Where do you put in the most effort in your personal and professional lives? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“You can either throw in the towel, or use it to wipe your sweat.”
“The future is purchased by the present.”
“There’s no ceiling on effort.”
Image from Amazon
I am currently reading The Carbon Almanac, edited by Seth Godin, who also wrote the Forward. It is a 300+ page book of facts about climate change.
Representing the global efforts of more than three hundred volunteers in over 40 countries, it is the most up to date and well-vetted resource that presents where we are and how we got here, in language that we can all understand.
This book is a call to action to have all people, organizations, and governments come together to meet this moment in time to take care of our world and each other.
Please order, read, and discuss this important book with others in your various communities.
Encourage others to actively participate in this urgent global effort.
Image from Unsplash by Serena Repice Lentini
What percent of the time do you give your personal and professional activities your very best?
How often do you feel stretched and notice the burn physically, mentally, or emotionally as you take on a particular challenge?
In grade school, I had the opportunity to visit New York and climb to the crown of the Statue of Liberty. The 162 steps to the top seemed like a million. I recall the heat and shaking in my legs as I tried to keep pace.
No one was stopping to catch their breath on the various platforms, and I sure didn’t want to look like a slacker in front of my friends.
Twenty minutes or so from my first step, I received my crowning reward, seeing the panoramic view of New York’s skyline, including the twin towers of the World Trade Center, and the Empire State Building.
Where in your world are you holding back your best efforts?
Where would taking those extra steps place you at a higher point to both see and pursue even greater personal and professional excellence?
Image from Unsplash by Ismael Paramo
How satisfied are you with your life? Examine who you are on the inside and take a look on the outside to explore your intrinsic and extrinsic accomplishments.
How do your observations compare to the answers you would have offered from 5, 10, or even 20 years ago?
Which of your efforts — based on what you wanted — have come to fruition, and how pleased are you today?
Take the time today to count your many blessings. How rich do you feel?
Consider having a conversation with a friend, family member, or colleague to expand the value of this exercise to more fully appreciate how far you have come.
Image from Unsplash by John Cameron
How tired do you feel at the end of a long, challenging day?
Before you head to bed tonight, look at all you did personally and professionally to serve and support others.
How much gratitude and sincere appreciation came your way?
Alternatively, how much and how many of your efforts seemed to be taken for granted or were simply expected by those around you?
Who would notice and what would they notice if you did not fulfill your duties?
Now reverse the situation and look closely at what all the people in your world do for you. Where are you missing or taking for granted the multitude of efforts of others due to your ingrained expectations?
These days, perhaps more than ever, we need to see all people as essential workers who make our lives much better for their generous efforts.
How might paying closer attention to the big and small efforts of others, and a few more words of acknowledgment and appreciation help all of us fall to sleep tonight with a smile of satisfaction?
How familiar are you with the developmental and problem-solving tool called a quadrant graph?
Even if this specific term is unfamiliar, my guess is that you use some form of this concept to be productive and achieve your goals.
Take the example above, using effort and result as the two axis of the graph.
By evaluating each quadrant, we can calculate a course of action to optimize a path toward the result we desire.
The Quotable Coach blog series tries to apply a similar approach by offering a nugget of wisdom in about a minute’s read, potentially providing significant value to the reader.
Where and with whom could you apply today’s quote in your role as either a teacher or a student?
Please reply to this post to describe the value created.
Image from Unsplash by Morgan David de Lossy
Golf has become one of the go-to sports given COVID-19 and our need for social distancing. Being in the fresh air and walking or riding in a golf cart solo allows players to enjoy natural beauty, be with friends, and engage in a game that can never quite be mastered.
I recently heard the story of a fan watching legendary golfer Hale Irwin practicing on the range following one of his many career wins, where he shared today’s quote. Clearly he was driven by the desire within most of us for the goal of continuous improvement and personal mastery.
Where can and will you continue to practice and apply your most committed efforts to take an aspect of your life from good to great?
Please share this intention with a coach or two who would be delighted to support your efforts to get better.
Image from Unsplash by Jason Leung
The world idolizes winners. Examine the media and you will find countless examples from game shows, reality TV, sports, social media icons, and even speakers, leaders, and coaches.
Who sits at the top of the list of super achievers in your personal and professional communities?
In recent weeks I’ve been paying even closer attention to my daughter Rachel and my grandson Weston. Beyond learning his numbers, letters, shapes, and colors, he is in new territory with potty training.
If you’ve experienced this right of passage with children and grandchildren, you know that there are far more mishaps than successes in the early stages.
Where is it time to give out far more “A’s” for effort and supportive encouragement in your world? Where and from whom could you most benefit from a booster shot of encouragement?
Take a few minutes to reflect on your level of confidence regarding your personal and professional skills, abilities, and talents.
In which areas are you most or least confident?
Examine the levels of effort, practice, and overall experience you have put forth in each of these areas.
What factors seem to be most associated with higher versus lower confidence?
Where and on what personal or professional matter would a surplus of effort increase your effectiveness and your confidence?
What actions can and will you take to do just that?
Image by Freekee, in the Public Domain
The term bandwagon first appeared in a book about P.T. Barnum, the famous circus promoter.
Back in the 1850s, a circus made a showy parade through town before they set up. The bright and ornamental wagons were always part of the parade, meant to attract villagers. Musicians were always included, so their arrival could be heard and seen for considerable distances.
What ideas, causes, missions, or purposes do you wish to share with the villagers in your personal and professional communities?
What are you currently doing to broadcast your energy and excitement so that others will climb aboard and join your parade?
Where are you still in the garage with your idea and vision? How can and will you strike up the band so that others can jump aboard?