Loving Joyous Spirit

Posted on July 20, 2016 by Barry

“Youth is eternal to those with a curious, loving, joyous spirit.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image from Flickr by Jose Maria Cuellar

Our world celebrates youth. You need only pay attention to the vast number of marketing messages with which we are bombarded. All we need do is buy this cream, take that pill, eat this food, and engage in some form of turbo-charged workout, and we, too, will dodge the ravages of aging.

We all know that these strategies, at their best, can only modestly impact our lives, and drive many of us nuts in the process. Perhaps we should take Brendon’s coaching to assure we have an eternally youthful spirit.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you be more youthful and joyous through meaningful opportunities to learn, and to build more loving relationships?

Life is a bank account

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Barry

“Business and life are like a bank account. You can’t take out more than you put in.”

—William Feather, 20th Century American Writer and Publisher

image of a piggy bank with a gas meter on it

Image from Stevemgus.com

When you were little did you have a piggy bank in which to save for that special something you desired? Did you have chores or another way of investing efforts to earn more and add more to your small fortune?

When I entered school we were all encouraged to start a savings account. We would grow our tidy sums with the promise of a bonus—called “interest”—that would add even more.

Today, most of us contribute to our IRAs, 401Ks, and other investment vehicles, in order to grow our net worth and provide the financial security and independence we all desire.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you invest your personal and professional efforts to reap the compounded interest of a life focused on giving and contributing to others?

seeds of greatness

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Barry

“The seeds of greatness grow faster in the hearts of those doing work they love.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image of hand holding seeds of greatness

Image from Flickr by Elis Alves

I recently read Adam Grant’s book, Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success.

Adam is an award-winning researcher, and Wharton’s highest rated professor. Among the many important forces he discovered through his extensive research is the critical elements of relationships, and their impact on success.

He discovered that people operate as takers, matchers, or givers, resulting in various degrees of success based on whether the focus is on oneself or others.

Giving, it turns out, especially in work that people truly enjoy and makes a meaningful contribution, seems to be most highly correlated with the greatest levels of success.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you start or do more of the work you love, so that you reap an even greater harvest in your professional and personal lives?

Appreciation Friday Review

Posted on July 15, 2016 by Barry

Appreciation: Friday Review

Who and what do you appreciate? Here are a few appreciation-related posts you might have missed. Click on the link to read the full post.

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”

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

“The best view comes after the hardest climb.”

Believing in you

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Barry

“Sometimes you just need to be reminded: ‘You Got This!’”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image of Olympic Gold Medals. Believing in you

Image from Flickr by Zoe

The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain were my inspiration to become a coach. With the 2016 Olympics right around the corner, we will all see extraordinary efforts and accomplishments. The most exceptional athletes will stand on that platform to receive their medals and hear their national anthem played before the entire world.

If you could jump into a time machine to explore the lives of each of these athletes, you would discover one common factor that contributed to their success. That factor was the faith, commitment, and support of family, friends, and of course, the coaches, who believed in their greatness.

EXERCISE:

Who can you thank today for always believing and having faith in you? Who in your world might experience a difference in their lives from more “You Got This!” messages from you?

your share of happiness

Posted on July 13, 2016 by Barry

“Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn’t stop to enjoy it.”

—William Feather, 20th Century American Writer and Publisher

Image of the words "Slow Down" Happiness Post

Image from Flickr by Marie-Chantal Turgeon

Take a few minutes to observe the pace of life around you. Many people describe their days as busy, hectic, stressful, maybe even chaotic.

In many ways our fast-paced, multi-tasking world makes us very productive. Yet, we are often so driven we miss the stop signs that can help us fully appreciate and enjoy the moments.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you slow down your pace of life to more fully enjoy it, and experience your share of happiness?

willingness to endure struggle

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Barry

“The only difference between a casual interest and a deep desire is the latter inspires a willingness to endure struggle.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image from Flickr by Faith(@101)

One of my favorite phrases is Commitment Supersedes Comfort. Examine for yourself where and when you and others you know operate outside your comfort zone, rather than taking the path of least resistance.

Hard work, overcoming obstacles, and taking on big challenges are far more satisfying when we are focused on a goal or the outcome we deeply desire.

EXERCISE:

Select at least one of your deeply held personal or professional desires for which you will accept whatever struggle may be required. What are you willing to endure to achieve it?

Put your light on the table

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Barry

“Put your light on the table where it can shine, without blinding others.”

—Laurent F. Carrel, Messages from Melanie

Image from workwithreema.wordpress.com

Most people would agree that bragging, showing off, and calling excessive attention to ourselves are unbecoming traits. A question to ponder might be how do we toot our own horn without blowing it?

Perhaps if we simply consider our gifts, talents, and creative ideas as a form of light, we can use our own personal dimmer switch to tone things down a bit, not blind those around us, and offer them the opportunity to shine as well.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you become more aware of how to contribute and illuminate various situations without blinding others in the process?

Consider looking for opportunities to help others shine and add their own contributions as well.

Friday Review Talent

Posted on July 8, 2016 by Barry

Friday Review: Talent

What talents do you bring to your personal or professional worlds? Here are a few behavior-related posts you may have missed. Click on the Quote to read the full message:

“One of my greatest talents is recognizing talent in others and giving them the forum to shine.”

“Don’t quit your day dream.”

“Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn.”

Life is like photography

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Barry

“Life is like photography. You use the negatives to develop.”

—Author Unknown

Image from mipg.com.au

Many people ignore, suppress, or try to run away from the negatives in life. If you, too, utilize this strategy, try being a bit more like a photographer.

Consider how the best at this craft capture the extraordinary pictures, the ones that “WOW” us. Examine their observatory and reflective skills, their understanding of light and shadow, and other aspects of photography that bring out the brilliance of each shot.

EXERCISE:

How can you more fully examine and reflect on the negatives in your world to develop and have an even more wonderful life?