What energizes you? How energetic do you feel most days? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
Be aware of your attitude and energy. Making mindful transitions helps your mode meet the moment.
“Individual willpower is a shallow container from which to draw energy.”
The other day a friend asked who was my audience for The Quotable Coach blog. My off-the-cuff response included people looking to live more meaningful lives and those looking to learn, grow, and pursue greater wisdom.
As with many bloggers, we only get a small glimpse of who actually reads our work. We rarely get to see the impact we intend and just hope that it does. I know for sure that the process of writing is definitely valuable to me even if no one else digs into the nuggets being offered.
EXERCISE:
If you are a loyal or even an occasional reader of this blog, please consider replying with a brief note about yourself and let me know why you invest a minute of your day to see what may be there for you.
Thank you.
Image from Unsplash by Charles Givens
High-end restaurants and those on cruise ships often refer to their spirit selections as Top Shelf by proudly displaying their eye-catching attractive bottles.
The makers of these beverages probably spend as much time in their packaging and marketing efforts as they do making a quality product, maybe even more.
How often does what’s on the outside truly reflect what’s on the inside?
EXERCISE:
Where else in your world are your focusing too much on the packaging of things?
How can you look beyond labels and outward appearances to discover that it’s often what’s on the inside that counts?
Image from Unsplash by Sean Quillen
When you examine the entrance requirements of our nation’s top schools, you’ll notice only a modest percentage of students are admitted.
Virtually all applicants can document top scores in standardized tests, and GPAs north of 4.0. What most of these schools also want to see is what these individuals have done with their lives through essays and interviews that highlight their extracurricular activities.
Looking beyond raw smarts and even their “I can” attitudes, these institutions are looking for folks that can humbly say “I did.”
EXERCISE:
How have you used your IQ and “I can” to prove to yourself and the world that you have done something significant and meaningful with your life?
What potential still lies within you to be and do more in the years to come?
Image from Unsplash by Jakob Owens
What are some of your favorite movies?
Close your eyes and visualize the lead characters and the story told through the wordsmithing skills of the screenwriters.
What made these diversions in your day so engaging and memorable?
Consider the idea that you are making a movie and that your inner narrative is the screenplay on which it is based. Who would be interested in seeing this movie and what actor would you want to play you?
EXERCISE:
Write a short story based about a new and more interesting you. How could this exercise add a bit more excitement and engagement to the life you are actually leading?
Where do you put your strongest efforts in life? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“People can’t jump on your bandwagon if it’s parked in the garage.”
“What is the least I can teach you that would be the most valuable?”
“Do my expectations match the level of effort I’m giving?”
Image from Unsplash by Miki Fath
If the idea Thoughts Become Things is true, being an optimist seems like a pretty good way to manifest a good life.
Consider the half full versus the half empty people in your life.
Who do you prefer to be around and what other people and things seem to be attracted to them?
Explore your family gatherings and the people with whom you work.
Which people light you up or pour cold water on your world?
EXERCISE:
The books Learned Optimism, and Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman, PhD are two excellent resources to expand your optimism to lead you and others to many better tomorrows.
Image from Unsplash by Iván Díaz
At this time of year, many of us are getting email and text reminders from our local pharmacies.
You know — the ones urging you to make an appointment for your next set of vaccines to lower your risk of the flu, Covid-19, and other medical maladies going around.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a vaccine to eliminate a bad attitude or fortify a good one?
It would likely boost your zapping energies and vanquish your sapping ones to an even healthier and happier life!
EXERCISE:
Consider reading or re-reading the book ZAPP-the Lightning of Empowerment by William C. Byham and Jeff Cox to make your positive attitude contagious heading into the holiday season and the new year.
Image from Unsplash by Lars Blankers
Do you do much cooking? If so, how often do you use onions in your recipes?
If you use them often you know that they are most often sliced and diced rather than peeled layer by layer.
Life can be like that too, when its difficulties and challenges seem to slice through our existing plans and expectations.
Getting back to cooking, what happens when our layered friends are sautéed and browned?
Yep! the caramelization process brings out natural sugars to enhance their subtle sweetness!
EXERCISE:
Like an onion, how can you bring out more of life’s sweetness into your days and accept the tears that often come as we slice, dices and layer?
Image from Unsplash by CDC
I’m not so sure I fully agree with today’s quote.
I can think of numerous examples where some folks are wired for greed and educated for generosity. How about you?
Consider parenting when children refuse to share with their siblings. Whether it’s a favorite toy or even a snack, the phrase That’s Mine! and some tears often result.
With maturity and positive role modeling from loving parents, our little ones often begin to experience the rewards of giving and supporting those around them.
EXERCISE:
Where do you see the good and bad in our natural wiring?
How do positive and negative role models create a dichotomy in the way we treat others?
Which way are you leaning in your thoughts and actions?