Plan A Doesn’t Work

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Barry

“If Plan A doesn’t work, the alphabet has 25 more letters—204, if you are in Japan.”

—Claire Cook, American Writer and Speaker

Image from kiameshaglobal.com

A friend and business colleague named Joel recently popped into my office to say hello. He, like many people I know, is a time-crunched business owner finding himself working too much in his business rather than taking it to a new level by working on his business.

He shared that he likes to have at least one new big idea to implement each year. This helps him keep things fresh, remain highly relevant in the marketplace, and provide even greater value to his clients.

EXERCISE:

How and where can you allocate 10-15% of your time to brainstorming new and better ways to run your business and live a better life? Imagine having 25—or 204—options from which to choose!

See Their Magic

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Barry

“To love a person is to see all of their magic and to remind them of it when they have forgotten.”

— Author Unknown

Image from Flickr by Linus Bohman

As part of my signature Personal Excellence Training, I spend an entire day with my client, getting to know them well and fully understanding their vision, values, and goals. This investment of time creates a special partnership called coaching, in which, over time, the magic of each individual is discovered and enhanced.

Throughout this coaching journey, most people experience setbacks and doubts about themselves, and their capacity to achieve their most cherished goals. We all need a committed and loving supporter to remind us of our magic when difficult times cause us to forget.

EXERCISE:

How can you demonstrate your love and caring for others by seeing their magic and reminding them of it when they forget?

Who are the caring people in your personal or professional worlds who could play this role for you?

The Smile You Gave Me

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Barry

“By the way, I’m wearing the smile you gave me.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Flickr by ssofija

I must be watching too much TV news! The majority of what I see is negative and destructive, particularly in the political arena. Apparently, it is as contagious as the flu or a bad cold; I see many people coming down with this unfortunate disease.

There is a cure to which we can all subscribe, one on which it is impossible to overdose!

You probably guessed it…

The cure is positivity, and the many forms it takes in bringing smiles to faces, and dramatically lightening the heavy loads many of us carry. It is a kind hello, remembering someone’s name, holding a door, or being helpful in some other way.

We could all use a big dose of positivity these days.

EXERCISE:

Please consider replying to this post with your own examples of the sure bet, smile-generating strategies you share with those you support personally and professionally.

Friday Review: Values

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Barry

Friday Review: Values

What are the values on which you base your choices in life? Here are a few value-related posts you may have missed. Click on the Quote to read the full message:

“Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.”

“Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”

“It’s always worthwhile to make others aware of their worth.”

Sitting on a pin

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Barry

“Getting an idea should be like sitting on a pin; it should make you jump up and do something.”

—E.L. Simpson

Image from theconversation.com

Have you ever tried on a new article of clothing in which you mistakenly left a pin? I bet that got your attention, and provoked you into removing it immediately! Only a few things get such a dramatic response, mobilizing us to an immediate reaction, such as touching a hot stove, or being stung by a bee.

What if we gave our best ideas the same “jump up and get going” power? What greater level of productivity and accomplishment would be possible?

EXERCISE:

Select the sharpest idea you have been sitting on, and let it provoke your most committed action within the next minute, hour, day, or week.

What would be possible if you made this exercise a daily habit?

Climate vs Weather

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Barry

“Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.”

—Mark Twain, American Author and Humorist

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A few months ago I had a wonderful family vacation in the San Diego area, purported to have one of the best climates in the world. We spent a rainy evening with a few of my son-in-law’s friends, who were a bit upset with the weather. Coming from Michigan, we were more than OK with a bit of cool temperatures and precipitation.

EXERCISE:

How can greater awareness and perspective regarding your professional and personal expectations help you embrace whatever the weather brings into your world?

How Tall Are You

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Barry

“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?”

—Author Unknown

Image from leifnorman.net

Remember when you were little and your mom or dad would draw lines on the door frame to show how much you grew from year to year? We all lined up proudly with our backs to the wall, often stretching for that extra centimeter!

As adults, we rarely measure our height except when we visit the doctor, or at some point when the numbers begin to go down. My 89-year-old father, Marvin, used to say he was 5’6” and 7/8 inches tall. Today he is 5’4”.

EXERCISE:

Where can you stretch today, personally or professionally, to determine just how tall, great, or capable you really are?

A Leader is one

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Barry

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

-John Maxwell, American author on Leadership

Image from johnmaxwell.podbean.com

I am a big fan of John Maxwell. Over the years, I have read many of his books, and even subscribe to his “Daily Minute with Maxwell” video series, in which he shares his wisdom with tens of thousands around the world.

In a recent video post, he shared today’s quote, a nugget of wisdom which captures three critical attributes of quality leaders.

Leaders:

Have extensive experience and have learned over the years what works and what doesn’t.
Have courage, and demonstrate this through committed action. They walk their talk.
Share and show others in their world how they, too, can pursue their own journey. They pay their life lessons forward through mentoring, teaching, and coaching.

EXERCISE:

How can you more fully know the way, go the way, and show the way to others in your personal and professional communities?

Who plays this valuable role for you? Remember to thank them today!

Friday Review: ACTION

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Barry

Do you take action every day in your personal life or business, or are you a procrastinator? Here are a few action-related posts you may have missed. Click on the Quote to read the full message:

“You cannot dream yourself into a character…”

“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.”

“When nothing goes right, go left.”

Leadership is the Bridge

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Barry

“A life is what we live, a legacy is what we leave, and leadership is the bridge.”

-Jay Goff, Coach, Speaker, Trainer

“The Mighty Mac” Image from Flickr by C. Hanchey

When I Googled the word “Leadership,” 750 million hits came up. Clearly, a lot of folks around the world—including Jay Goff—see great value in this important skill.

When we simplify this widely studied and examined quality, we can agree that it must include speaking about and engendering a desired future in others. The great news today’s quote suggests is that we can all use this bridge to leave a legacy and a lasting difference as we live each day.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you develop and expand your own leadership abilities to create a more extraordinary life, and leave the personal and professional legacy you desire?