“How do I know what I think until I see what I say.” – E.M. Forster

This site is my attempt to know better what I think about living an excellent life. I share the kinds of things I would enjoy reading and discovering, and, in the process, I hope to offer something useful and meaningful to others.

I have worked in higher education at my alma mater since 1992. My job has given me a front row seat to the adventures of my school’s most dynamic student leaders. They continue to teach me much about excellence and curiosity and friendship.

I write mostly about what I’m learning and what I’m reading. I’m interested in life wisdom, quality work, technology, and books.

I enjoy speaking to audiences regularly about education, work, presentation skills, and what I’m learning about how to be awesome.

Some favorite posts on this site for those exploring:

• Be awesome
• Things fall apart: The second law and the meaning of life
• I’m totally winging it. You are, too.
• “Of course we might be wrong, but…”
• Inspiration will jilt you
• Lines of excellence
• Raise the aspirations of others
• The daily grind, the daily find
• Miles Davis, So What, and being in accord no matter the chord
• Merry Freaking Christmas!
• My purpose
• What can you give?
• How we spend our days
• Resistance is futile: Hadrian and the profound power of acceptance
• Claim your place on the internet
• Advice for getting started after college
• Life before death
• Five C’s of Leadership
• Shine for someone
• The grace of great things
• “Resistance”: Using fear to find your way
• The imagined opinions of others
• Courageous, not fearless
• Doing hard things
• “Follow your passion” is not helpful advice
• How to find work you love
• Non-attachment for the win
• Practice makes awesome
• SpeechCraft: Give presentations that change things
• Doing vs. trying

I’m living the dream with my wife and two young daughters and hoping to live the kind of life that awakens possibility in others.

Eric Johnson
Athens, Georgia
email: ej at excellentjourney dot net
Twitter: @ericleif