From Jim’s Desk
Field Notes (Blog)
Thoughts on growth, expertise, and the life worth building. Jim has been writing since the 1970s, and the questions keep evolving.
31 articles and counting
Shooting Stars and Reaching Goals
When meteors enter our atmosphere at night they look like a "shooting star" as they blaze across the sky. I recall watching "meteor showers" at night in my childhood hometown of Li...
Read more →
A Turning Point in American Culture
We have a new Window of Opportunity in America. A huge picture window that can propel us forward. September 21, 2025 held the Charlie Kirk Memorial Event in Arizona. In person atte...
Read more →
What Professional Experts Do
A Professional Expert is one who is building their own reputation and business based on their ability to solve a particular type of problem. A business coach, a psychologist, an au...
Read more →
A Happy Place?
Reality Check September 15, 2025 Let’s talk. Turn off the TV and close your social media feed for a moment. What is the state of the world today? Think it through. Ok, now that you...
Read more →
Are you concerned about Waist?
There is a fortune to be made in the field of Waist Removal. Jim Cathcart age 28 at 200 lbs. We've needed garbage men for centuries, ever since we became aware of germs. When I was...
Read more →
Do you believe in...Thought?
Do you believe in the existence of Thought? Most would answer, of course! Everybody believes in thought. They don't even have to doubt it because evidence is everywhere! OK, prove...
Read more →
Gratitude: Turn One Time Connections into Lifelong Advocates
2 Sales Gurus: Don Hutson & Jim Cathcart When a person takes the initiative to connect with you, that is your opportunity to open a lifetime of value. We are not talking about clic...
Read more →
A Talent Convergence: A Pool of Opportunity
I've been dancing with the idea of hosting a Deal Making Summit. A luxurious retreat for a few days where people I like and admire come together to form new working relationships a...
Read more →
I was just thinking about Life, God and the Cosmos...
Sometimes it is dangerous to reflect on big ideas. They can lead you down a thought-hole that may have no end. Jim Cathcart in thoughtful reflection during a cruise on the Yangtze...
Read more →
The World Changed in 1955
On July 17, 1955 Disneyland opened to the world. The Happiest Place on Earth opened its gates to a hand selected crowd of influencers who simply came to experience the joy and wond...
Read more →
"Are You Self-Supporting Yet?"
My Aunt Saxon Cathcart asked me, "So, Jimmy, are you self-supporting yet?" The year was 1979 in San Diego. I was 33 years old and a full time professional speaker earning about $1,...
Read more →
Your Next Presentation
Sometimes just one more sale can cover a lot of needs. Give a better presentation and you might get several additional buyers or supporters. The best speakers and presenters in the...
Read more →
Dr. Denis Waitley, CPE #30
Cathcart Institute announces the first ever posthumous Certified Professional Expert, CPE 30, Dr. Denis Waitley. This belated bestowal of the CPE is wrapped in sadness and respect....
Read more →
In What Ways Are You Currently Obsolete?
Dave Heroux, Paula and Jim Cathcart performing in Thousand Oaks, CA Last week Paula and I went to a wonderful concert by Desert Highway, a great Eagles tribute band. The large audi...
Read more →
La Jolla: Breeding Ground of Success Gurus
How come so many Success Gurus and Thought Leaders in the field of Human Development seem to come from La Jolla, California? Carl Rogers, Denis Waitley, Ken Blanchard, Spencer John...
Read more →
Announcing the first 31 Certified Professional Expert, CPEs
News Date August 22, 2025 New CPE™ Certifications at Cathcart Institute Recognizing Excellence in Professional Expertise The Cathcart Institute proudly announces the certification...
Read more →
Preparing for the Fall
Years ago my wife and I took a long motorcycle ride up the California Coast from La Jolla where we lived. We were both dressed in full leathers for safety and comfort on the journe...
Read more →
Yes You Are Good Enough, You Always Have Been
At a seminar this past week I heard multiple speakers tell of their struggles with self-doubt and low self-esteem. They were understandably cautious and many had experienced abusiv...
Read more →
Cathcart Institute announces 3 new Certified Professional Expert, CPEs
News Date March 25, 2025 New CPE™ Certifications at Cathcart Institute Recognizing Excellence in Professional Expertise The Cathcart Institute proudly announces the certification o...
Read more →
Spend a Private Day with Jim Cathcart, 1 to 1
Call Today Sometimes you just need to not be the person in charge, for a moment. Step out of the "Go To" person role long enough to reflect on what really matters to you and your o...
Read more →
Saddle Time
Before we all had cars, people would travel on horseback or by wagon, even on foot. Yes that limited their range of travel and what they could take with them. It also had some wond...
Read more →
Think Like An Owner
Job Security Hack: The quickest way to be respected and valued in a group or organization is by taking the attitude of an owner. Most people participate but don't commit. They acce...
Read more →
What is "The Cathcart Method™"
Read more →
Are we afraid of the real situation or of what the news has told us?
"Life expectancy keeps climbing. Extreme poverty continues to fall. Literacy rates are rising. Child mortality is dropping. More people have clean water than ever before. These cen...
Read more →
Four Stressors Leaders must control
The Four Types of Stress that every Leader must control By Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE Author of The Acorn Principle If you don’t control these four stressors, you become their victim....
Read more →
Problem Solving for Experts
Problem Solving for Experts: The process for solving one problem will likely also apply when solving other problems. You may be an expert who analyzes security threats, or who coun...
Read more →
Should Happiness be your goal?
People claim to treasure happiness. They say it is the one thing they want most. If asked, “What do you want for your children?" They often reply, “I just want them to be happy.” B...
Read more →
Intelligent Curiosity hits Number 1 on Amazon!
Our new book has hit 1 in Two Categories on Amazon in its first day on the market! Thank you to all who bought the Kindle edition so soon. It is now available in Kindle ebook, Pape...
Read more →
For Meeting Planners: How To Get Full Value From Your Speaker
If your speaker truly is a valuable resource and you've gone to all this trouble to get him/her ready to do a proper job for you, then perhaps there are several ways to utilize the...
Read more →
Mentor & Coaching by Jim Cathcart
Make Jim Cathcart your Mentor: Personal Coaching How much better could you be if you had a world-class success expert at your elbow? Put Jim Cathcart on your team. Make him your St...
Read more →
Consulting/Strategic Advisor
“Wow, say that again! We hadn’t even considered that angle before.” Clients have retained Jim as a professional confidant and advisor, a strategic collaborator, an on-site expert a...
Read more →
Nurture Your Nature.
Every Insight Starts with a Question
Jim writes from fifty years of applied experience. Subscribe to the podcast or explore the books to go deeper.