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Everything Begins Today

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“Today is when everything that’s going to happen from now on begins.”

– Harvey Firestone Jr., businessman

Image from Pinterest

Image from Pinterest

A considerable number of people who enter into a coaching relationship have a “governor” on their life and career engine that seems to be limiting them from moving forward at the speed they desire.

Their trips down memory lane regarding past accomplishments and setbacks often limit what they’re willing to do at this moment in time.

Exercise:

To minimize these journeys into the past, which may limit your orientation for forward movement, consider creating a number of Post-it notes with the following question. Place them throughout your personal and professional environments.

What is the most important thing I can do at this very moment?

Repeat this question often, to do what you can from where you are.

Thank you for being part of The Quotable Coach. Remember, you can hit “reply” on my emails at any time to let me know your thoughts and suggestions.

“It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.”

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“It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.”

– Sarah Bernhardt, French actress

About six or seven years ago, I attended a coaching conference where one of the keynote speakers was Lynne Twist. Lynn is a global activist and fundraiser who had the audience enthralled with amazing stories and encounters from her work.

Her book, The Soul of Money, offers many revealing insights into our attitude toward money in regard to earning it, spending it, and yes, giving it away as a means of expanding our prosperity.

Exercise:

One of the first quotes that I posted in The Quotable Coach series was “Time is the coin of life” by Carl Sandburg. With this in mind, how can you spend yourself and your time each day – and in the process, become richer for it?

Consider picking up a copy of The Soul of Money and reading it with a close friend or family member, to see what insights it may hold for you.

“I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.”

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“I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.”

– George S. Patton, US general in World War II

My dad loves golf. He loves to play it and he loves to watch it. Recently, while watching a tournament together, I noticed the commentator describing the characteristics of a golfer. In talking about him, they referred to a term known as the “bounce-back factor.” This term refers to the ability to achieve a birdie or eagle after a bogey or double-bogey on the previous hole.

Rarely in golf or life do we experience bogey-free rounds or successes without setbacks. Our ability to experience these events and bounce back with resilience and resolve, as Patton suggests, is a measure of success.

Exercise:

How often and how long do you stay down when faced with life’s setbacks? What strategies can you employ to bounce back even higher and faster in the future?

“No one ever won a chess game by betting on each move. Sometimes you have to move backward to get a step forward.”

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“No one ever won a chess game by betting on each move. Sometimes you have to move backward to get a step forward.”

– Amar Gopal Bose, entrepreneur and engineer

Recently, my wife and I purchased an iPad and downloaded a puzzle game that we found difficult and frustrating at first. Our attempts to process through the mazes were often thwarted as we attempted to move forward. As we realized that this strategy was not working, we began to explore alternative approaches to achieve our objectives.

Sometimes moving sideways – and often moving backwards – are the only strategies that prove successful in the end.

Exercise:

In what ways are your life, career, and relationships like a game of chess, where each move is only a small piece of the puzzle? Where could you move sideways, or even backwards, to eventually make forward progress?

“Here is the simple but powerful rule … always give people more than they expect to get.”

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“Here is the simple but powerful rule … always give people more than they expect to get.”

– Nelson Boswell, self-help author

I was talking with a fellow coach the other day about my desire to grow the readership of The Quotable Coach, so more people could potentially benefit.

He asked me how much “wow” it provided – so that people would not only read it themselves, but would go out of their way to share this resource with others who might benefit.

Adding more “wow” is a daunting task, in that the bar seems to be getting raised daily. As it pertains to The Quotable Coach, please feel free to share with me how I may provide more “wow” and exceed your expectations.

Exercise:

How can you provide more “wow” and exceed the expectations of those you serve in your professional and personal life?

Please consider forwarding this email to 3 – 5 people, so that they can benefit too. 🙂

“You have to have your heart in the business and the business in your heart.”

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“You have to have your heart in the business and the business in your heart.”

– Thomas J. Watson, chairman and CEO of IBM from 1914 – 1956

Over 19 years ago, I was faced with a professional fork in the road that eventually, through taking the road less traveled, has had me pursue coaching as my career and professional purpose.

Up till then, I had what many would consider a successful 12-year career in sales, marketing and advertising with a well-known pharmaceutical company.

Unfortunately, I was unhappy and unfulfilled. My heart just wasn’t in it, and I went into most days with dread and indifference.

Other than marrying my wife Wendy and raising two great kids, the pursuit of my passion for coaching is one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Exercise:

To what degree is your career/business in your heart? What changes can you make to find greater heart in your business?

“To business that we love we rise bedtime, and go to’t with delight.”

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“To business that we love we rise bedtime, and go to’t with delight.”

– William Shakespeare, playwright

What are the qualities and the characteristics of people who love their work and take delight in it? Is it possible to intentionally design work in such a way as to foster greater employee engagement, satisfaction and productivity?

According to Daniel Pink, in his book Drive (published in 2009), three things are necessary:

  • Autonomy, which Pink describes as the ability to direct the course of your own life and the work that you perform.
  • Self-challenge and mastery, or the over-arching desire to improve yourself and get better at what you enjoy.
  • Purpose, the reason behind your role, beyond personal gain – yes, making a difference through your efforts.

Exercise:

How can you pursue greater autonomy, mastery, and purpose in your work … and influence your organization to foster these qualities for everyone?

“You can employ men and hire hands to work for you, but you must win their hearts to have them work with you.”

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“You can employ men and hire hands to work for you, but you must win their hearts to have them work with you.”

– William J. H. Boetcker, Presbyterian minister and public speaker

Are you an employee or a team member where you work?

Do you have a boss or a team leader that co-ordinates your efforts?

Do you have a vested interest in the work, beyond a paycheck?

Do your days fly by or drag on?

Over the past few years, much has been written and reported about Zappos and how they capture the hearts of both customers and associates. The book entitled Delivering Happiness tells the story of how they do it.

Exercise:

Check out this one-minute video to get a glimpse of what I mean:

http://www.deliveringhappiness.com/about-us

How can you capture employees’ hearts and help them be a part of something bigger?