As kids, we were unafraid to dream big. Minus the social awkwardness of the teenage years, we generally weren’t swayed by other people’s expectations of us or their perceptions of our dreams. For some odd reason, the older we get, the more susceptible we are to being influenced by society’s expectations of us. Somewhere along the way, we seem to subdue our dreams, become more reserved in our ambition, and guarded against judgment from others.
Failures can knock us down, make us lose confidence in ourselves and can threaten to prevent us from trying again. When I was in pilot training, I failed one of my earliest checkrides (an important “flying test”). I encountered a plethora of maintenance problems when I went to start the jet, which was frustrating. But, once in the air, I flew pretty darn well. However, once on the ground, the instructor informed me I had failed the checkride.
It would be nice to have unlimited assets to minimize struggle and always be set up for success. However, in the real world, that rarely happens. We all have limited...
Nicole Malachowski |
Do you ever feel like Doug from Pixar’s Up? One minute you’re passionate about a project, and then the next minute… squirrel! Your metaphorical squirrel could be another project, loss...
Nicole Malachowski |
The inimitable Coach John Wooden said, “Worry about your character, not your reputation.” Your character includes the moral, ethical, behavioral and mental qualities that are unique to you. I believe...
Nicole Malachowski |
Developing effective communication skills is vital to succeeding as both a leader and a teammate. One constant across all of my professional experiences, whether during my military service, time at...
Nicole Malachowski |
After reading the article ‘The Best Leaders Have a Contagious Positive Energy’ by Emma Seppala and Kim Cameron, the following quote stood out to me and reminded me of the...
Nicole Malachowski |
“Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another; it is the only one.” – Dr. Albert Einstein Throughout my formative stages, and well into my military and...
Nicole Malachowski |
Nicole Malachowski was a highly decorated “full bird” colonel when she was forced to leave military service due to health issues. But it wasn’t a combat injury that cut short...
Nicole Malachowski |
What does it mean to belong? It’s a single word with huge significance. The feeling of belonging is a fundamental part of human nature, it’s about connectedness and acceptance. As...
Nicole Malachowski |
By definition, I’m a procrastinator. I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember. Yet, I consider myself a successful person, personally and professionally. Every article I’ve ever...
Nicole Malachowski |
As kids, we were unafraid to dream big. Minus the social awkwardness of the teenage years, we generally weren’t swayed by other people’s expectations of us or their perceptions of...
Nicole Malachowski |
Think, for a second, about all of the times in your life where you’ve taken a risk that paid off. Now, think about the times where you avoided any risk...
Nicole Malachowski |
Hands down, this is arguably my favorite photo taken during my time serving on the Thunderbirds…because of the story behind it. I had just landed from flying in my first...
Nicole Malachowski |