FRIDAY REVIEW: PURPOSE
How in tune are you to your own life purpose? Here are a few purpose-related posts you may have missed.
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.”
“Of all knowledge, the wise and good seek most to know themselves.”
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”
—Author Unknown
Image from Unsplash by Deanna Ritchie
Did you know that this holiday season, about 45% of Americans—114 million people—plan to travel to a vacation site or to visit friends and family?
Each, statistically, is expected to shell out an average of $1,393 on flights and/or hotels.
Clearly, this level of investment is placing considerable value on either escaping their current life, or perhaps making sure life does not escape them.
EXERCISE:
Who are the special people you will travel with or visit this year?
What unique and extraordinary experiences are you planning?
Consider discussing these questions and others with those close to you, to make these traveling moments and their memories even more wonderful.
“Consumers don’t just want to understand the story…”
“Consumers don’t just want to understand the story. Increasingly they want to be part of it.”
—Robert Fabricant, Co-Founder/Partner, Dalberg Design
Image from Unsplash by freestocks.org
Storytelling is big business—very, very big business.
Consider all the products and services you use every day, and ask yourself: What’s their story? Or What is their Brand Message?
Perhaps what their story says about you is just as important, because you buy, consume, or use what they are selling.
Given the vast number of choices, most people want to make those that resonate with their personal beliefs and values.
Consider the choices you make that support being intelligent, popular, and having high status. Perhaps your choices are also healthy and good for the environment.
EXERCISE:
What is your story or brand? How would communicating your authentic life message attract more people who would like to be part of it?
“The more you know about the people you serve, the better you serve the people you know.”
“The more you know about the people you serve, the better you serve the people you know.”
—Author Unknown
Image created in Canva
Whenever I am asked to give a presentation to a group, I always take considerable time to get to know my audience. I also find this especially important in the discovery phase of a successful coaching engagement.
Although I have access to many tools and techniques to support their developmental goals, the resources are of little value to those attending my programs who are not seeking or open to what I wish to share.
Many years ago, I learned a concept that makes this point nicely. Simply stated: Speak to their Listening.
EXERCISE:
Where and with whom can and will you take time to learn more about the people you serve so you can better serve the people you know?
“Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing someone the chance to be helpful.”
“Refusing to ask for help when you need it is refusing someone the chance to be helpful.”
—Ric Ocasek, late vocalist, guitarist and songwriter
Image from Unsplash by Zan
There is no such thing as a self-made man or woman.
From the day we are born, our parents, family members, friends, teachers, counselors, mentors, and coaches have helped us along the way. If you look closely at these moments, you will likely see considerable happiness and smiles on their individual faces.
As we get older and gain more independence, many of us become reluctant, even resistant, to the assistance of others, because we don’t wish to impose or put them out.
How often have you stood proudly in your stubborn, I can do it myself shoes?
EXERCISE:
Where and with whom could you request assistance on an important matter to demonstrate how much you value them, and providing them the pleasure of being helpful?
Who in your world may be reluctant to ask you for a helping hand?
Friday Review: Stress
FRIDAY REVIEW: STRESS
What strategies and techniques do you employ to reduce stress? Here are three stress-related posts you may have missed.
“There is more to life than increasing its speed.”
“When I go to bed, I leave my trouble in my clothes.”
“Care and Diligence bring luck.”
“Care and Diligence bring luck.”
—Thomas Fuller, 17th Century English historian
We have all heard the phrase, The harder you work the luckier you get.
A question to consider related to this premise is: What causes some of us to work with such diligence?
Perhaps it is the idea of truly caring for something or someone that brings forth our very best and most determined efforts.
Research stated in Dan Pink’s book, Drive, confirms the importance of purpose and meaning as fundamental to what literally drives us forward.
EXERCISE:
How can you dramatically increase you own luck by bringing forth your most caring and diligent efforts in your personal and professional worlds?
“Profit is the applause you get for taking care of your customers and creating a motivating environment for your people.”
“Profit is the applause you get for taking care of your customers and creating a motivating environment for your people.”
—Ken Blanchard, internationally-known management consultant and author
Image from Unsplash by Ezra Jeffrey-Comeau
Without question, loyal customers and happy employees are foundational for a successful business. Companies that go from good to great and are built to last support these critical stakeholders, in most cases, far better than their competition.
To determine the basis for your own current level of applause/profit, ask yourself and your colleagues two questions:
- How extraordinary is our care and attention to the things our customers want, need, and desire?
- How inspired and motivated are our people to leap out of bed each morning to come to work?
EXERCISE:
What actions can and will you take to deserving and receive more standing ovations from these groups, now and into the future?
“People who are empowered don’t go along to get along.”
“People who are empowered don’t go along to get along.”
—Cheryl Richardson, New York Times bestselling author
Image from cherylrichardson.com
How strongly do the following statements apply to you?
- I have the power, authority, and autonomy to influence my personal and professional communities.
- I feel strong and confident in all areas of my life.
- I feel that my ideas and interests are valued and seriously considered at work and at home.
- I live a highly self-determined life in which I accept personal authority and responsibility for my actions.
EXERCISE:
If your thoughts regarding these statements fall below your desired levels of empowerment, consider where you happen to be “going along the get along.”
Where and with whom can and will you take steps to live a far more self-determined life?
“Human nature is like water. It takes the shape of its container.”
“Human nature is like water. It takes the shape of its container.”
—Wallace Stevens, 20th Century American Poet
Image from Unsplash by Delbert Pagayona
When I was a boy, one of my hobbies was maintaining a tropical fish tank with many varieties of brightly colored and various shaped species. In the early years, before they knew my level of commitment, my parents purchased a small set that included a ten-gallon tank.
As my interest grew, I graduated to more elaborate set-ups, which always involved a larger tank.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was that almost all fish species grew a bit larger in their expanded environments.
EXERCISE:
Examine some of the professional and personal containers in which you swim each day. How large is the container that supports your growth? Who are the individuals that influence your nature? What attitudes and behaviors do they exhibit?