“Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.”

Posted on by

“Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.”

– John W. Gardner, American educator and politician

Girl-with-crayons-quote-597

Photo from Flickr by Roseannadana

Think back to the last time you visited the home of a family with young children. You probably saw various pieces of artwork created by those young Rembrants, Picassos, and Monets around their home, especially on the kitchen fridge.

Children live their lives as free spirits and don’t seem to be all too concerned about how things look. As we age, this changes. We become far more aware of the judgments and opinions of others and we often find ourselves holding back our most authentic expressions of ourselves.

Exercise:

How would your professional or personal life look if you threw away all erasers, and simply leaped into each day to pursue your own journey of artistic living?

“There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem and a concerned person solves a problem.”

Posted on by

“There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem and a concerned person solves a problem.”

—Harold Stephens, American Author

595

Image from Flickr by Debs

Have you ever watched a mouse racing around one of those circular wheels, never getting anywhere? They run and run and always end up in the same place. Alternatively, think about running on a treadmill. We get all worked up and sweaty, but find ourselves in the same place.

Worry is like that. In this case, the treadmills are in our minds. Concern, on the other hand, seems to have more of a mobilizing quality that takes us out of our heads and off those treadmills so we can set out on a journey to an eventual solution.

Exercise:

Where would a shift from worry to concern mobilize your thoughts and actions toward a successful solution in some important professional or personal issue today?

 

“The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.”

Posted on by

“The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.”

– Vince Lombardi, American football coach

Image of a man standing on a mountain top

Image from Flickr by Matty Bishwam

When I think of mountain climbers, I think of people pursuing adventures and challenging themselves to achieve a new level of greatness or accomplishment.

Take a look at your own progress towards the summits of your professional and personal goals.

Exercise:

Are you getting where you want to go? Have your mountains recently been more like molehills?

What planning is required and what people or gear will you need to achieve the satisfaction of reaching the top of your most important life summits?

“Forever – is composed of nows.”

Posted on by

“Forever – is composed of nows.”

– Emily Dickinson, American poet

Honey

A few weeks ago, we had a new member of our family join us on our vacation in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania: my daughter’s 11-month-old puppy named Honey (see photo).

Our time together playing with our “grand-puppy” was the highlight of our week. Whenever we returned from one of our many adventures, meals, excursions, and activities, Honey was ready in each “now” moment to engage and delight us with her playful enthusiasm, energy, and loving nature.

Exercise:

If you happen to be lucky enough to have a pet you love dearly, take a bit of coaching from them regarding their uncanny ability to forever delight you and make your world a better place.

“Don’t ever promise more than you can deliver, but always deliver more than you promise.”

Posted on by

“Don’t ever promise more than you can deliver, but always deliver more than you promise.”

– Lou Holtz, American football coach

Late For WorkImage from Flickr by Photo Extremist.

What happens when we fall short on the things we promise others? How do you feel when the people in your professional and personal life show up late for meetings or appointments? What happens to your level of trust in these relationships?

How would the people in your life answer this question with regard to you?

Exercise:

What can you do today to be a person who over-delivers on their promises?

“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.”

Posted on by

“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.”

– George Santayana, philosopher and writer

592Image from Flickr by thekeithhall.

Consider the following phrases:

  • Thank God it’s Friday.
  • I can’t wait until I retire.
  • I’m dreading going back to work.
  • I’ll be happier when…
  • I hate the cold and snowy winters.
  • The summer is too hot and sticky.

Rarely are people completely happy with their current situation. If they are, it is often episodic and temporary, due to the fact that things are always changing.

The people who seem to be the happiest make the most of every situation they encounter. These people usually bring along a positive attitude and a sunny disposition.

Exercise:

How can you accept and make the most of every situation today, to bring a little more springtime wherever you go and whatever you do?

“A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy dare live.”

Posted on by

“A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy dare live.”

– Bertrand Russell, British philosopher

591Image from Flickr by Jamie In Bytown.

If you research happiness, you will discover that most people who describe frequent experience of it include numerous quiet and reflective situations in their lives.

These include meditation, prayer, walking in nature, reading, journaling, and some other forms of reflective writing.

Exercise:

Examine your current life volume and consider turning it down a bit. Look at taking several blocks of quiet time daily to recharge, rejuvenate, and renew yourself.

Feel free to reply to this message with any of your own quiet pursuits that bring you greater joy and happiness.

“Because of a great love, one is courageous.”

Posted on by

“Because of a great love, one is courageous.”

—Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism
590“Operating outside your comfort zone” is perhaps one of the most commonly used phrases in the coaching and professional development industries.

Unfortunately, the overuse of this concept means it sometimes sounds a bit trite, and it often gets overlooked or neglected due to its familiarity.

Today’s quote points to a primary reason why we decide to be courageous and stretch beyond our current state.

Exercise:

Examine the relationship of love and commitment as a source of courage in your professional and personal life. Notice where this courage mobilizes you to take the necessary risk to move outside your current self-imposed limitations.

For extra credit, consider emailing me (barry@dempcoaching.com) with some phrase you have heard, or used, as an alternative to “operating outside your comfort zone.”

For instance, I often use the question, “Where does your commitment supersede your comfort?”

Interview with Doug Gfeller, Part Four: Using Social Media to Build Your Online Presence

Posted on by

In this fourth and final excerpt (8 mins) from my interview with Doug Gfeller on The Coaching Perspective, we discuss:

  • My use of social media, and my tips on using it to build your online presence.
  • How “GIG” (the “Great Idea Group”) encouraged me to use technology more proactively and effectively.
  • How I use LinkedIn effectively, and why the premium version may well be worth investing in.
  • The importance of using social media in order to contribute. If people associate you with value, they’ll come back and want more.

Click “play” below to listen to this part of the interview:

You can listen to the full interview, and other interviews with me, on the Podcasts page of my coaching website.

“For once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will long to return.”

Posted on by

“For once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will long to return.”

– Leonardo da Vinci, Renaissance artist and inventor

588Image from Flickr by rafeejewell.

What are some times in your life where you were at the top of your game, where you excelled, or where, as Leonardo da Vinci would say, you “tasted flight”?

Coaching is a profession built on the idea of soaring and becoming our professional and personal best. Once we taste our potential, we have an even greater appetite to fly higher and further.

Exercise:

Choose two or three professional goals, and turn your eyes skyward as you seek opportunities to take flight in pursue of these goals.

Engaging the support of a coach, mentor, friend, family member, or colleague will help you fly higher and faster than if you traveled alone.