There are many paths to the same destination

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There are many paths to the same destination. When one path is blocked, we simply choose another. How many WAZE are available to you at this moment?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

The other day I needed to drive from my home outside Philadelphia into the center city district during rush hour. Knowing this, I opened the WAZE app to determine when I needed to leave to provide me a safe margin of time to keep my white-knuckle stress to a minimum.

Although the bee-line distance was only around 25 miles, the time and turns it took was mind boggling.

In all my years, I had never seen the streets and neighborhoods that eventually took us to our destination.

EXERCISE:

How do you navigate your various paths through life when faced with roadblocks and detours?

What strategies do you use to reach your destinations when your usual routes are not available?

Friday Review: Value

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Friday Review: Value

What do you value most in your life? How do you determine value? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“You cannot talk your way out of something you behaved yourself into.”

 

 

 

“Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.”

 

 

 

 

“We are drowning in information and starving for knowledge.”

 

 

 

 

 

Who are the people who make you think and laugh

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“Who are the people who make you think and laugh? Be the person who takes the initiative and reach out to them.”

—Michael Bungay Stainer discussion with Chip Conley

Image from Unsplash by Surface

I believe the quality of our lives is highly correlated with what we do and those with whom we do them.

For most of us, it is often difficult spending all the time we wish with our favorite people.

We trade our valuable time for other priorities, and often must compromise and settle.

EXERCISE:

How often do you take the initiative to reach out and stay connected to the special people who make you smile and keep you on your toes?

How can you let these people know how important they are so they can also take the initiative to pull you away from people and things not meant for you?

“I’m hungry to find people who are hungry.”

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“I’m hungry to find people who are hungry.”

—Michael Bungay Stainer, author of The Coaching Habit

Image from Unsplash by Maddi Bazzocco

Going out to eat is a primary pastime during our winter months in Florida.

My preference is to experiment with a wide variety of restaurants and types of food to keep things interesting.

One of my favorite places to go for lunch is an Asian buffet called Chow Time.

Our good friend Mitch has a robust appetite for both food and stimulating conversation. It’s nice to have our hunger satisfied beyond the many items being served over the numerous hours we spend in each other’s company!

EXERCISE:

Who are the people in your life that feed your mind and nourish your soul?

How can you spend more time with these special people — perhaps over a delicious meal?

A worthy goal can be intimate

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“A worthy goal can be intimate. Choose the scale that suits you and feel your way into the journey.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Ronnie Overgoor

How do you feel about goal setting?

Do you have multi-page documents on hand with spreadsheets, timelines, and milestones? Or do you avoid such details altogether?

Many people see goals from a “go big or go home” perspective. If it doesn’t make a big enough dent in the universe, it’s not worthwhile.

Although Nobel prizes are nice, it is far more empowering for the rest of us to set our sights on more modest and more personally meaningful targets.

Sometimes even having a general direction for our journeys and putting forth our best efforts is more than enough.

EXERCISE:

What are some of the worthy goals you have been reluctant to pursue?

How can you realize the satisfaction of pursuing your intimate desires without having to tell the whole world?

Being on autopilot can be useful in many situations

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Being on autopilot can be useful in many situations. On other occasions, it is necessary to grab the wheel of your life and do your own driving.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Orkun Asap

What are your thoughts and feelings regarding self-driving cars?

In the last few years, a number of our friends have purchased electric vehicles.

With longer driving ranges, faster and more convenient charging options, and other cool and useful features, more and more folks are making the switch.

Each of these individuals is more than happy to drive when we get together to show off a bit of their new tech.  Among the latest functionalities to get from point A to point B is a hands and foot free option that does all the work for you.

Fortunately, these autonomous driving segments still requires a level of hands-on attention where only an actual person will do.

EXERCISE:

In what areas of your world have you turned the driving over to someone or something else?

Where is the timing right to grab back the wheel and take greater control of where things are headed?

 

“The gravity of the status quo is so strong.”

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“The gravity of the status quo is so strong.”

—From a webinar with Michael Bungay Stainer and Chip Conley

Image from Unsplash by Mark König

Tidal Locking is a term used in astronomy where a planet or moon does not rotate on its own axis as it travels around a star or planet. Two examples of tidal locking are the moon that circles our earth and Mercury as it circles the Sun.

In both cases these celestial bodies only show one side of themselves to the objects they orbit.

Where in your life are you tidally locked to the status quo?

In what ways are you traveling around the world, operating in the same ways, showing the same face in all your interactions?

EXERCISE:

What steps can you take to diminish the gravitational pull of the status quo?

What patterns can you break to have new worlds emerge in your life?

“Can you stay curious a little bit longer?”

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“Can you stay curious a little bit longer?”

—Michael Bungay Stainer, author of The Coaching Habit

Image from Amazon

Michael Bungay Stainer is one of the top coaches in the world. His best-selling book The Coaching Habit is among the most widely read books on the subject today with over 15,000 4- and 5-star reviews on Amazon.

When asked during a recent webinar with Chip Conely of the Modern Elder Academy for some of his very favorite questions he mentioned today’s quote.

As someone deeply committed to the growth and development of others, he points to personal inquiry and staying curious as key catalysts for realizing far more of our potential.

EXERCISE:

Consider tapping into your own inner coach by reading The Coaching Habit to see how this skill can be applied in your communities. Please also explore some of Michael’s other books including…

How to Work with (Almost) Anyone
How to Begin
The Advice Trap
Do More Great Work

When you talk with other people, raise the conversation just a little higher

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“When you talk with other people, raise the conversation just a little higher.”

—Tzvi Freeman, Canadian Rabbi and author

Image from Unsplash by Priscilla Du Preez

A Brief History of the Future is a unique six-part PBS documentary series about our futures and how we can re-imagine them, hosted by renowned futurist Ari Wallach.

The series invites viewers on a journey around the world that is filled with discovery, hope, and possibility about where we find ourselves today — and what could come next.

It challenges us and the dystopian framework embraced by popular culture by offering a refreshing and uplifting take on the future.

EXERCISE:

Please watch this series and join the wide range of thinkers, scientists, developers, and storytellers with your own uplifting and positive vision of what’s possible for our future.