“Work hard in silence and let success make the noise.”

“Work hard in silence and let success make the noise.”

—Anonymous

Image from Unsplash by Do Nhu

Prior to starting my coaching career over 30 years ago, I had a difficult time at my previous company. The organization was having financial challenges and realigning its workforce.

My marketing role at the home office was no longer secure, and I was left with the difficult decision to accept a demoted field assignment, requiring me to uproot my family in order to keep my employment.

With considerable soul searching and wound-licking, I was determined to put my head down and “Show Them” I still had it when many of my colleagues saw me as someone who didn’t make the grade.

With this resolve and grit, I silently went about my new job and became an acknowledged great performer, regaining my coworkers respect, and receiving an award voted on by my division.

Two months later I accepted a voluntary buyout, and the rest is history.

EXERCISE:

What are examples in your life in which you let your hard work and good results do the talking?

Where in your worlds would this approach be the way to proceed on an important issue today?

Aim higher in case you fall short

“Aim higher in case you fall short.”

—Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games

Image from Unsplash by Ricardo Arch

I bet you learned a lot about gravity well before you studied the work of Isaac Newton in school.

The world of sports — especially the ones with balls — all taught us to aim higher than our intended target if we wanted to hit the mark.

What are some of the ways you direct your aim higher than your targets knowing well that there are various forces pulling you down?

What personal and professional games are you playing where both internal and external factors get in the way to trip you up or block your path?

EXERCISE:

Where do you need to aim higher and shoot for the moon?

Even if you miss, you might just land among the stars.

“Not seeing results? Feel like giving up? Consider this: The last thing to grow on a fruit tree is the fruit.”

“Not seeing results? Feel like giving up? Consider this: The last thing to grow on a fruit tree is the fruit.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Jason Richard

Take a look at the past year. What was your level of productivity? What results were achieved and where did you come up short regarding your expectations? How often did you feel like giving up?

We all desire to see our actions pay off, and taste the sweet fruits of our efforts. We also know that sometimes the weather and circumstances of our lives can be harsh. Like trees, we sometimes need to conserve and reserve our energy to stay alive for the coming season.

EXERCISE:

Acknowledge yourself and others who found the courage and strength to withstand the elements of this past year, regardless of the harvest.

Consider picking up a copy of THE DIP (A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit and When to Stick), by Seth Godin.

“What is the least I can teach you that would be the most valuable?”

“What is the least I can teach you that would be the most valuable?”

Michael Bungay Stanier, Founder of Box of Crayons

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.

EXERCISE:

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.

“When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.”

“When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.”

—Nelson Mandela, late South African anti-apartheid political leader

Image from Unsplash by Derek Story

On most mornings I wake up very early and head to the health club to kick start my day. My club is located near my office, about 15 miles from my home.

Given the light traffic at this early hour, I do my best to avoid stop lights by adjusting my use of the gas pedal and brakes. This maintains my momentum and improves my fuel efficiency.

EXERCISE:

What are some of your personal or professional projects in which the water is already boiling?

How can and will you keep adding another log to the fires of your current momentum to achieve even more extraordinary outcomes?

A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking

“A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.”

-Arthur McBride Bloch, Author of Murphy’s Law Books

Image of a magnifying glass over the word "conclusion"

Image from MP3ringtone

Time pressure is one of many factors affecting our personal and professional worlds. Most people I coach are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress. They feel they are required to accomplish more in less time than ever before, just to keep up.

Critical thinking and decision-making are vital components of the world we live in. It often feels like we are all on a game show in which getting the right answer is only one part of how we win. The speed of our answer is also part of the equation.

The sheer number of decisions we need to make causes many of us to seek short cuts in our decision-making process, to avoid exhaustion and burnout.

EXERCISE:

How are you currently allocating your mental energies to your personal and professional priorities? How can you conserve or strengthen this energy to help you reach your most optimal and wisest conclusion?

A committee of one gets things done

“A committee of one gets things done.”

—Joe Ryan, Author of Breaking Limits

Image from picturequotes.com

Much of my coaching involves supporting my clients in developing and expanding their leadership, management, coaching, and relationship skills. Mastering these skills helps them produce far greater results with and through others.

One consideration is the time it actually takes to reach their goals.

Today’s quote points to the speed and efficiency of leading oneself to a better future, managing our own efforts and resources, and adjusting our course for optimal results. Regarding relationship skills, rarely do we ever disagree with our own thinking!

EXERCISE:

There is an African saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

Where and on what personal or professional priority is it appropriate to use your “committee of one” to get something done?