Because I had a friend

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Barry

“I’m a success today because I had a friend who believed in me and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.”

⏤Abraham Lincoln,16th President of the United States

Image from Flickr by Jim Grey

Perhaps no other single factor beyond personal motivation contributes more to eventual success than social support. This includes friends, family, teachers, mentors, and other encouraging individuals. Lincoln, often considered one of our finest presidents, attributed his success⏤which included many bumps in the road⏤to a loyal and supportive friendship.

EXERCISE:

Who are the individuals that are always there to support and encourage you to be your very best? Consider thanking them today, and let them know the difference they make.

How can you pay it forward by being the friend who believes in the highest potential of others? Perhaps there is a future Lincoln in the bunch!

Compromise Makes a Good Umbrella

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Barry

“Compromise makes a good umbrella, but a poor roof.”

-James Russell Lowell, 19th Century American writer/editor

Image from Flickr by Paul Varuni

Relationships, whether personal or professional, always require some give and take. Being flexible, open-minded, and willing to compromise is a common practice and simply creates greater work-ability in our lives.

On certain fundamental issues, however, we all need to stand firm and perhaps be willing to lose or leave a particular relationship due to what could be a break in integrity, ethics, and core values.

EXERCISE:

Where in either your personal or professional world is it appropriate to compromise for the betterment of all? On what matters is it appropriate and necessary to maintain the solid shingles of your fundamental values and beliefs?

“There’s no such thing as an overachiever…”

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Barry

“There’s no such thing as overachievers; there are only under estimators.”

—Author Unknown

Image from pass-it-on.tumbler.com

What is your potential for achievement? Perhaps the better question is, “What is your perception of your potential?”

People never simply luck out and exceed their expectations. They have to work at it.

Too many people, on the other hand, have a more limited or modest view of what they can achieve. Even if they hit their mark, they are often shooting at a less than optimal target.

EXERCISE:

Where in either your personal or professional life is it appropriate, even necessary, to stretch and overestimate your capabilities to achieve your most highly desired objectives?

A Collection of Experiences

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Barry

“Life is simply a collection of experiences. Your job is to increase the intensity and then the frequency of those experiences.”

-Jim Rohn, late American entrepreneur, author & motivational speaker

Life is about making memories. If you doubt this idea, you only need to examine Facebook and other Social Media sites to observe the highlights from someone’s vacation, weekend, or other significant events. We all like to see what interesting and sometimes amazing experiences our friends and families are having. Of course, we far prefer to engage in these experiences ourselves!

EXERCISE:

Create your own one week, one month, and one year bucket list to be more intentional about increasing the intensity and frequency of your life experience collection.

Friday Review Accountability

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Barry

FRIDAY REVIEW: ACCOUNTABILITY

What level of accountability do you hold, personally or professionally? Here are a few accountability-related posts you may have missed. Click on the links to read the full messages.

“I have an existential map. It has ‘you are here’ written all over it.”

“If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.”

“Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.”

Your assumptions are your windows on the world

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Barry

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.”

—Isaac Asimov, Science Fiction Writer

Image of "The Four Agreements" book cover

Have you every read The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz? If not, please order a copy today.

The third agreement in this masterpiece is “Don’t Make Assumptions.”

Unfortunately, we all tend to make assumptions about everything and everybody. This is often the root of much dysfunction, chaos, and general unhappiness in our world.

EXERCISE:

Where would greater openness and clarification of issues, personally or professionally, let more light in so you could lead a more fulfilling and satisfying life?

Remove a Mountain

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Barry

“The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

-Chinese Proverb

Image from Flickr

Where are you today in regard to some of your most ambitious personal or professional goals for the new year? Are you in full stride, ahead of schedule?

Perhaps you are stalled, have lowered your sights considerably, or have stopped completely.

Today’s quote points to the small, consistent efforts we can all make on a daily basis to begin again, make progress, and eventually move mountains.

EXERCISE:

What are the “small stones” you will move today, to make progress toward your most desired personal or professional objectives?

They invented hugs to let people know

Posted on February 14, 2017 by Barry

“They invented hugs to let people know you love them without saying anything.”

-Bil Keane, American Cartoonist, author of The Family Circus

Image from Flickr by Jan Karlo Camero

On this Valentine’s Day, let’s imagine we are from Missouri—the “Show Me” state—where actions speak louder than words.

In his book The 5 Love Languages, Gary Chapman states that only one of the languages actually says anything. The other four ways to show our love are:

Spending quality time
Receiving and giving gifts
Acts of service
Physical touch, including hugs

EXERCISE:

How can and will you say and demonstrate your love for the special people in your life, this Valentine’s Day, and every day to come?

Consider picking up a copy of Chapman’s important book, to become more masterful at demonstrating your love to others.

One Can Change the World

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Barry

“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.”

—Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani Activist/youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

Image from mirror.com.uk

At some point in life, we all ask ourselves: What is the meaning of life? Why are we here?

Many of us find great satisfaction and meaning realizing that our lives have purpose, that it is to make a difference, and in some way—big or small—to change the world.

What books have you read recently? What letters, emails, or blog posts have you written?
What child’s life have you impacted or touched in some meaningful way? How have you taught, mentored, or coached others in your life? How have you benefited from those around you sharing their life lessons?