Build a Bridge

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Barry

“Cry a river, build a bridge, get over it.”

—Author Unknown

Image from landscapesofunderstanding.com

For most people I work with as a coach, life is difficult, challenging, and often upsetting from time to time. Some are so stuck or stopped that they can hardly see any path forward.

During these times, feelings run high and the “emotional tension” they experience as part of their current reality must be acknowledged fully so they can cry the rivers that are appropriate. Only then can they collect themselves to realize that life goes on. Building bridges to the future is now the job at hand, to realize their resolve and get on the other side of life’s barriers and obstacles.

EXERCISE:

How can you fully acknowledge and experience all the emotions associated with some of your most significant challenges? How can you use that wisdom to garner the strength and capacities to build bridges and get over situations on your life journey?

Learning to Overlook

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Barry

“Wisdom is learning what to overlook.”

—William James, American philosopher and psychologist

The first book I ever read by Robin Sharma was The Monk who Sold His Ferrari. It is an amusing and insightful story of a hard-driving attorney, determined to win every case and annihilate his opposition while he reaps the material rewards of success. As you may guess from the title, he experiences various life events that literally stop him in his tracks, and had him re-evaluate his life from a new perspective. He begins to seek a life of greater meaning and significance.

EXERCISE:

What issues, obstacles, life complexities, and other barriers are you facing that would be better overlooked?

Better to be a lion

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Barry

“It is better to be a lion for a day than a sheep all your life.”

-Elizabeth Kenny, unaccredited 20th Century Australian nurse

Image from Flickr by Tambako the Jaguar

Take an inventory of your life’s greatest moments—the ones where you did or were part of something remarkable, noteworthy, and of course, memorable. What were you doing at the time? I would guess that on many of these occasions you were reaching for some goal, striving for something you desired, or operating beyond your comfort zone inspired by a high-priority commitment.

Rarely do great accomplishments occur when we simply move day-to-day, grazing on the same grasses of our personal or professional worlds.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you rally your inner lion to courageously roar, chase, and pounce on the successes you desire?

Patience

Posted on November 17, 2015 by Barry

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, lecturer, and poet

Image from heyjamie.com

What is the current pace of your life? If you are like many, it’s busy, rushed, in overdrive, or even hyper-drive. You may find yourself eating fast or convenience foods on the run, skipping meals altogether, or getting a boost from coffee and caffeinated energy drinks. Or just as damaging, you may be missing out on the rest and exercise your body needs to reach and maintain optimal health.

What results would be possible if you took a more patient approach to life and your top priorities? What items on your to-do list could you reduce or eliminate, to make room for a more patient and peaceful flow in your life?

EXERCISE:

What steps can and will you take to achieve a more natural and patient pace throughout your day?

How can you make this practice a daily habit?

A new book that will definitely help you progress in these areas is On Target Living, by Chris Johnson.

Great Leaders

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Barry

“Great leaders don’t blame the tools they’re given. They work to sharpen them.”

—Author Unknown

Image from comicbook.com

MacGyver was a very popular action adventure TV series in The United States and some other markets, from 1985 to 1992.

Resourceful and possessing an encyclopedic knowledge of the physical sciences, the main character solved complex problems by making things out of ordinary objects, using his ever-present, always sharp Swiss Army knife.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you make the most of the tools and resources available to you?

Where can you, as Stephen Covey might suggest, “sharpen the saw” of your abilities to be a MacGyver-like problem solver in your world?

Shelf Life

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Barry

“Ideas have a short shelf life. You must act on them before the expiration date.”

-John Maxwell, American author and speaker

Image from michellelianna.wordpress.com

When you visit the grocery store to purchase food for yourself and your family, do you have a particular strategy? Do you make a comprehensive list, or just have a general idea of what you need? Do you walk down each aisle to see what is on sale, or fill your cart with what appeals to you in the moment, especially when you’re hungry as you shop?

One strategy I employ is to examine the expiration date on all packaged food. On numerous occasions, I find myself looking toward the back of the shelf to select those items that will stay freshest longest.

EXERCISE:

What are some of the best ideas sitting on the shelves of your mind? Which one will you act upon today and not let it expire?

Good Day

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Barry

“It’s a good day to have a good day.”

-Hillary Weeks, singer/songwriter

Photo from Flickr by J E Theriot

The Smiley Face as we know it today was created by Harvey Ross Ball, who at the time was employed by State Mutual Life Insurance Company of Worcester, Massachusetts. He created it in 10 minutes and was paid $45 for his effort.

Today, his Smiley Face can be found everywhere as part of our popular culture, and as the most utilized emoticon in our daily emails and social media posts.

EXERCISE:

How can you use Smiley Face, and of course your own smile, to support yourself and others to have many more good or even great days?

“Live in such a way…”

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Barry

“Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you, no one would believe it.”

-Author Unknown

Image from thestar.com

During the very early stages of a new coaching relationship, I often give my clients the assignment to describe their best future self. This exercise forces each individual to look deeply at the qualities and characteristics they wish to develop and expand upon during the course of our relationship and beyond.

We employ a strategy in which they examine past and current role models they admire and respect, knowing that if others could act and achieve such remarkable things, it is possible for them as well.

EXERCISE:

Upon your passing, what would you like others in your personal and professional worlds to say about you?

What adjustment will you make in the way you live today to guarantee this as your legacy?

“As I unclutter my life, I free…”

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Barry

“As I unclutter my life, I free myself to answer the callings of my soul.”

-Dr. Wayne Dyer

Image from Flickr by Megan McMillan

We are entering fall here in Michigan; winter will soon arrive. With the change of season, many people begin spending a bit more time indoors due to the reduction of daylight and, of course, the colder temperatures.

Some people experience lower energy, reduced motivation, and a general hunkering-down at this time, awaiting the next spring. A possible remedy for such feelings and renewal of the soul could be, as Dr. Dyer suggests, an “uncluttering” project.

EXERCISE:

Examine some of the areas of your life that could benefit from considerable uncluttering and simplification. Consider your physical space, your personal and professional relationships, your use of technology, and even cognitive noise that affects us all.

What inside work will you do to better aid you in pursuing the inner calling of your soul?

“You don’t get into something…”

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Barry

“You don’t get into something to test the waters. You go into things to make waves.”

—Author Unknown

Image from daystarus.org

When was the last time you went swimming? What approach did you take as you entered the water? Are you a toe-dipper? A cannon-baller? Something in between?

Many people take a “safety first,” somewhat timid approach as they take on new experiences. This is often a wise move as they explore the risk/reward potential.

When, however, we feel fairly confident that the waters are not shark-infested, today’s quote encourages us to displace as much water as possible.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what professional or personal situations is it time for you to stop testing the waters and take the plunge?