No problem of human making is too great to be overcome

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Barry

“No problem of human making is too great to be overcome by human ingenuity, human energy, and the untiring hope of the human spirit.”

—George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States

Image from Huffpost

Do you watch the news and follow current events? If you do, my guess is that you may see the world is in quite a mess, with problems around every corner.

We don’t need to look at just the global, national, or regional events presented to us by the media. We need only look to our own back yards, within our communities and families to see our immediate challenges.

Would you believe me if I told you that there is fact-based evidence that the world as a whole is in many ways far better off than at any other point in human history?

Imagine a media outlet focused exclusively on the power and impact of human ingenuity, energy, and the hopeful efforts of the human spirit.

EXERCISE:

Do some research for yourself into how mankind is actually coming together to solve some of our most pressing problems.

A few books you may consider reading on this subject are:
Abundance by Peter Diamandis
Factfulness by Hans Rosling
Thank You for Being Late by Thomas Friedman

Appreciation is a wonderful thing

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Barry

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”

—Voltaire, 16th Century French Writer

Image of Voltaire from Wikiquote

Voltaire lived to be eighty-four years old. Considering he was born in 1694, that is practically a miracle, given the poor sanitation levels and lack of healthcare available in Europe at the time.

Perhaps it was his considerable appreciation for the world around him that had him experience life with a sense of greater abundance and awe. With such a healthy and robust view of life, who wouldn’t keep reaching for one more day, and then another?

EXERCISE:

How might you experience and more fully appreciate everything and everyone around you in the coming days? How would such a mindful practice lead you to a richer, more fulfilling life?

To keep a warm heart in winter is a real victory

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Barry

“To keep a warm heart in winter is a real victory.”

—Marty Rubin, Canadian author of The Boiled Frog Syndrome

Image from Livestrong

We are currently in the grips of winter here in Michigan, and today’s quote reminded me of a story a friend shared at a holiday luncheon.

As a little girl, she would often wait outside in the cold for the school bus. To keep her warm, her mom would bake small potatoes in aluminum foil and slip them in her pockets to hold through her mittens, making her wait a bit more comfortable. Once in her seat, she had the extra benefit of a tasty snack to eat on her way to school.

To this day, she attributes this heartwarming story from childhood for her current fondness for hash brown potatoes for breakfast.

EXERCISE:

What heartwarming strategies can you employ to show your love and care for others this winter, and all year long? If you happen to have one of your own heartwarming stories, please hit reply and send it my way!

The reinvention of daily life means marching off the edge of our maps

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Barry

“The reinvention of daily life means marching off the edge of our maps.”

—Bob Black, American Activist

Image from Unsplash by Abyan Athif

If you happen to be a passionate advocate for your personal growth and development, you’ve probably heard of Tony Robbins.

Since the late 70s, he has impacted millions of people through his seminars, self-help books, and infomercials. He and his numerous companies earn about $6 billion in annual sales.

I recently watched his “I am Not Your Guru” documentary, which highlights his 6-day “Date with Destiny” event, in which 2,500 participants invested about $5,000 each in their own reinvention efforts toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Fundamental to each participant’s quest was the generation of breakthrough thoughts and actions well beyond the personal maps and mental models that limit all of us.

In my opinion, he delivered on his promise and earned every penny.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways it is time to leave your own predictable life and venture off the maps that seem to limit your horizons?

What specific changes can you implement immediately to shift your thinking, modify a habit, or alter a daily routine to begin this reinvention process today?

Friday Review of Posts on Answers

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Barry

FRIDAY REVIEW: ANSWERS

Where do you turn when you are seeking answers? Here are a few answer-related posts you may have missed. Click to read the full message.

“There is more than one right answer.”

“Imagine that the universe is about to whisper the answer to your deepest questions. You do not want to miss it.”

“The reason I talk to myself is because I’m the only one whose answers I accept.”

Who needs me on my ‘A Game’ the most right now

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Barry

“Who needs me on my ‘A Game’ the most right now?”

—Brendon Burchard, High Performance Author

Image from verywellfamily

Brendon Burchard is a best-selling author and one of the world’s leading High Performance coaches. His latest book, High Performance Habits, was one of Amazon’s top three best business and leadership books of 2017.

Today’s quote hits home for me personally and professionally. Throughout my life I’ve observed that most everyone desires and is committed to contributing to others. This focus seems to be universally required to live a full and meaningful life.

EXERCISE:

Where are you currently operating well below your “A” game and fullest potential?

Who specifically in your world needs you at your very best?

What specific efforts are required to make this level of contribution?

If all it took to upend the status quo was the truth

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Barry

“If all it took to upend the status quo was the truth, we would have changed a long time ago.”

—Seth Godin, American Author

In Seth Godin’s newest book, This is Marketing, he suggests that to be effective, all marketers must have the courage to create tension. Some people actively seek tension because it works to push or pull those we hope to serve over the gap from the present to a better future.

For those who resist change and prefer the relative comfort of the status quo, these influences/marketing messages fall on deaf ears. In such cases, the truth does not set us free, for fear of whatever future we wish to avoid.

Godin suggests that the status quo doesn’t shift because something is true, it shifts because culture changes, and the engine of culture is status.

EXERCISE:

Examine where you and others in your personal and professional communities embrace change and find yourself open and receptive to the abundance of marketing messages coming your way. Where might saying yes and embracing such new ways of thinking or acting improve your status?

The great secret about goals and visions

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Barry

“The great secret about goals and visions is not the future they describe, but the change in the present they engender.”

—David Allen, American Productivity Consultant

Image of a circle of people looking down at the camera

Image from Unslpash by RawPixel

I hope you had a very happy holiday season, and that your new year is off to an outstanding start. Perhaps you are like most of us in that you set about to revisit your visions for the new year, and establish “stretch” goals for where you see yourself professionally and personally.

What progress, skills, habits, and achievements will put a big smile on your face? Perhaps most importantly, what daily changes will be required to realize what you deeply desire?

David Allen suggests, in today’s quote, that our visions and goals provide the leverage of our commitment to changing our present actions that will have us realize the futures we desire.

EXERCISE:

Consider displaying the following quote by Tuli Kupferberg in your personal or professional environment as a daily reminder to tap into one of the secrets to a better future:

“When patterns are broken, new worlds will emerge.”

Also consider writing it with the second part first:

“New worlds will emerge when patterns are broken.”

You don’t need clarity on the rest of your life

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Barry

“You don’t need clarity on the rest of your life, just on what’s next in your life.”

—Sam Horn, Motivational Keynote Speaker

Image created in Canva

In my Coaching Discovery process, I ask prospective clients to rate their level of agreement, on a scale of one (low) to five (high), with the following statement:

“I have a clear view of where I am and where I want to go in life.”

Virtually no one rates themselves five, and most give themselves a score of three or less.

Sam Horn suggests, on one of her recent posts, that we can all use what she calls “The Four I’s” to add greater clarity to navigating a more fulfilling and successful life. They are:

Instincts: What does your gut say?
Interests: What are your talents, skills, and unique abilities?
Integrity: What life choices are most aligned with your core values and priorities?
Initiative: How can you proactively reach out to an individual or organization that is doing work you admire and respect?

EXERCISE:

Explore The Four I’s with a coach, close friend, or professional colleague whose perspective you value to help you see more clearly what’s next for you.