too many choices

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“You have too many choices. The process of elimination is your sedimentation tank. What remains are the priorities.”

—Laurent F. Carrel, Messages from Melanie

Image of the aisles of a superstore

Image from brainfodder.org

When was the last time you visited a big-box supermarket? It has been estimated that the number of food products in these megastores are in the tens of thousands. Clearly it is impossible to get everything in our shopping cart, so we all go through some process of elimination. We use criteria such as healthiness, value, shelf life, and taste as factors to make our choices.

EXERCISE:

What criteria do you currently use in your personal and professionals worlds to filter out unhealthy or undesirable options that do not serve your highest priorities?

How could being more selective improve your world?

Words of Encouragement

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“Words of encouragement fan the spark of genius into the flame of achievement.”

—Wilferd A. Peterson, 20th Century American Journalist

Image of men in the jungle

Image from nationalgeographic.com

Primal Survivor is a new show on the National Geographic Channel. Each episode takes you on a journey to a challenging and inhospitable place on earth, where show host Hazen Audel learns and uses remote tribal techniques to survive various 5-day treks.

In many episodes he is required to make fire to cook food, sterilize water, and in certain climates, keep warm. Creating that first spark and providing the fuel and oxygen to have it burst into flames is always an impressive feat.

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom can you provide significantly more encouragement to fan the spark of genius into the flames of achievement in your professional and personal communities?

Friday Review Behavior

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FRIDAY REVIEW: Behavior

What do your behaviors say about you? Here are a few behavior-related posts you may have missed. Click on the Quote to read the full message:

QC #1065a

 

     “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

 

 

 

image of daisies

“We have a tendency to want the other person to be a finished product while we give ourselves the grace to evolve.”

 

 

 

QC #1065c

 

“Throw me to the wolves and I will return leading the pack.”

 

 

 

 

temporary setbacks

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“Temporary setbacks boost your skill to open locks with previously unknown combinations.”

—Laurent F. Carrel, Messages from Melanie

Image of a combination lock

Image from Flickr by Rob Pongsajapan

Think about the places and things you secure with a lock. In our youth, we locked our bicycles, and our personal items in a school locker. Today, most of us have far too many passwords to keep all of our important accounts and electronic devices secure.

What if we considered an unsolved problem or a setback we are facing as merely having a temporary lock placed on it?

What if our job is simply to increase our safe-cracking abilities to reveal the treasured solutions inside?

EXERCISE:

In addition to coaches, mentors, advisors, and answers on Google, what additional strategies or tools could you employ to boost your skills at opening locks with unknown combinations?

The Real Question is not

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“The real question is not whether life exists after death. The real question is whether you are alive before your death.”

—Osho, Mystic Guru and Spiritual Leader

Image of Osho

Image from znanje.org

Over twenty years ago I attended a seminar with almost 200 other people. The session leader posed the question:

Why do most people wake up in the morning?

After the audience provided all the expected responses such as to go to work, or to start the new day, he shared his own thought, which was:

People wake up in the morning because they did not die in their sleep.

When the shock of his answer dissipated from the audience, we began a most interesting and engaging inquiry into what it means to be fully alive. Common aspects of being “fully alive” included traveling, learning, extraordinary relationships, spiritual pursuits, and making a bigger difference in the world.

EXERCISE:

What adjustments and changes are you willing to make in your life to cause you to enthusiastically and energetically bound out of bed each morning?

What one action will you take immediately to build this into a life-changing habit?

necessary to let things go

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“You will find that it is necessary to let things go, simply for the reason that they are heavy.”

—C. JoyBell C., American Philosophical Author

image of a downward scale

Image from csuiteinsider.com

I recently met two remarkable women at an event. Sam was one of the featured speakers at the event, and Pat was an event participant, as was I. They both shared their wondrous—and independent—stories of letting go of their possessions to travel the world more lightly.

Beyond the excitement and vitality conveyed in their adventures was the amazing, contagious impact the otters people at the conference experienced in hearing their stories. Many were inspired to “downsize” one or more aspect of their lives.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you release and let go of the people and things that weigh down your life?

Select at least one specific action you will take within the next 24 hours to begin to lighten your load, and consider responding to this post with your decision.

A Second Chance

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“Your first impression remains—but you can revise your opinion. Look once again and give someone a second chance!”

—Laurent F. Carrel, Messages from Melanie

Do Over image

Image from blue-route.org

Most of us are familiar with the adage, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Unfortunately, people come to rapid decisions based on their initial perceptions, which happens in mere seconds.

Today’s quote suggests that we all have the power to offer anyone a “do over,” the opportunity to shift our view of them to something far more positive and favorable.

EXERCISE:

Where would there be great value in offering others a second chance, personally or professionally?

Where could you ask those who do not perceive you as you desire for a “do over” as well?

Friday Review: Ambition

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Friday Review: Ambition

How well-defined are your ambitions? Here are a few ambition-related posts you may have missed. Click on the Quote to read the full message.

 

Just Ask image

 

“If there is something to gain and nothing to lose by asking, by all means ask.”

 

 

Image of seniors rollerblading

“What becomes fragile when we age is not our bodies as much as our egos. The best time to take some daring steps is when we get older.”

 

 

 

Image of hand placing a key in a lock

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”

 

 

The Best Preparation for Tomorrow

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“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”

—H. Jackson Brown, Jr. author of Life’s Little Instruction Book

image of archer aiming at a targetr

Image from skimbacolifestyle.com

Virtually everyone entering into a coaching relationship desires a better future. They want to go beyond ordinary, to achieve EXTRA-ordinary results and relationships in all aspects of their lives.

Doing your best and going the extra mile today is one sure bet that you will be further down the road when you take your first steps tomorrow morning.

EXERCISE:

Examine the following areas of your life to decide what extra attention and effort you will take to  support your better tomorrow:

Health Relationships Community
Learning/Skill Development Family Balance
Work Spiritual Growth Hobbies/avocations

Make the commitment: reply to this post to let me know what actions you plan to take.