put them to mending

Posted on May 18, 2016 by Barry

“Happy are they that can hear their detractions and put them to mending.”

—William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing

Image from biography.com

Shakespeare must have been one heck of a coach!

The nugget of wisdom in today’s quote is an excellent example of what we today call 360° Feedback.

Shakespeare understood that people who are open and receptive to input from others—even when the feedback is perceived as negative or detracting—are happier and more successful.

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom would greater openness to both positive and negative feedback be put to good use in your personal or professional growth strategy?

Be the flame

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Barry

“Be the flame, not the moth.”

—Giacomo Casanova, 18th Century Italian Writer / Adventurer

Image from Lthomason.wordpress.com

The term Casanova is synonymous with a man who attracts and seduces women, which of course, is not the purpose of today’s post!

My focus is on our attraction—and perhaps a bit of seduction—to and by the thoughts and ideas we come across as we go through our day.

It has become increasingly difficult, in our over-communicative world, to build a fire big enough, lasting long enough, to attract those we wish to engage in our efforts and enterprises.

In my former life as a science teacher, I showed my students how a single flame can change color based on adding chemical elements to the solution in the jar. When copper burns, for example, the flame is green. Sodium turns the flame bright yellow.

EXERCISE:

How can you add your unique elements into your flame to attract even more interest in what you have to offer the world?

cause, not applause

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Barry

“Work for a cause, not for applause.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Flickr by Jody FaFerriere

I’ve been interested in what motivates people since I was a boy. In my youth, I washed cars, mowed lawns, and shoveled snow—all to earn a buck and purchase things I desired. The Thank You’s I received for a job well done also meant a lot, especially when they were heartfelt.

As I grew and continued to investigate what motivated me and others, it was clear that applause or extrinsic factors still have a hold on many of us. At the same time, the intrinsic aspects of a passionate purpose seem to take things to greater levels of fulfillment and life satisfaction.

EXERCISE:

Examine your own levels of sustainable satisfaction and fulfillment when you work for a cause. How can you capture the best of both motivators?

Friday Review: Change

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Barry

Friday Review: Change

One thing we know for sure: Change is inevitable. Here are a few change-related posts you may have missed. Click on the Quote to read the full message:

“If you wanna make the world a better place…”

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

“You can’t start the next chapter if you keep re-reading the last one.”

To Profit from Good Advice

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Barry

“To profit from good advice requires more wisdom than to give it.”

—John Churton Collins, Literary Critic

Image from tanveernasser.com

I put significant focus on an individual’s self-awareness when I begin a new coaching engagement. To do this, I introduce an “inner voice” exercise, in which the person pays close attention to:

What their inner voice is saying,
Determining if this voice is supportive or critical,
Determining how open and receptive they are to the thoughts of others.

Most people discover that when they look for the value and contribution in what others say, they reap greater rewards and boost their relationships.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you shift your own “inner voice” to receive more good advice and wisdom from others?

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?