Acknowledgment of Invisible Injuries
Most new start-ups fail within the first three years. Trying something new is hard, and keeping it going can be even harder. Whether it’s an exercise program, a change of eating habits, or setting the goal of launching a world class treatment centre, holding true to...
Mowing your lawn one line at a time
One of the challenges of PTSD and depression is that tasks can feel overwhelming. A simple chore, such as mowing the lawn, can feel much larger than it actually is. Perhaps when you’re mowing, you notice that the flowerbeds need weeding, or the...
It doesn’t matter what others think
It doesn’t matter what others think. If it’s real for you then it’s important. People often apologize for being injured. “I shouldn’t be this way, I was never deployed.” “I shouldn’t be struggling, I only went to Afghanistan once and my buddy over there is...
The business of getting better: part 6
Intoxicating anger Anger is intoxicating. There’s no doubt about it. It’s powerful, and has the illusion of strength. People will often respond to us more quickly if we’re angry. Anger can be a force to be reckoned with. The military recognizes this,...
The business of getting better: part 5
The freedom of choice. Many years ago I attended a work seminar where the facilitator spoke of the importance of developing a Plan B for any major venture you take on. His words struck a chord, for at the time I was working in a federal...
The business of getting better: part 4
Developing a solid Plan BIn her book Option B, Sheryl Sandberg describes the devastating impact of unexpectedly losing her husband Dave during a trip to Mexico. The purpose of the trip was to renew their wedding vows after eleven years of marriage. One minute he’s...
D-Day Commemoration
It was on the night of June 5, 1944 that Winston expressed to his wife that they were going to bed with the knowledge that by morning, 20,000 soldiers may have lost their lives.He was referring to Operation Overlord, the biggest seaborne operation in history. An...
The business of getting better: part 3
Changing the world, one conversation at a time. When we run programs at Landing Strong, we spend quite a bit of time discussing how to create an environment that feels comfortable and safe. Participants tell me that it’s not uncommon to walk into a community...
The business of getting better: part 2
Lesson 2: Developing your own personal brand Welcome to our second week of applying business principles to health and recovery. This week, I’d like to talk to you about the power of belief. Branding is a term in marketing that helps us understand the...
The business of getting better: part 1
Lately I’ve been doing a lot of reading about business. At Landing Strong, we’re committed to providing top-tier services on a non-profit budget. Hence the need for great business strategizing. As I read, I’m struck by how many business...
