FRIDAY REVIEW: CHARACTER
How would people describe your character? Here are a few character-related posts you may have missed. Click on the links to read the full message.
“There’s plenty of room at the top, but there’s no room to sit down.”
Misuse of Imagination
“Worry is a misuse of the imagination.”
-Dan Zadra, Founder/Editorial Director of Compendium, Inc.
Image from WDWlive
IMAGINATION is a pavilion on the western side of Epcot’s “Future World.”
At one time, a playful purple dragon named Figment was the IMAGINATION host, taking visitors on a happy and whimsical ride.
What if there were a “Worry Pavilion”? What would you name the host character? What might the ride through that pavilion entail? Unfortunately, many of us take a ride through the Worry Pavilion every day, living lives that are anything but whimsical.
EXERCISE:
How can and will you channel your imagination muscle to have a far more joyful ride?
Still Say No
“You can be a good person with a kind heart and still say NO.”
-Author Unknown
image from drdavidgeier.com
‘NO’ is one of the most important and powerful words in our language. At home and at work, we use it to protect ourselves, and to stand up for the things and people that truly matter to us.
The word ‘NO,’ used incorrectly, can also destroy what we value the most, by alienating and angering people.
In his book “The Power of a Positive NO,” William Ury—a top Harvard Professor—shares his secret to saying ‘NO’ without destroying our most important and valued relationships.
EXERCISE:
In addition to purchasing his book, please check out Professor Ury’s TED talk about the walk from ‘NO’ to ‘YES.’
when you connect with people
“When you connect with people from the core, you learn a whole lot more.”
-Author Unknown
Image from JumpCloud
Relationships and connecting with others are among the most valuable skills any of us can have. Books, blogs, podcasts, seminars, and other resources on this subject abound, yet most of us fall short of the level of excellence and mastery we desire.
Today’s quote points to the importance of experiencing one another at a far deeper level than many of us are willing to go. We’re afraid because of the level of openness and vulnerability inherent in the depths those relationships require.
EXERCISE:
How can and will you be more courageous to express your core beliefs, values, and emotions to deepen your most valued relationships?
minds full of mystery
“Human minds are more full of mystery than any written book and more changeable than the cloud shapes in the air.”
-Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women
Image from Mind Motivations
Over the last few years, I have become increasingly interested in the power of our minds to influence our lives.
I recently recommitted to the practice of meditation, to more fully appreciate the mysteries and changeability of my mind.
In my initial efforts to meditate—years ago—I believed that I was doing it wrong, because of the adventures my mind would take during a ten-minute guided or unguided journey. With the incorporation of an app called CALM, I have learned to be more patient with my mental misadventures, and to improve my capacity to be present to my inner and outer worlds.
EXERCISE:
Consider meditation or another form of mindfulness practice to help you masterfully shape and change the world around you. Read about the most popular apps in the Psychology Today article.
Action Review
FRIDAY REVIEW: ACTION
What does it mean to take action in your life? Here are a few action-related posts you may have missed. Click the links to read the full message.
“Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
“It is hard to fly when something is weighing you down.”
“A person’s actions will tell you everything you need to know.”
The Very Best Ideas
“The very best ideas can very often come from the quietest voice.”
-Sir Johnathan “Jony” Ive, Chief Design Officer of Apple Inc.
We are living in revolutionary times.
I am not referring to political, social or even global revolutionary activities.
Instead, I’d like you to consider that there is a revolution occurring in which the quiet voices and ideas of about one-half the world’s population—the introverts—are being heard for their insight and value.
Take a close look at yourself and those around you. Where do you/they fit on the introvert/extrovert spectrum? Pay particular attention to some of the quieter voices around you. What extraordinary ideas can you now discover, appreciate, and realize?
EXERCISE:
To dig deep into this concept, go to www.quietrev.com to see where you can more fully take advantage of the quiet revolution, based on the work of Susan Cain.
The secret to living well
“The secret to living well and longer is: eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure.”
-Tibetan Proverb
Image from The Queen of Small Things
Over the six year life of The Quotable Coach, we’ve shared hundreds of posts exploring the concept of living longer and happier lives.
This Tibetan proverb could replace all of them with its simple wisdom.
EXERCISE:
Put forth an extra effort to practice the following ideas:
- Pay particular attention to the portion sizes and the quality of the foods you eat. Consider reducing your servings to 2/3 or 1/2 what you normally take, just to see what happens over a period of time.
- Our sedentary lifestyle is killing us! Where and in what ways can you expand your level of physical activity in this new year?
- Milton Berle used to say that laughter was a mini-vacation. How can and will you bring more chuckles and belly laughs into your life?
- Where and with whom would an abundance of love and affection brighten your world?
The Day’s Resolutions
“I think in terms of the day’s resolutions, not the year’s.”
-Henry Moore, 20th Century British Sculptor and Artist
Image from cakewhiz.com
Why do we do it?
You know what I mean. Why do we make New Year’s Resolutions, knowing darn well that as much as 90% of them are abandoned by the end of February.
Perhaps it is because a year is a pretty long time, and it’s hard to set out on a journey whose goal is so far off. It almost guarantees that obstacle and barriers will slow us down or stop us completely.
Today’s quote is like the one about eating an elephant one bite at a time, or that every journey begins with a single step. Perhaps daily resolutions are the way to achieve what we deeply desire—one day at a time.
EXERCISE:
Where and on what priority issues would making 365 daily resolutions help you make 2017 your best year yet?
Be at war with your vices
“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”
-Benjamin Franklin, American Founding Father
Image from Quote of the Day
I like bargains and two-for-one sales. This quote is a three-for-one! In Ben Franklin’s time, the word “vices” perhaps meant “behaviors that do not better oneself or another.” Today, I suggest we consider them “bad habits” instead.
The idea of being a better person points to our ability to learn, grow, and improve as individuals.
Exercise:
What bad habits/vices will you declare war upon? In which relationships will you make a stand for peace? In what ways do you intend to be a better person in this new year?