Image from SpaceSys
When you settle under the covers and reflect on your day, what factors bring you satisfaction and put a smile on your face? What represents a day well spent to you?
Most people would say learning something new, and making a positive contribution are keys to living a meaningful life.
What do you intend to learn and contribute today, to make for a much brighter tomorrow?
My car just reached a milestone, passing the 200,000 mile mark!
In some ways I feel pretty happy, given I have never owned a car that lasted so long and was so dependable.
Beyond the great value this car has given me, I fondly recall all the wonderful outings, adventures, vacations, and new places it took me, my family, and others.
I also take pleasure in the fact that it keeps on going, remaining safe and highly useful, as long as I keep it well maintained.
How can you maintain yourself in good working condition, to continue your life journey beyond what you might expect? It sure beats rusting out, parked in a garage, and going nowhere!
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Use it or Lose it!” As a former science teacher, this reminds me of the concept of entropy, which points to how things decay or fall apart if energy is not added to the system.
New challenges are tests that bring forth the efforts and energies to tackle them. It is through such exertions that we grow, and bring order to our lives.
What challenges are you currently rising to in your personal and professional worlds?
How can you initiate and proactively take on new challenges to improve your life in body and soul?
How would you like a 10% return on your investments year after year?
Most people would be pretty happy with those results, except, perhaps, for some venture capitalists!
How does that relate to today’s quote? 10% Happier by Dan Harris is a book I highly recommend. Working on himself through his meditation and mindfulness practice, Harris tamed the voice in his head, reduced stress, and still kept his edge.
Meditation has allowed me to create far more sunny skies, because I’ve realized that we create our own weather through mindful self-awareness.
Consider picking up Dan’s book, or another resource on the value of daily meditation to help brighten your world.
I highly recommend the CALM app if you are just beginning this practice.
What inspires you? Here are a few inspiration-related posts you may have missed. Click the links to read the full message.
“Your Greatness is measured by your horizons.”
“Quiet people have the loudest minds.”
“Inspiration usually comes during work, not before it.”
Image from Stepping Stones
How are your investments doing these days? This past year? Since you began your personal investment plans?
What has been the return on your investments?
Given the tangibility and objectivity of money and its ability to be exchanged for products and services, you probably know this number reasonably well.
Time, on the other hand, is a bit more elusive, in that it is often far more difficult to determine exactly how well we spend it. One of my other favorite quotes on this topic is Time is the Coin of Life, suggesting its great importance to our overall success and satisfaction.
Today’s quote coaches us to be far more intentional and thoughtful in our decisions to allocate our time and energies. In doing so, it suggests, we will actually save time by not making poor decisions, false starts, or initiatives that may not optimally serve our visions and values.
Where and in what ways can and will you slow down and spend your time more wisely, in order to save time for those most prized and valued activities in your life?
Image from Unsplash
No quote captures my business and personal coaching work purpose better than this one!
A large percentage of people I work with in the business world rarely experience a perfect fit between who they are and what they do.
I see this most often when people seek coaching because they have a heightened awareness of this gap in their fulfillment and satisfaction, and choose to make an intentional transition with this huge chunk of their life.
To put you in closer touch to the work you are meant to do, consider reading these books:
Of course, you can always contact me to explore how I may assist you in this effort.
Image from Prettywomanbeauty.gr
I recently watched a National Geographic special explaining the process by which South Sea pearls are produced. The show demonstrates the massive lengths of time and even life threatening dangers involved in creating these beautiful and highly prized marine gems.
Each of us has abilities, talents, and characteristics that make us who we are. These special qualities bring much pleasure and satisfaction when we express them and share them with others in our personal and professional communities.
The use, practice, and pursuit of excellence and even mastery in these areas can create a sense of flow and timeless engagement, which often produces even more fulfillment.
What special qualities, talents, and unique abilities can you emphasize and cultivate moving forward? Who in your communities can help you identify these qualities and support your growth in the areas that are special to you?
Check out The Secret Life of Pearls on the National Geographic Channel or on YouTube
Image from Unsplash
How many business meetings do you attend on a daily basis? If you gave each a grade of A, B, or C, or rated them from 1-10 with 10 being outstanding, how would they score?
If you are like many professionals, dissatisfying meetings can be the bane of your work days. Books and other resources on this topic abound, many of which I encourage you to explore.
Consider, too, that we all have more meetings than we think—we call them phone calls. In many cases, we don’t prepare for them half as well as our sub-optimal face-to-face meetings.
Today, and in the weeks ahead, make a microresolution to use the phrase the reason for my call is… and see if the clarity of purpose improves the value and outcomes of your conversations.
How long has it been since you’ve spent time in total silence? Here are a few silence-related posts you may have missed. Click to read the full message.
“Silence is one of the great arts of communication.”
“Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.”