Better waves make better surfers.

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Barry

“Better waves make better surfers. Are you on the right beach?”

—Seth Godin, American author, marketing expert, and entrepreneur

Image from Unsplash by Sincerely Media

Today’s quote reminds us that much of our personal and professional growth depends on the challenges we face, just as surfers improve by riding bigger, more challenging waves.

We, too, develop skills and resilience by stepping out of our comfort zones.

It goes further to ask a crucial question: Are you in the right environment to grow?

Many times, staying in a familiar but stagnant place limits our potential. Finding the “right beach” means seeking opportunities that push you, inspire you, and help you evolve.

Whether in your career, relationships, or personal goals, choose the waves that challenge you to become better, embrace the right environment, and watch yourself grow and transform into a stronger, more skilled version of yourself.

EXERCISE:

To what degree are you surfing better waves on better beaches?

What actions can and will you take to be even more intentional about your growth trajectory?

Friday Review — Skill

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Barry

Friday Review— Skill

We don’t all have the same skills. What are yours? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

“He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skills. Our antagonist is our helper.”

“Life is a lot like Jazz… it’s best when you improvise.”

If we do not plant knowledge when young it will give us no shade when we are old

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Barry

“If we do not plant knowledge when young it will give us no shade when we are old.”

—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, 16th Century British statesman

Image from Unsplash by BBC Creative

Early childhood education plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s future success.

Here is evidence of its supporting role on cognitive, social, and emotional development:

It helps children develop foundational skills in reading, math, self-control, and positive relationships.
It improves societal outcomes such as high school graduation rates, years of education completed, earnings, and long-term impacts on life achievement.

EXERCISE:

Who are the little ones in your life and in your communities?

How are you playing a role in assuring that they get all the support possible to benefit them well into adulthood?

Habit is the intersection of knowledge (what you do), skill (how to do), and desire (want to do)

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Barry

“Habit is the intersection of knowledge (what you do), skill (how to do), and desire (want to do).”

—Stephen R. Covey, late American educator, author and speaker

Image from Unsplash by Chase Baker

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People is one of my all-time favorite books.

I’ve read it numerous times over the years and even participated in several workshops and seminars based on its wisdom.

For some unknown reason I can’t recall ever seeing today’s quote.

The idea that our habits can be created and strengthened at the intersection of our knowledge, skills, and desires really hits home!

EXERCISE:

Draw a Venn Diagram with three overlapping circles to include each of these attributes.

Place the word Habit where the circles intersect and consider displaying this visual in an area you visit often to foster your capacities to create and strengthen the habits you most desire.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot

Posted on October 11, 2022 by Barry

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

—Dr. Seuss, in The Lorax

Image from Unsplash by Picsea

Among the skills introduced to our children during their early years, reading, writing, and ‘rithmatic as we called it, took top billing. The nightly bedtime story is still an integral part of many family rituals, including my grandchildren.

There probably isn’t a family that doesn’t have at least a few choice Dr. Seuss books that haven’t seen some considerable wear over the years.

Beyond the funny characters and rhyming words, there was almost always a life lesson in those pages to inspire and guide our little ones to be good people and do their part to help and serve others.

EXERCISE:

Please download and read The Carbon Almanac for Kids to help our future generations become knowledgeable and contributory stewards of our beautiful world. It’s free!

Friday Review: Skills

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Barry

Friday Review: Skills

We don’t all have the same skills. What are yours? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“Left untended, knowledge and skill, like all assets, depreciate in value surprisingly quickly.”

“The word ‘listen’ has the same letters as the word ‘silent.’”

“Today will be what you make of it.”

“Left untended, knowledge and skill, like all assets, depreciate in value surprisingly quickly.”

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Barry

“Left untended, knowledge and skill, like all assets, depreciate in value surprisingly quickly.”

—David Maister, former Harvard Business School professor

Image from Unsplash by Fredy Jacob

Where are your skills and knowledge not keeping up with the times?

Where have you dropped your intellectual anchor, letting the whole world know you have stopped at what seems like a safe spot to rest and sit things out?

I was recently asked to help a friend with her printer, to make copies of her resume to secure a new job. Although she had brand new cartridges installed, her computer couldn’t communicate with her printer due to an old, unsupported operating system.

EXERCISE:

Where are you falling a bit behind in the skills and knowledge needed to be successful professionally or personally? What investments can and will you make that will appreciate in value in the years ahead?

“The word ‘listen’ has the same letters as the word ‘silent.’”

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Barry

“The word ‘listen’ has the same letters as the word ‘silent.’”

—Alfred Brendel, Austrian pianist, poet and author

Image from Unsplash by Jodie P.

How high would you rate yourself in the category of listening?

How close do you come to the two-to-one ratio implied by the fact that you have two ears and only one mouth?

What makes this skill so very difficult?

Perhaps it has to do with the fact that we almost always listening to our own inner thoughts and opinions instead of granting others the respect and honor of our silence and full attention.

EXERCISE:

With whom in your personal or professional communities would it make the biggest difference if you silenced your inner voice and listened far more deeply?