Blocks of Life -

May 9, 2026April 29, 2026 by Pete Wiley

Navigating the Rocky Road to Confidence

There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, closed-mindedness, and dogmatism. Confidence is generally considered to be a positive attribute, but it’s a slippery slope toward more closed-minded attributes. Confidence is an important attribute, but you can’t just turn it on; it has to be developed over time through experience. Some seem to have confidence from the moment they can walk and talk, but even those with natural confidence have to test that confidence through their experiences and interactions. The key is to learn what you’re capable of, what your strengths are, and how to be consistent in your behavior.

April 25, 2026April 15, 2026 by Pete Wiley

Divided Loyalties—Forced to Choose Between Friends

Bonds that develop between people are often strong and seemingly unshakable. We might have our ups and downs, but we are devoted to each other and committed to long-lasting friendships. But inevitably, situations arise in which you’re called to support one friend over another. You have to show where your loyalties lie, and often, the choice is far from clear. You have to search deep within and decide which choice is true to your values and vision and, to the extent possible, honors your relationships.

April 11, 2026April 6, 2026 by Pete Wiley

People Balance—Solitude and the Need for Human Connection

Some people lead solitary lives—some by choice, others not. Most of us desire a certain level of human contact in our lives. When we don’t have it, we experience a growing yearning, which can become quite urgent if our solitude goes on for too long. The forced solitude experienced by many during the pandemic[1] is resulting in many people feeling this sense of urgency and with no outlet. Days continue to stream by. They may have a periodic video call for work or with family, but ultimately, they’re alone, and they’ve been alone. When we’re faced with solitude, we look for opportunities for any human connection. A quick chat with a server at a restaurant, passing the time with a fellow shopper while standing in line, or some small talk in passing with a neighbor can all be lifelines when we’re feeling truly alone. But we can also feel overwhelmed when we are faced with too much interaction—we feel a need for some solitude. Like anything else in life, balance is key.

in Emotions / Proactive 0 comments

March 28, 2026March 23, 2026 by Pete Wiley

The Important Stuff—Focusing on What Matters

Life gets hectic. It’s easy to focus on the details and minutiae of your daily life and neglect the truly important aspects. People make to-do lists and schedules, and they have goals and ambitions. They plan their days around these elements and consider themselves unavailable for other possibilities. On the surface, this is fine; it’s good to be organized and manage your time well. On the other hand, it’s also possible to be too rigid. If something unrelated to your work or goals comes up, it’s easy not to give it a second thought and conclude that you have no available time.

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March 14, 2026February 23, 2026 by Pete Wiley

Standing up for yourself—When to Put Up the Shield

“What did you just say?”

There are times when someone says or does something that crosses the line. You’re angry, and you feel significantly wronged. It’s common in this scenario to either have an emotional knee-jerk reaction or to push your emotions inside and continue as if nothing happened. After the event and your initial reaction have passed, it’s important to reflect rationally on the incident, assess your reaction, and consider how you’ll interact with the person going forward. It’s all emotional, and the social dynamic can be complicated, but ultimately, you have to decide when to stand up for yourself and what form that will take.

in Emotions / Proactive 0 comments