“You can’t expect to hit the jackpot if you don’t put a few nickels in the machine.”

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“You can’t expect to hit the jackpot if you don’t put a few nickels in the machine.”

—Flip Wilson, 20th Century American comedian and actor

Image from Unsplash by DEAR

Are you a gambler? When was the last time you went to a casino hoping to hit it big, knowing in the back of your mind that the house always wins?

What if today’s quote were suggesting a different type of wager, in which we bet on our resources of time and effort?

EXERCISE:

In what areas of your life will you insert a few more nickels to guarantee hitting the jackpot?

Unlike money, you will never run out of the currency to bet on yourself.

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are an entire ocean in a drop.”

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“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are an entire ocean in a drop.”

—Rumi, 13th-century Persian poet & Sufi mystic

Image from Unsplash by Greg Rakozy

How often do you see yourself as small and insignificant? Depending on your perspective, you may see yourself as:

  • one vote among millions
  • one person among seven+ billion
  • one creature living on a tiny planet in a small solar system in one galaxy among trillions

If you are a fan of physics, you may also note that we live in one universe in a multiverse of infinite numbers.

Perhaps with those descriptions, you think I proved that we are even less than a drop in the ocean. But I suggest that instead you consider this:

Your body is composed of more cells than there are grains of sand on all the beaches in the world, and all the stars in our Milky Way galaxy, combined.

We are all made from star dust from super novas, and we possess the consciousness of knowing that is so.

EXERCISE:

How can you more fully embrace the miracle of you?

With this far bigger and more powerful perspective, how can and will you relate to your place in the world and from the world within you?

Friday Review: Purpose

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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.”

 

 

 

 

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

 

 

 

“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.”

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“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…”

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“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.”

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“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.”

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“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

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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.”

 

 

 

“Worries and tensions are like birds. We cannot stop them from flying near us, but we can certainly stop them from making a nest in our minds.”

 

 

 

 

“When I go to bed, I leave my trouble in my clothes.”

 

 

 

 

“Care and Diligence bring luck.”

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“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.”

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“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:

  1. How extraordinary is our care and attention to the things our customers want, need, and desire?
  2. 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?