Great Flames follow little sparks

Posted on by

“A great flame follows a little spark.”

—Dante Alighieri, Late Middle Age Italian Poet

Image of hand flicking a lighter

Image from Flickr by Jeffrey

When was the last time you experienced a spark of genius, or a really good idea?  What happened to this spark once you saw its small but brilliant glow?

Did it go out quickly, or in keeping with today’s quote, did you add more fuel and oxygen until it burst into flame?

EXERCISE:

Examine the projects and the people in your world that represent the sparks of possibility and greater potential.

How can you fan and fuel these projects and people so they can burn brightly and light the way for others?

Well begun is half done

Posted on by

“Well begun is half done.”

—Cited by Aristotle as an ancient proverb

post-it-note with today's quote

Image from Data49

When was the last time you were super satisfied with something you had done or accomplished? Take a few seconds to bask in the joy and pleasure of that event.

What would it be like to feel that way all the time, or at least more often?

What gets in the way?

We all know that putting things off acts like an anchor on our lives. Not only do we not achieve what we deeply desire, but most of us do a good job of beating ourselves up about it. That places an even bigger and darker cloud over our lives.

EXERCISE:

Select at least one personal or professional project you will initiate and follow through on today to experience the satisfaction and exhilaration of Aristotle’s coaching.

Discover the Truth

Posted on by

“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered. The point is to discover them.”

—Galileo Galilei, 17th Century Italian astronomer & philosopher

Image of a boy in a science center

Image from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

What makes something real or true? Many would agree that perception is reality, and the mental models and paradigms we create throughout our lives lock in what is true for us.

The process of coaching emphasizes the examination of these views and perspectives.  It supports far greater awareness and promotes the discovery that enhances their desired outcomes.

EXERCISE:

Where and on what issues would you benefit most from a coaching process to more fully discover your most important truths?

Friday Review: Creativity

Posted on by

FRIDAY REVIEW: CREATIVITY

What place does creativity have in your life? Here are a few creativity-related posts you may have missed. Click on the link to read the full message.

 

“Great minds like a think.”

 

 

 

qc-1185b

“Criticize by Creating.”

 

 

 

 

qc-1185c

“You don’t get into something to test the waters. You go into things to make waves.”

 

 

 

 

 

Unplug it

Posted on by

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”

—Anne Lamott, American Novelist and Political Activist

Image of an unplugged plug

Image from Flickr by Daniele Margaroli

How are you at problem solving and troubleshooting? When was the last time you were really grinding on a particular issue with no success?

Today’s quote points to the simple yet often effective technique of taking a break to allow a change of perspective. This gives us opportunity to come at a problem with a fresh set of eyes.

EXERCISE:

How often do you find yourself putting in marathon levels of effort with somewhat diminishing returns?

Where and when would it be appropriate and more helpful to unplug from a particular issue in order to gain greater workability?

perseverance versus obstinacy

Posted on by

“The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.”

—Henry Ward Beecher, 19th Century Cleric

Image of a mother holding a baby

Image from Flickr by Darren Johnson

Have you ever tried to lift a small child who did not want to be picked up? The obstinacy of these little ones makes that 35-pound two-year-old feel like a ton of dead weight!

On the other hand, what it is like when this same child wants to leap into your arms with excitement and great enthusiasm?  The child is light as a feather.

EXERCISE:

Where in your world are you experiencing obstinacy and a strong “won’t” from those around you?

How can you rework these relationships to agree and align on a common future in which all parties pursue a common goal?

Inspect what you expect

Posted on by

“People don’t do what you expect but what you inspect.”

—Louis V. Gerstner Jr., former CEO of IBM

Image of military inspection

Image from Flickr by Jason Pier in DC

How often in your personal or professional worlds do people let you down by making, then not fulfilling, their promises?

Unfulfilled expectations are key reasons for the upsets we experience on a daily basis.

A simple yet highly effective strategy to bolster the odds of promises being fulfilled is to add accountability and direct inspection to the agreements you reach with others.

The knowledge that you or others will actually be checking up and inspecting the efforts and accompanying results almost guarantees the job gets done.

EXERCISE:

Where in either your personal or professional worlds would an “inspect what you expect” strategy dramatically improve the percentage of promises kept, and the results you desire?

Grab a Star

Posted on by

“Most look up and admire the stars. A champion climbs a mountain and grabs one.”

—Author Unknown

Image of man on mountaintop grabbing stars

Image from CDP Safe

What stars are you reaching for these days? To what degree do you leap out of bed each morning, eager to jump into your personal or professional quest?

Perhaps you, like many, simply examine and admire the efforts or accomplishments of others through social media, or more traditional methods.

You may also compare yourself to others and get excited to summon your own “Go For It!” perspective.

EXERCISE:

What personal or professional mountains will you begin or continue to climb today, to grab your own star with the heart of a champion?

Friday Review Compassion

Posted on by

FRIDAY REVIEW: COMPASSION

Compassion is a virtue we should all develop. Here are a few compassion-related quotes you may have missed, that will show you why. Click on the links to read the full post.

Image of 3 generations of Barry's Family

“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because some day in your life you will have been all of these.”

 

 

Hand Reaching

 

“We rise by lifting others.”

 

 

 

qc-1180c

 

“Love will draw an elephant through a key hole.”

 

 

 

 

Your Awakening

Posted on by

“I awake each day thinking of your awakening.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image of sunrise

Image from psychicsvideokline

What percentage of people go through their lives half asleep, or awaken only for special occasions and weekends?

How bright-eyed and bushy-tailed are you in the morning? How much do you look forward to each new day?

I deeply desire my own daily awakening and have pursued my career as a coach to support others to do the same. With a “pay it forward” approach and attitude, many of my clients do the same in their communities. Most would say that is one of the most satisfying parts of the coaching process.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you enhance and improve your world, to wake each day with greater enthusiasm and vitality?

Where and with whom can you awaken the lives of others, so they can do the same?