David Stamation, Executive Life Coach The Long Read Coming out of my health sabbatical, I needed a way to regain focus and momentum. Like many people, I had a history of setting big goals, chasing them with energy, then watching motivation fizzle. What changed everything for me wasn’t another clever goal-setting system—it was discovering my North Star . Take the quiz . This simple, enduring tool has kept me steady through distractions, setbacks, and shifting circumstances. To

David Stamation, Executive Life Coach One of the unexpected gifts of this health crisis has been seeing how Cynthia and I communicate—and how we treat each other—when everything feels uncertain. It revealed the bones of our relationship: the strength of our connection, and how much emotional fluency matters when life turns upside down. There were moments when I didn’t feel like her husband. I felt like a dependent version of myself—a patient, even a child—someone being taken

David Stamation, Executive Life Coach Life doesn’t hand us a guidebook when hardship strikes. When cancer interrupted my life, I turned to a skill I had practiced for years— emotional fluency . What I learned not only carried me through treatment but continues to shape how I live today. A health crisis rarely arrives with a roadmap. My own sabbatical, prompted by a cancer diagnosis, was not something I ever planned for. Yet it became one of the most instructive periods of my

David Stamation, Executive Life Coach Part 2 In many relationships today, a subtle but powerful dynamic often emerges as women feeling more like caretakers than partners. The question is worth asking—does the man want a wife , or is he unconsciously seeking a mommy ? At its core, this isn't about infantilizing men or mocking vulnerability. Rather, it's a call to examine patterns that too often go unspoken. Too many women find themselves shouldering the emotional labor of a...

David Stamation, Executive Life Coach While on my current health sabbatical, I found myself reflecting deeply on how much I’ve come to rely on my wife during this time of cancer treatment. There were moments when I didn’t feel like her husband—I felt like a dependent little boy being mothered. And that troubled me. In full disclosure I had a similar health sabbatical 4 years ago to treat the same cancer. This BLOG is a current update and thoughts for August 2025. I’m used to

By David Stamation, Executive Life Coach Advanced   self-care prompts us to reflect on what  Basic  self-care is. Going beyond basic self-care is vital for getting more out of your life. Let’s organize self-care to help you explore ways to incorporate it into your life. Here’s a recap of the basic level before moving into advanced forms: Basic Self-Care Physical Health:  This includes sleep, diet, and exercise. These basics can be challenging and neglecting them can lead to b

This blog will guide you through setting up for your best day, beginning with a simple morning meditation that helps you check in with yourself and your current state. The goal is to cultivate more effective, calm, and centered days. Three States Tense Peaceful Excited After I wake up, I enjoy a cup of coffee, splash cold water on my face, and then sit for a 10-minute meditation—before opening my laptop or reaching for my phone. Meditation comes first, grounding my day and

In last week’s blog, The Cost of Harboring Resentment , we explored the roots of resentment and outlined steps to overcome this debilitating emotion. Resentment not only hinders our ability to lead effectively in business but also prevents us from forming rich, meaningful relationships that bring energy and purpose to our lives. Why We Call It the "Cancer Emotion" Resentment can have a cancerous effect on relationships, especially with family and spouses, slowly eating away a

I often tell my clients how resentment undermines healthy relationships—both with others and with ourselves. I refer to it as the "cancer emotion" because if left to fester, it can silently grow, eroding our well-being. Resentment prevents us from truly connecting with others and building meaningful relationships. It also drains energy. Imagine letting go of your deepest resentments, freeing up that energy to foster rich, rewarding relationships instead. The Roots Resentment

In my years of coaching, I’ve learned that clients consistently seek to optimize or enhance aspects of their lives. Health and fitness emerge as frequent topics across all age groups. Many express a desire to feel healthy and fit but struggle to achieve it. Typically, their goals can be categorized into three segments: Health:  This includes eating right, ensuring adequate sleep, and achieving weight loss. Fitness:  This involves engaging in physical activities such as exerci