Category Archives: encouragement

“Show up and turn lights on for people.”

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“Show up and turn lights on for people.”

—Seth Godin, American Author

Image from Unsplash by Isabella & Louisa Fischer

Before electricity, the primary way to turn on the lights were fire, the occasional lighting storm, and of course, waiting for our sun to rise so we could begin our days.

These days, we live in a 24/7 world that never sleeps. With the ON switch always at the ready, why is it that so many folks are still in the dark with the covers pulled over their heads?

In today’s quote, Seth is probably referring to both external and internal fires of inspiration that have gone out and require more fuel and oxygen to breathe life into them once more.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you turn on a few more lights for others in your personal and professional communities?

How can you add a spark of encouragement and inspiration to help others rediscover their own inner fires?

Who can and will you show up for today?

“Curious that we spend more time congratulating people who have succeeded than encouraging people who have not.”

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“Curious that we spend more time congratulating people who have succeeded than encouraging people who have not.”

—Neil De Grasse Tyson, American Astrophysicist

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.

EXERCISE:

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?

“If you can learn from hard knocks, you can also learn from soft touches.”

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“If you can learn from hard knocks, you can also learn from soft touches.”

—Carolyn Kenmore, American model and author

Image from Unsplash by Eugenia Maximova

Being gritty and busting one’s butt seem to get lots of attention in relationship to pursuing and achieving success. When we look at athletic coaches in the locker room at halftime, what we expect is some form of aggressive, loud, “pump yourself up” motivational message.

Rarely do the quieter messages of encouragement and soft touches of support get any airtime. They are always drowned out by the massive number of strategies competing for our increasingly scarce attention.

EXERCISE:

Where in your personal or professional worlds are there whispered messages and soft, supportive touches that have something to teach you?

How can and will you tap into these more subtle inputs to become all you wish to be?

Friday Review Encouragement

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FRIDAY REVIEW: ENCOURAGEMENT

How encouraging are you to others? How much encouragement do others give you? Here are a few encouragement-related posts you may have missed. Click the link to read the full message.

 

“Rain and sun are to the flower as praise and encouragement are to the human spirit.”

 

 

 

“Words of encouragement fan the spark of genius into the flame of achievement.”

 

 

 

“Sometimes you just need to be reminded: ‘You Got This!’”

 

 

 

 

Don’t belittle yourself

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“Don’t belittle yourself. Be-Big yourself.”

—Corita Kent, American Catholic Nun

Image from fineartamerica.com

Image from fineartamerica.com

There is, perhaps, no greater destructive force in relationships than that of belittling and diminishing others. Eleanor Roosevelt gave us a bit of coaching with her famous quote, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Today’s quote points to the not always recognized inner critic and the things we say about ourselves. How often do you chastise, berate, belittle, and judge yourself, personally or professionally?

EXERCISE:

What alternative “Be-Bigging” messages can you use now and in the future to build, empower, and support your own self-confidence and self-worth?

Consider enlisting the help and coaching of others when you aren’t aware of these often hidden attempts to bring yourself down.

Believing in you

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“Sometimes you just need to be reminded: ‘You Got This!’”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image of Olympic Gold Medals. Believing in you

Image from Flickr by Zoe

The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain were my inspiration to become a coach. With the 2016 Olympics right around the corner, we will all see extraordinary efforts and accomplishments. The most exceptional athletes will stand on that platform to receive their medals and hear their national anthem played before the entire world.

If you could jump into a time machine to explore the lives of each of these athletes, you would discover one common factor that contributed to their success. That factor was the faith, commitment, and support of family, friends, and of course, the coaches, who believed in their greatness.

EXERCISE:

Who can you thank today for always believing and having faith in you? Who in your world might experience a difference in their lives from more “You Got This!” messages from you?

Words of Encouragement

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“Words of encouragement fan the spark of genius into the flame of achievement.”

—Wilferd A. Peterson, 20th Century American Journalist

Image of men in the jungle

Image from nationalgeographic.com

Primal Survivor is a new show on the National Geographic Channel. Each episode takes you on a journey to a challenging and inhospitable place on earth, where show host Hazen Audel learns and uses remote tribal techniques to survive various 5-day treks.

In many episodes he is required to make fire to cook food, sterilize water, and in certain climates, keep warm. Creating that first spark and providing the fuel and oxygen to have it burst into flames is always an impressive feat.

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom can you provide significantly more encouragement to fan the spark of genius into the flames of achievement in your professional and personal communities?

“Rain and sun are to the flower as praise and encouragement are to the human spirit.”

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“Rain and sun are to the flower as praise and encouragement are to the human spirit.”

—Author Unknown

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Image from Flickr by solarisgirl

As a former science teacher, I am fascinated by the process of photosynthesis – that plants can use sunlight to make their own food seems nothing short of a miracle.

Man—and virtually all animals—eat these plants as our way of sustaining life. Yet we are feeding only the body portion of ourselves – leaving our souls and spirits a bit empty.

Exercise:

How can you feed others the important nutrient of praise and acknowledgement, and surround yourself with others who will offer it to you in return?