my life. I do know how to swim and enjoy being in the water, but for some reaso I never was able to figure out how to float on my back when I learned to swim as a kid and as an adult it hasn't really been something that has come up as an issue in my life (although it has always been something that I wanted to learn, felt a bit embarrassed about not being able to do, and also didn't quite understand).

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,711 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Create Miracles Now

My friend Gabrielle Be stein's new book, Miracles Now, has had me stop and think more deeply about my own relationship to "miracles" and also how to create more of them in my life on a daily basis. As Albert Einstein said, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." This is so true! In this week's video blog, I explore this idea of miracles and share a few things you can focus on to create more miracles in your life.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,685 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Are You Addicted to Struggle?

During a sessio I was having with my new coach last week it became clear to me that I’ve been addicted to struggle for much of my life. While I wasn’t super excited to admit this, it has actually been quite liberating to address my struggle addiction directly and to see how it impacts just about every aspect of my life and work. How about you… are you addicted to (or at least very familiar with) struggling in your own life?

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,670 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Step Out of Your Box

One of our greatest sources of authentic power in life comes from our willingness and ability to act - especially in the face of obstacles and fear. To be truly successful and fulfilled, we must challenge ourselves to take bold and courageous actions and to go for what we want. Legendary author Ray Bradbury said, "First you jump off the cliff and then you build your wings on the way down."

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,665 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Let Go of Negative Comparison

I'm heading to my 15-year class reunion at Stanford this weekend. I'm excited to see some old friends, spend time on campus, and attend the various parties, sporting events, and fun stuff planned for the weekend. At the same time, I'm feeling quite anxious about the whole experience - knowing how easy it can be for me, especially in that environment, to get caught in a pattern of negative comparison.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,663 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently publishedTopic pending

It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

I was scheduled to fly to Dublin, Ireland a few weeks ago for a speaking engagement and when I got to the airport I realized I’d forgotten my passport at home. I felt mortified and embarrassed – and then angry when I realized I wouldn’t be able to get on my flight. After a few hours of stress and drama, I was able to get myself on another flight, which would get me to Ireland on time for my event – although it did cost me quite a bit of money and forced my wife Michelle to have to drop what she was doing and rush to the airport with my passport.

Primary topic: Recently published

Recently published

1,647 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Do You Embrace Change?

How do you feel about change? If you’re anything like me, you probably have mixed feelings about it. While it often depends on our perception of the type of change – big or small, good or bad, needed or unnecessary, easy or hard, etc. – most of us seek and fear change simultaneously.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,641 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Vulnerable Leadership

Vulnerable and leadership are not usually two words or concepts we put together. Most of us, myself included, have been taught that to be a "good leader" we have to be strong, convicted, and confident. "Never let 'em see you sweat," we've been told. However, I believe it's time for those of us who want to inspire, motivate, and lead others to step into our role as a leader with transparency, honesty, and vulnerability. As Mother Teresa said, "Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway."

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,627 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

We Are Not Our Bodies

I shaved my head again last week. This is the fourth time in the past five years I've done this. As has been the case for me before - it feels both liberating and vulnerable. My hair has been thinning for about ten years (most significantly in the past two or three) and, as I've written about a few times previously, this has caused me a great deal of fear, insecurity, and self criticism. These feelings are not new and aren't specifically related to my thinning hair (although it is definitely something that triggers them for me in an intense way).

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,621 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

We're All Doing the Best We Can

I'm sometimes amazed and embarrassed by how critical I can be - both of other people and of myself. Even though I both teach and practice the power of appreciation (as well as acceptance, compassion, and more) when I find myself feeling scared, threatened, or insecure (which happens more often tha I'd like it to), I notice that I can be quite judgmental. Sadly, as I've learned throughout my life, being critical and judgmental never works, feels good, or leads me to what I truly want in my relationships and in my life. Can you relate to this?

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,617 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Remember How Precious Life Is

I was deeply saddened to learn about the recent death of Hall of Fame baseball player Tony Gwynn. Tony was a star for the San Diego Padres in the 1980s and 1990s. In addition to being an incredibly talented and accomplished athlete, he had an infectious smile and personality. I didn’t know Tony personally, but he was always someone I respected and admired – both for his skill and for the type of human being he seemed to be.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,609 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Swing Hard (Just in Case You Hit It)

A practical article connected into the broader SelfGrowth topic graph.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,605 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Appreciating Failure

Failure! Just the word “failure” can send shivers up and down our spine. If you’re like me and many of my clients, you’re probably not a big fan of failing. However, if you think about some of your biggest failures in life, haven’t they taught you a great deal and been extremely valuable to ...

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,604 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

What Baseball Can Teach Us About Life

With all the excitement of the playoffs and the World Series (which, thanks to the success of the San Francisco Giants, we get to experience directly here in the Bay Area), I've been thinking about, watching, and appreciating the great game baseball a lot these past few weeks. As someone who spent eighteen years of my life (from the age of seven until the age of twenty five) playing organized baseball and who has been a huge fan all my life, the game has taught me a great deal.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,585 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Embracing Change

We recently went into escrow on our house, but don't yet have a new house to move into. As excited as we are about our move (just across the San Francisco Bay from Concord to Marin County), it feels pretty scary to not yet know exactly where we’ll be living next month.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,570 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Are You Bringing Your Whole Self to Work?

For us to truly succeed, especially in today’s business world, we must be willing to bring our whole selves to the work that we do. And for the teams and organizations that we’re a part of to thrive, it’s also essential to create an environment where people feel safe enough to bring all of who they are to work. The lines between our personal and professional lives have blurred more than ever in recent years, even inside the most structured and traditional companies.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,566 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

You Are Enough

I had a powerful conversation with my counselor Eleanor a while back about insecurity. She said to me, "Mike when you're feeling insecure, it's important to understand which aspect of yourself is feeling insecure.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,562 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Embrace Death, Live Life

My mom, Lois Dempsey Robbins, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in early March. The disease spread very quickly and on June 13th, she passed away. I was honored and grateful to be with her through her dying process. It was both horrible and beautiful at the same time.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,557 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Just Because You're You

About a year or so ago I started playing a game with my two girls, Samantha (our six year old) and Rosie (our three and a half year old). The game goes like this; I ask each one of them, “How much does daddy love you?” They respond by putting one or both of their arms up into the air as high as they can and say, “This much.” Then I say, “That’s right! And how come I love you so much?” To which they say, “Just because I’m me!”

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,550 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Let Success Chase You

March 27, 2014

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,532 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Appreciation: The Most Meaningful Gift

During one of her shows a few years back, Oprah Winfrey made a profound and beautiful statement that I appreciated very much. She said, "We do shows about lots of 'stuff' and my 'favorite things,' but what people want more than anything else is to know that they're appreciated...that's the best gift of all."

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,525 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Are You Living Your Resume or Eulogy?

I had the honor of both attending and speaking at the annual Wisdom 2.0 conference in San Francisco recently. The event was great, and one of the highlights for me was listening to an inspiring talk given by Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post. In her talk she asked us a powerful question, “Are you living your resume or your eulogy?”

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,524 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Can You Survive Without Your Phone?

As we were rushing around to get out the door for our 4th of July weekend trip to the lake, I misplaced my iPhone and was forced to leave without it...for 4 days! What at first seemed like a curse, ended up being a blessing! After the initial panic wore off, I actually felt free and liberated...and had lots of fun with Michelle, the girls, and our friends on the trip (probably more fun tha I would have had if my phone was with me).

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,509 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Are You Living on Purpose?

I was recently invited to be a speaker for an upcoming online telesummit called The Power of Purpose. While I’m honored to be a part of this program, the invitation had me pause and reflect a bit about my own life and work, and specifically ask myself the question, “Am I living on purpose?” My initial answer was, “Yes, of course I am.” However, as I thought about it more deeply, I could see that there are many aspects of my life and my work that aren’t “on purpose” at all.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,506 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

How to Move Through Your Fear

Fear is something that we all experience, especially on our journey toward deeper authenticity, fulfillment, and success in life. Being who we really are, expressing ourselves boldly, and going for what we want in life can cause a great deal of fear in us.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,497 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

It's Okay for Things to Be Easy

A friend of mine called me out on something important last week. He said, "Mike, this 'story' you have about things being 'hard' for you isn't really true. It seems to me that things come pretty easy, you just make them hard by saying they are. What if you started saying and owning that certain things come easy to you?"

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,486 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Testing is Not Trusting

In a sessio I had with my counselor Eleanor last week she said to me, "Testing is not trusting." I realized in talking to her that much of what I've been calling "trust" is actually me simply "testing" new attitudes, techniques, and approaches... hoping they will work out, but fearing that they won't (or at the very least wanting some kind of guarantee that they will.) Maybe you can relate to this?

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,477 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

The Trap of Comparison

How often do you compare yourself to others? If you're anything like me and most of the people I know and work with, probably more than you'd like to admit. And, as you may have noticed (like I have), this comparison process never seems to feel very good or work very well, does it?

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,476 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Trusting the Synchronicity of Life

I just finished Wayne Dyer’s new book I Can See Clearly Now, in which he recounts many of the pivotal moments of his life, the lessons he learned, and how he “can see clearly now” the meaning, purpose, and synchronicity of it all. I loved the book and got so much out of it. With my 40th birthday last month, I’ve been in a deep process of self-reflection and have been looking back on my own life and all that has unfolded in the past four decades. I, too, can clearly see all of the amazing synchronicity that has led me to where I am at this moment.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,476 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

How to Stay Grounded During the Holidays

The holiday season is now in full swing. If you’re anything like me you probably have mixed feelings about the holidays. I love the excitement, parties, decorations, rituals, music, gifts, connections, and more. However, even these fun things can wear on me.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,468 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Who Are You Trying to Impress?

As I prepare to speak at the Hay House I CAN DO IT event, I’m experiencing a myriad of emotions – excitement, nervousness, gratitude, pressure, curiosity, confusion, peace, and more. It’s thrilling and humbling to be invited to speak at an event like this with such powerful teachers and authors like Wayne Dyer and Caroline Myss, whom I’ve admired and learned from for many years. I’ve never actually been a part of an event like this, although I’ve dreamed about it for a long time and hope this is the first of many such events I get to participate in.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,457 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Live Like You're Going to Die (Because You Are)

You're going to die. I'm going to die. Everyone around us is going to die. The reality of death is, of course, both obvious and daunting for most of us. With the recent tragic events in Japan and some very serious health news I received from someone close to me, I've been thinking about life and death a lot this past week. I was on a run a few days ago and thought to myself, "I wonder what it's like to know you're going to die?" Then I thought, "Wait a minute, we're all going to die - we just don't act like it."

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,449 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

There’s No Right Track

I was talking to a mentor of mine a few weeks ago and I asked him, “Do you think I’m on the right track?” He said to me, “Mike, the issue isn’t whether or not you’re on the ‘right’ track; it’s that you think there’s a ‘right’ track to begin with.” As we talked about this more and I began to think about it in a different way, I realized that so often I find myself striving for this insatiable “right track,” as if there’s some place I’m “supposed” to be and some outside authority who can validate it for me.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,440 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Creating the New Year with Intention

As we embark on another new year of life, I find myself experiencing a mixture of emotions about 2010. I’m excited about the possibilities of this New Year and inspired by the energy of creation that exists at this special time.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,436 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

It Takes Courage to Put Ourselves Out There

In the past few weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about the courage it takes to step out, take risks, and put ourselves out there. Even though I know how important this is for growth, in business, and for life – I still find it tricky, scary, and challenging at times. I also realize it’s one thing to talk about putting myself out there and another thing to actually do it. With the launch of my new website and the announcement I made last week about my forthcoming book, Bring Your Whole Self to Work, being available for pre-order, I’ve been feeling both excited and scared.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,434 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Worry Never Works

I was talking to a friend of mine last week and she said, “If worrying worked, I’d weigh 115 pounds and be a millionaire by now.” I laughed out loud – appreciating her humor and insight. Worrying, which is something I’ve spent and wasted a lot of time and energy on throughout my life, never seems to work, does it? Worry is actually detrimental to our health, well-being, and our ability to manifest both the things and feelings we truly want in life.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,428 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Be a Fan and a Critic

I saw Rev. Michael Beckwith perform a re-commitment ceremony for a married couple a few years back and it blew me away. He looked at the husband and said, “Your job is to be her biggest fan and her greatest critic for the purpose of her spiritual development.” He then turned to the wife and said the same thing to her about him. As simple of a concept as this was for me to understand, I’d never heard anyone say it quite like that before. As what he said fully registered with me, I was moved deeply and began to cry.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,423 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

The Best Gift of All

During one of her shows a few years back, Oprah Winfrey made a profound and beautiful statement that I appreciated very much. She said, “We do shows about lots of ‘stuff’ and my ‘favorite things,’ but what people want more than anything else is to know that they’re appreciated...that’s the best gift of all.” At this time of year it's easy for us to get caught up in the stress of getting everything on our “list” crossed off, preparing for parties and events, and rushing around to buy gifts.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,419 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Are You Choosing Unhappy Over Uncertain?

I've been re-reading Tim Ferriss' great book The Four Hour Workweek, which has been expanding my mind and giving me lots of great ideas. In the book, Ferriss states that "most people choose to be unhappy rather than uncertain."

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,416 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Be Real and Compassionate About Money

A practical article connected into the broader SelfGrowth topic graph.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,409 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

The Power of Letting Go

My wife Michelle read the bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and has transformed our house over the past few months. I’ve enjoyed and appreciated all that she has shared with me about the book, and especially all that she has done to de-clutter and tidy up. However, until this past weekend, I hadn’t really engaged in the process much myself. But, starting with my clothes and then moving onto my books, I had a transformational experience over the past few days going through everything and letting go of a LOT.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,403 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

The Triangle of Truth

I have a love-hate relationship to conflict. I love it when things “work out,” but hate it when they don’t.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,399 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

How to Appreciate Your Challenges

Are you facing challenges in your life or your business right now? These days, there are some real challenges facing many of us - at work, at home, in relationships, with money, with family, with housing situations, and much more.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,395 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

What We CAN Change

My friend Rich came over to my office last week and we had a wonderful and authentic conversation about what's going on in each of our lives right now. I'm so grateful to have people in my life like Rich whom I can talk to and get real. Authenticity creates freedom and having people around us we can truly be ourselves with is so important. Rich and I talked vulnerably about our relationships, our challenges, the things we're most excited about, and some stuff we'd both like to change about ourselves and our lives.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,392 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

It's About Appreciation, Not Achievement

It's about Appreciation, not Achievement Have you ever found yourself waiting for something “good” to happen so that you could be happy? “When I get that promotion, lose those ten pounds, fall in love, graduate from school, pay off my debt, have a baby, buy a house, accomplish that big goal, ...

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,391 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Have the Courage to Be Vulnerable

Given the focus of my work, especially in the past five years since the release of my book Be Yourself, Everyone Else Is Already Taken, which is all about authenticity and vulnerability, I’m constantly in situations where I’m talking about, encouraging, and seeing the positive impact of vulnerability.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,388 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Life is “Brutiful”

My wife Michelle and I recently went to see Glennon Melton speak about her new book, Carry On Warrior. Glennon is a blogger from Florida who has a very successful blog called Momastery.com. Her posts are read by tens of thousands of moms like Michelle (and others) around the world. I thought I was attending the event to support Glennon’s new book and to support Michelle (since she loves what Glennon does so much). And even though I was one of only a handful of men in the sea of a few hundred women at this event, I got so much out of it.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,372 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Take Care of Your Animal

This video blog post (http://mike-robbins.com/take-care-of-your-animal/) is inspired by an interview with Elizabeth Gilbert and my friend Jonathan Fields on his podcast, The Good Life Project. Elizabeth talks about the importance of taking care of her “animal” (aka her physical body) so that her “supercomputer” (aka soul/spirit/creative life force) can function at the highest level. I love this simple, yet powerful distinction. If we can take good care of ourselves on a basic, physical level, not only are we healthier, but we become more open, receptive, creative, and powerful.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,372 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Completing the Year with Power

These few days before the start of the new year have a magical and sacred quality to them. I appreciate the lull in activity that often takes place this week and the opportunity we have to reflect back on the year that is ending, as well as to create new possibilities and intentions for the year that’s about to start. It often seems more exciting to focus on our “resolutions” for the coming year than it does to look back.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,371 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Expand Your Capacity for Trust

Trust can be tricky for many of us, myself included. It can be scary, seem naïve, and feel vulnerable. We often spend a lot of time and energy shielding ourselves from failure, being taken advantage of, or having our trust violated. What are we really protecting ourselves from? As someone said to me many years ago, “Mike you’re living your life as though you’re trying to survive it. You have to remember, no one ever has.”

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,362 views

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