Find Good Support

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“Don’t wait for someone to take you under their wing. Find a good wing and climb up underneath it.”

—Frank C. Bucard, Author of The Trust Puzzle

Image from Flickr by Savannah Sam Photography

Image from Flickr by Savannah Sam Photography

We all need help if we are to fly high and far.

Think back to the recent Olympics in Brazil, and consider the social supports in place for each athlete. Beyond their coaches, there were friends, family, mentors, and sports psychologists directing their efforts toward personal excellence.

In the event you do not have your own team of supportive individuals lined up to encourage and uphold you, begin today to seek them out, and choose the very best. With a champion’s spirit and effort, both you and those with “good wings” will benefit greatly.

EXERCISE:

Once your “A” team of supportive individuals are on board, take the initiative to spread your own wings for others to climb underneath.

you are what you eat

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“You are What you Eat.”

Image from eslforeveryone.com

Image from eslforeveryone.com

Most health and fitness experts would agree with the truth of today’s quote. Who would want to live their life as a baloney sandwich? Or a deep-fried Twinkie?

Based on my research, here are the foods that should be on everyone’s shopping list:

Spinach Beets Watermelon
Berries Sweet Potatoes Grapefruit
Salmon Tomatoes Asparagus
Avacado Kale Kelp
Quinoa Beans & Lentils Cabbage
Broccoli Cantalope Eggs
Almonds Artichokes Chia Seeds
Bananas Lemons Dark Chocolate
Nuts & Seeds Garlic Cauliflower
Mushrooms Coconut Watercress
Wild Rice Honey Maple Syrup

EXERCISE:

Consider going on a food safari to bring more of these life-enhancing foods into your kitchen. Even small adjustments to this part of your lifestyle can make a big difference.

 

Friday Review Learning

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FRIDAY REVIEW: LEARNING

Are you learning something new or better every day? Here are a few learning-related posts you may have missed. Click on the link to read the full message.

QC #1110a

 

“To teach is to learn twice.”

 

 

 

QC #1110b

 

“Education is not something to prepare you for life; it is a continuous part of life.”

 

 

QC #1110c

 

“Don’t think of it as failure. Think of it as time-released success.”

 

 

 

Don’t belittle yourself

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“Don’t belittle yourself. Be-Big yourself.”

—Corita Kent, American Catholic Nun

Image from fineartamerica.com

Image from fineartamerica.com

There is, perhaps, no greater destructive force in relationships than that of belittling and diminishing others. Eleanor Roosevelt gave us a bit of coaching with her famous quote, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Today’s quote points to the not always recognized inner critic and the things we say about ourselves. How often do you chastise, berate, belittle, and judge yourself, personally or professionally?

EXERCISE:

What alternative “Be-Bigging” messages can you use now and in the future to build, empower, and support your own self-confidence and self-worth?

Consider enlisting the help and coaching of others when you aren’t aware of these often hidden attempts to bring yourself down.

To Be Outstanding

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“To be outstanding, get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

—Alrik Koudenburg, Executive Creative Director at Rapt Studio

Image from Flickr by Vic

Image from Flickr by Vic

I have always been a big fan of Oprah Winfrey. Before, during, and after her highly successful television show, she fully demonstrated a passion for excellence in her own life.

During one particular episode about health and fitness, she described her own battle with weight. She viewed the occasional growling of her stomach and the slight feeling of emptiness as a sign of her commitment to eating less than was normally comfortable.

This discomfort was a demonstration of her commitment, which empowered her to continue her efforts to live a healthier life.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you embrace various levels of discomfort in your life, as a sign of progress toward one or more of your most deeply desired goals?

Never hope for it more than you work for it

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“Never hope for it more than you work for it.”

—Sonya Teclai, Musical Artist

Image from providinghopenj.org

Image from providinghopenj.org

Though hope may seem like a soft concept, it has hard edges and bottom line implications in the world of professional and personal achievement. Shane Lopez Ph.D., a professor at The University of Kansas School of Business, and a Gallup Senior Scientist, points to the following “Bottom Line” benefits of hope:

    • Hope is the basis of all positive change.
    • Hopefulness can be learned and taught.
    • Hope is different from wishing due to its active quality. Wishing is passive and undermines the chances of success.
    • People work harder, and greater resources are put behind hopeful endeavors.
    • Hopeful organizational cultures dramatically enhance employee engagement and productivity.

EXERCISE:

What are the personal or professional projects you are working on that require a booster shot of hope to help them become realized?

Consider checking out Shane Lopez’s Book Making Hope Happen if you would like to learn more.

Find the Gold

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“Anyone can find the dirt in someone. Be the one that finds the gold.”

-author unknown

Image from Flickr by CameliaTWU

Image from Flickr by CameliaTWU

The world came together in Rio for two weeks earlier this month, to marvel at and celebrate the performance of 10,500 athletes from over 200 countries.

I particularly enjoy the back stories of these remarkable people. How they came to pursue their dream of becoming an Olympian, regardless of whether they make it to the podium, is often inspiring.

With the 2016 Olympics now behind us, how many of us will fall back into the undesirable habit of looking for the dirt in one another? This is a habit that undermines the fabric of the caring relationships and close-working communities we all desire.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you permanently retain and maintain the “Midas Touch” to continuously find the gold in the people in your professional and personal worlds?

Friday Review Risk

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FRIDAY REVIEW: RISK

Are you a risk-taker or a risk-avoider?  Here are a few risk-related posts you may have missed. Click on the link to read the full message.

 

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

 

 

QC #1105b

 

“The world will never discover a person who is hiding in the crowd.”

 

 

 

QC #1105c

 

“Those who will not take a chance seldom have one thrust upon them.”

 

 

 

 

discover greatness within

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“We discover greatness within once we learn to cultivate and celebrate it in others.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image from lenramsay.com

Image from lenramsay.com

Being a coach is an extraordinarily rewarding profession. Each day I have the opportunity to encourage and support the greatness of others, personally and professionally.

I find helping those I work with do the same in their communities a tremendously satisfying way of living and working.

As more members of our communities operate this way, we generate a “coaching culture” in which individuals  and organizations thrive.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you more fully experience your own greatness through the generous and passionate support of others in your worlds?

Feel free to reach out to me directly if you would like some assistance in this effort.