Welcome

Welcome to 2026! I hope you are spirited and animated to accomplish great things this year. And Uncommon Sense will be a beacon of inspiration for you every step of the way. I’ve written extensively about goal setting over the years. And I’m at it again with this first issue of the new year. For […]

One of my students recently paused mid–Learning Journal entry and asked herself a question that deserves far more attention than it usually gets: “Am I setting goals, or am I merely setting vibes?” That question cuts straight to the heart of why so many intelligent, well-intentioned people feel perpetually busy, optimistic, and “motivated”—yet remain stuck […]

A 37-year-old woman, Renee Good, was shot and killed in Minneapolis last week. She was part of a mob of protesters who were harassing and hampering the law enforcement work being done by Federal Agents from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement.) ICE has been rounding up illegal aliens that were let into our country by […]

It was my honor to deliver the keynote speech to a recent event hosted by the Maricopa Historical Society. It was my second invitation to speak to this august group of historians and history buffs. In late 2024 I had addressed them on the topic of Six Great Men, an overview of six of the […]

In terms of my professional life, I’ve always seen myself as a “teacher” first and foremost. About 18 years into my career I found myself in a formal teaching role when a local community college hired me to join their adjunct faculty. Most of my “teaching” prior to that time had been in the corporate […]

Building Your Power of Expression Winsome, adj. Pronunciation: ˌˈwin(t)səm Meaning: This word brings to mind the notion of something that is attractive or appealing in appearance or character. At its heart, the word conveys a kind of gentle, disarming charm. It is not loud or flashy or manipulative. It is the sort of appeal that […]