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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

You Have More Than This Requires

I had a powerful conversation recently with my good friend Theo. I was telling him about some of the intense challenges I've been facing and my underlying fear that I simply can't handle all that is going on (and what I fear may unfold in the coming days, weeks, and months). Theo listened to me with empathy and compassion, and then said something simple, but profound. He said, "Mike, it's important to remember that you have more than all of this requires."

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,153 views2/5 (1)

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 views1/5 (1)

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

A Little Bit of Appreciation Goes a Long Way

Oprah Winfrey is one of the most successful and influential people in the world today. Her life-story of the difficulty, poverty, rape, teen pregnancy, and pain that occurred in her early years are well-known and documented. For the first six years of her life, the young Oprah Winfrey was ...

Primary topic: Empowerment

3,605 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Embracing Powerlessness

In a recent sessio I had with my new counselor Eleanor, she said to me, "Mike, it sounds like embracing powerlessness is something that would benefit you right now." When she said this, a chill went down my spine and my body tightened up. "What do you mean, 'embrace powerlessness'?'" I asked. "Why would I want to do that?"

Primary topic: Empowerment

2,807 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

How to Give Yourself More Time and Space

How often do you find yourself feeling rushed, pressed for time, hurried, stressed, or overwhelmed? For many of us, myself included, these feelings are all too common, especially these days.

Primary topic: Empowerment

2,653 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Keep Your Head in the Clouds and Your Feet on the Ground

A few weeks ago while I was on a run, the saying "keep your head in the clouds and your feet on the ground" popped into my head. I'm not sure why I thought of this, but once I did I couldn't get it out of my mind.

Primary topic: Empowerment

2,505 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Remember How Strong Your Are

In early March of 2011, I was sitting in my car in the parking lot of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Half Moon Bay, Califo ia, where I was scheduled to speak later that morning. Although it was a pretty big event, I wasn't feeling all that nervous about it-I had other things on my mind. I called one of my best friends, Theo, to reach out for his support.

Primary topic: Empowerment

2,292 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Bring Your Whole Self to Work

I recently gave a TEDx talk in which I reflected on what I've seen and learned over the past fifteen years - researching, writing, and speaking about essential human experiences in the workplace. As I addressed in this talk, I believe that for us to thrive professionally, especially in today's world, we must be willing bring our whole selves to the work that we do. And, for the groups, teams, and organizations that we're a part of to truly succeed, it's essential to create an environment where people feel safe to bring all of who they are to work.

Primary topic: Empowerment

2,291 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken: The Power of Authenticity

How often do you not say or do something because you’re worried about how it’ll be perceived? For most of us, myself included, this happens more often then we’d like to admit. We live in a culture that is starving for authenticity. We want our leaders, our co-workers, our family members, our ...

Primary topic: Empowerment

2,208 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

We’re All In This Together

Like so many people here in the United State and around the world, I've had a very strong reaction to our election. Given the pre-election polls, I was shocked by the outcome, and given how I voted, I was disappointed by it. As I've ridden the roller coaster of intense emotions over the past week and listened to reactions, read articles, and talked with people in my life - I've been struck by the profound level of division and disconnection in our society, which actually conce s me as much as almost anything else right now.

Primary topic: Empowerment

2,206 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Are You Threatened By Other People’s Success?

May 16, 2013 (For this week’s audio podcast, click here.)

Primary topic: Empowerment

2,165 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Trust is Granted Not Earned

How easily do you grant your trust to other people? What factors play into your ability or inability to trust cert ain individuals around you? What do people need to do to ea your trust?r

Primary topic: Empowerment

2,090 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Life’s Easy... It’s Dealing With Ourselves That’s Hard

A practical article connected into the broader SelfGrowth topic graph.

Primary topic: Empowerment

2,031 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Distract Yourself in Healthy Ways

We live in a world of distractions. All day, every day we are bombarded with opportunities to be distracted.

Primary topic: Empowerment

2,025 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

The Importance of Flexibility

How flexible are you? For me, it depends - on my mood, how much fear or resistance I have about something, how attached I am to a particular outcome, and various other factors. However, as I look throughout my life (now and in the past), I realize that the situations, relationships, and experiences that cause me the greatest stress and frustration, are almost always the ones where I'm not being flexible. And, on the flip side, the more flexible I am - the more peace, ease, and fulfillment become available.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,998 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

The Power of Empathy

Empathy is one of the most important aspects of creating harmonious relationships, reducing stress, and enhancing emotional awareness - yet it can be tricky at times. I consider myself to be quite empathetic, but notice that with certain people (especially those I don't like or agree with and also with myself at times) and in particular situations, my natural ability and desire to empathize can be diminished or almost non-existent.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,989 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Nothing Changes Until You Do

In a recent session with my counselor Eleanor, she said something simple, but profound to me; “Nothing changes until you do.” She went on to say, “Mike, you keep trying to control and manipulate the situations, relationships, and outcomes in your life – thinking that if they changed in the way you want them to, you’d then change and things would be better. It actually works the other way around.”

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,972 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Think Big

I've had a number of experiences in the past few months which have both inspired me and challenged me to think big (and also to look at the ways in which I don't.) All too often we let our egos, our fears, our perceived limitations, or our selfish motivations get in our way from thinking big. In this week's video blog I talk about this phenomenon and how we can get out of our own way, with compassion, and challenge ourselves to think big in an authentic way.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,901 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Forgive Yourself

A practical article connected into the broader SelfGrowth topic graph.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,898 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Make Peace with Your Body and Appearance

This is an excerpt from my new book Nothing Changes Until You Do, posted with permission. Published by Hay House and available online or in bookstores.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,881 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Self Improvement vs. Self Acceptance

I had the honor of meeting author Robert Holden recently when we both spoke at the Hay House IGNITE event in San Jose, CA (which was an amazing experience, by the way). Robert is someone whom I’ve admired for quite some time. It was wonderful to get a chance to meet him in person and hear him speak live. In his talk, he said “There’s no amount of self improvement that can make up for a lack of self acceptance.”

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,809 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Embrace the Gift of Life

On January 7th, 2016, my big sister, Lori Dempsey Robbins, passed away after an almost four year journey with ovarian cancer. Lori was 45 and the single mom of our 11 year old niece. She was my first friend and one of my greatest teachers.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,808 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Watch More Sunsets

A few weeks ago I led a weekend workshop at Esalen. It was wonderful! On Saturday evening after our dinner break, one of the workshop participants suggested that we delay the start of our evening session so we could walk out on the deck and watch the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean. We did and it was spectacular.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,759 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Be Your Own Cheerleader

I recently saw a wonderful video on YouTube that has been making its way around the internet of a little girl passionately affirming herself and her life in the bathroom mirror ("My whole house is great, I like my hair, I can do anything, I like my family," etc.) If you haven't had a chance to see it, check it out - it's adorable, funny, and a beautiful example of appreciation in action.r

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,749 views

By Mike RobbinsRecently published1 topic

Are You Addicted to Your Device?

This past weekend, while we were away for the 4th of July holiday, I had a profound realization of how addicted I've become to my iPhone. While I love many aspects of how technology enhances our lives and allows us to connect with one another in some very cool ways, I'm also aware of the potential dark side of being so connected technologically that we lose connection with ourselves, those around us, and what truly matters.

Primary topic: Empowerment

1,738 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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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