Life Gets Better When You Get Better

“Your life only gets better when you get better.”

—Brian Tracy

Image of man with thermometer in his mouth

Image from Flickr by Bart

Personal and organizational development are multi-billion dollar industries. It is estimated that the coaching profession is somewhere near the three billion dollar mark.

What causes this trend to continue pointing upward?

Perhaps it is simply that we all desire better lives, and that bettering ourselves is the easiest way to influence and control our own destiny.

When we work on bettering ourselves, we give our lives direction and set forth goals to pursue and achieve. This “creative tension” literally pulls, or draws us, to the realization of a better future.

EXERCISE:

Where can you or are you actively working on yourself to realize the better life you desire? Consider discussing this question with a coach, mentor, or close friend who will hold your feet to the fire and increase your chances of success.

Friday Review Self Improvement

FRIDAY REVIEW: SELF IMPROVEMENT

How committed are you to self improvement? Here are a few self-improvement related posts you may have missed. Click the links to read the full message.

 

“I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.”

 

 

 

“Be there for others but never leave yourself behind.”

 

 

 

 

“Life’s strongest glue is being happy to be you!”

 

 

 

 

 

Still Say No

“You can be a good person with a kind heart and still say NO.”

-Author Unknown

Image of man with bullhorn

image from drdavidgeier.com

‘NO’ is one of the most important and powerful words in our language. At home and at work, we use it to protect ourselves, and to stand up for the things and people that truly matter to us.

The word ‘NO,’ used incorrectly, can also destroy what we value the most, by alienating and angering people.

In his book “The Power of a Positive NO,” William Ury—a top Harvard Professor—shares his secret to saying ‘NO’ without destroying our most important and valued relationships.

EXERCISE:

In addition to purchasing his book, please check out Professor Ury’s TED talk about the walk from ‘NO’ to ‘YES.’

The answers inside you

“Remember, all the answers you need are inside of you; you only have to become quiet enough to hear them.”

—Debbie Ford, author of The Dark Side of the Light Chasers

Quiet Zone sign

Image from Pinterest

Take a moment to reflect on your day so far.

How much quietness, peace, serenity, and tranquility have you experienced? On the other hand, how much stress, chaos, multi-tasking, and general noise have you experienced?

If you have plenty of quiet time, you are one of the lucky ones who have time to think and reflect on the important questions life may be asking.

If your life fits more with the second category, you may be unable to hear yourself think.

EXERCISE:

Find a special location in both your personal and professional worlds to spend just ten minutes per day in quiet reflection, to discover the important answers to the questions life is asking.

watchdog of the wise

Now is the watchdog of the wise.”

—Charles H. Spurgeon, 19th Century British Preacher

Image of a bulldog

Image from Flickr by Emmanuel Tabard

Take a few minutes to picture a very wise individual. This may be someone you know, an historic figure, a spiritual leader, or perhaps you will conjure someone in your imagination.

Notice the qualities and characteristics you most appreciate and admire, that caused you to place them on your “short list” of special individuals.

Of particular note is the ability of these people to be fully present in the “now” of life, instead of taking daily journeys into the past or future. Such people are often characterized as being happy, content, peaceful, serene, alert, aware, authentic, and open.

EXERCISE:

Consider checking out two books I recommend on this subject:
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

A Beautiful Question

“A beautiful question is an ambitious yet actionable question that can begin to shift the way we perceive or think about something.”

—Warren Berger, American Journalist

"ask more questions" sign between two clocks

Image from Unsplash by Jonathan Simcoe

Coaches love beautiful and powerful questions.  In fact, if coaches were Batman, our utility belts would be filled with them!

What if you were to begin questioning all areas of your life, to determine what is truly working and what is not? What might your answers show, and what choices or actions might you take moving forward?

As a reader of The Quotable Coach, you are astute and have probably noticed that I’ve filled this post with questions!

EXERCISE:

What are a few of your favorite, most beautiful questions? What questions keep you on your toes and move your life forward? How might you use coaching questions to support the lives of those for whom you care?

Self-Improvement Review

FRIDAY REVIEW: IMPROVEMENT

How much attention do you give to self-improvement? Here are a few posts related to self-improvement you may have missed:

Image of achieving success through social capital book

 

“Don’t worry so much about knowing the right people. Just make yourself worth knowing.”

 

 

 

Rainy window with a note stuck on about kindness

 

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”

 

 

 

Image of a room under construction

 

“The biggest room in my house is the room for improvement.”

 

 

 

discover greatness within

“We discover greatness within once we learn to cultivate and celebrate it in others.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image from lenramsay.com

Image from lenramsay.com

Being a coach is an extraordinarily rewarding profession. Each day I have the opportunity to encourage and support the greatness of others, personally and professionally.

I find helping those I work with do the same in their communities a tremendously satisfying way of living and working.

As more members of our communities operate this way, we generate a “coaching culture” in which individuals  and organizations thrive.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you more fully experience your own greatness through the generous and passionate support of others in your worlds?

Feel free to reach out to me directly if you would like some assistance in this effort.

live love matter

“At the end of our lives we will all ask, ‘Did I Live? Did I Love? Did I Matter?’”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Thinking business woman looking up on many bubbles with question marks on a grey background

Image from careerconfidential.com

Don’t wait a second more!

Ask these questions immediately. Don’t stop asking them until you discover the answer and do something about it, if your answer is not to your liking.

Take some time to deeply explore what it truly means to live, to love, and to matter.

Consider taking a look at the people you respect and admire, who could set an example for you to follow. Start spending more time with these people and let their expansive efforts, living, and loving soak right into your bones.

EXERCISE:

As you continue to live more fully a life with no regrets, how can you help others you care deeply about do the same?

better to walk alone

“It’s better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction.”

-Diane Grant, American Playwright

image from Flickr by Michelangelo_MI

image from Flickr by Michelangelo_MI

Peer pressure doesn’t stop when we leave high school. Being “cool” and fitting in with the crowd is a strong influence in our personal and professional worlds. Just because others engage in certain behaviors and activities doesn’t mean we need to go along for the ride. At these times it is critical to lead our own lives, being clear about what we value and the direction in which we want to go.

EXERCISE:

In what areas of life, past or present, have you headed in the wrong direction due to the influence of others?

Where might it be time to choose a more genuine and authentic path even if it means going it alone?