“It was only a sunny smile and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light, it scattered the night and made the day worth living.”

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“It was only a sunny smile and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light, it scattered the night and made the day worth living.”

– F. Scott Fitzgerald, American author

447Image from Flickr by rkramer62.

Winter here in Michigan began about a month ago, and along with some of the coldest temperatures in the area due to the Arctic vortex effect, we are experiencing days with the least amount of daylight of the entire year.

A reasonable number of people are affected to some degree in their mood and outlook by the lack of daylight. Some experience a syndrome called Seasonal Affective Disorder that can cause low energy, moodiness and even depression. You can find out more about this here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_affective_disorder

Exercise:

Each time you offer or receive a low-cost smile today, think of it as a form of light therapy to help you and others “spring forward” – just as if you were beginning your own personal daylight saving time.

“No plan is worth the paper it is printed on unless it starts you doing something.”

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“No plan is worth the paper it is printed on unless it starts you doing something.”

—William Danforth, co-founder of the American Youth Federation

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Image from Flickr by orangeacid

January is one of the busiest times for coaches, when both individuals and organizations crystallize and clarify their goals and plans for the new year. Of course, we have all seen these intentions and plans lose their steam and sit on the shelf to eventually await the next planning cycle, when we do it all over again.When asked, a very significant percentage of professionals would describe the planning process as “unremarkable” and “not particularly worthwhile” – primarily due to the lack of ongoing review and rigorous execution.

Exercise:

Seek out the help of your own individual or organizational coaches to make sure that this year, your plans are worth their weight in gold.

If you do not yet have a coach, you may want to take a look at the services I offer, to see whether I would be a good fit for you:

www.dempcoaching.com/professional-services

You stand between whatever binds you to your past

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 “You stand between whatever binds you to your past and whatever might be unbounded in your future.”

– Seamus Heaney, Irish poet and playwright

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Image from Flickr by macinate

The beginning of the New Year is a poignant time for most people. It is, as Heaney suggests, a form of boundary between the previous year and the year ahead. Taking stock of the past can be a useful exercise to discover lessons learned, mistakes not to repeat, and places where you have succeeded, where you have considerable momentum to carry you forward.

Exploring the possibilities of an unbounded future in the various domains of your life can be very energizing and exciting. Tap into your courage, boldness, passion and values to make this future come true.

Exercise:

Select a coach, mentor, friend, family member or colleague to talk to about the unbounded possibilities of your future. Buy them a cup of coffee – or better yet, take them out for a meal. This is not an exercise you want to rush.

For extra credit, consider meeting with this person at least once a month to explore your efforts and progress throughout the year.

“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”

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“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”

– L.M. Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables

444Image from Flickr by Ingrid Truemper

How do you find a kindred spirit? It might appear difficult if you believe that things of the spirit world are invisible.Consider the scientific corollary of the electromagnetic spectrum of light. Even the visible spectrum of light is invisible without a prism to show us the beautiful colors within. Perhaps we as human-beings each have a “rainbow-making” capacity to help us reveal these kindred spirits.

Exercise:

Imagine you are a radio transmitter that can deliver into the world your invisible signal powered by your vision, value, beliefs and passions. People who can pick up these signals without static and from considerable distances are your kindred spirits.

It just happens that you are also a radio receiver with the power to tune in and receive the signals sent by others.

Montgomery is suggesting here that if we are very intentional about our transmitting and receiving, we will be surprised by just how kindred the human spirit really is.

“The greatest story you will ever tell is your own.”

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“The greatest story you will ever tell is your own.”

– Charlie Rose, American broadcast journalist443Image from Flickr by visual.dichotomy

A few years ago, my family started a new tradition of taking one day over the holidays as a “movie marathon day” where we all see the top movies back-to-back from early morning until midnight.

This year it was five in a row, but in previous years some of the gang saw as many as six or seven. We all love to be carried away by the drama, romance and humor of these wonderful stories.

Exercise:

During January, please take about 15- 30 minutes to do a “year in review” to identify the signature stories that would make up your highlight reel of 2013.

Take another 15 – 30 minutes to script out your coming attractions for the year ahead, doing your best to make sure it would be nominated for your best year ever.

“Try brushing your teeth tonight with your other hand.”

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“Try brushing your teeth tonight with your other hand.”

– Ken Burns, documentary filmmaker

442Image from Flickr by pdpics.com

My family recently spent the holidays near Madison, Wisconsin with both of our children and their new spouses. Navigating the roads in this area was a new experience, even with GPS. My sense of direction was off for most of the visit.

It is estimated that about 90% of all of our behaviors are based on our habits and even the small act of brushing our teeth with the opposite hand can feel quite awkward.
The opportunity to see new sights and have many varied and different experiences during our vacation was definitely worth this awkward feeling.

Exercise:

What are some of the small and perhaps large changes you plan to make this year that will have you see wonderful new sights and experience memorable opportunities ahead?

Teaching is instinctual art

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“Teaching is an instinctual art, mindful of potential, craving of realization, a pausing, seamless process.”

A. Bartlett Giamatti, former president of Yale University

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We have all heard the quote “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”Think for a moment about the times when this quote has been most apparent in your own life. How often were you the student? How often were you the teacher?

Exercise:

Consider how we are always experiencing being both the student and the teacher in a seamless tapestry of continuous learning.

In the year ahead, how will you be the student and the teacher in your life and in the lives of others, to fully pursue the boundless possibilities and potential in yourself and in those around you?

Growth and comfort seldom ride the same horse

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“Growth and comfort seldom ride the same horse.”

—Author Unknown

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Image from Flickr by Montgomery County Planning Commission

When I was a small boy, I went to a carnival where I had the opportunity to ride a pony.  The initial aspect of walking in a circle at a slow pace was enjoyable – however, I found that my bottom got a bit of a jolt when we worked our way up to a trot!

At the start of a new year, very few of us wish to kick things off at a walking pace. Our goals are far more ambitious – and we must gallop forward to reach them with urgency.

Today’s quote suggests that we be prepared for a rough and sometimes bumpy ride to reach our destination before the setting sun.

Exercise:

Identify between two and three primary goals you have for 2014 where you are fully prepared for the possibility of a rough ride.

Share these goals with a coach, mentor, colleague or family member who will support your efforts to reach your destination.

“Look at everything as though you are seeing it for the first time, with the eyes of a child, fresh with wonder.”

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“Look at everything as though you are seeing it for the first time, with the eyes of a child, fresh with wonder.”

– Joseph Cornell, artist and sculptor

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Image from Flickr by a_whisper_of_unremitting_demand
I just returned from my morning workout at my local fitness center. Guess what I found?  You’re right – lots of new faces intending to start off the new year with a renewed commitment to their fitness and well being.

The annual New Year celebration in Times Square often includes an aging Father Time and a newborn representing the year ahead.

Take Cornell’s coaching here and begin by looking at all things in the light of wonder and possibility, to make this your best year ever.

Exercise:

Look at your current vocation, avocations, relationships, habits and even your food choices, and explore tasting and experiencing all of these with a fresh new perspective.

Consider replying to let me know what actions you take and what happens.

“No-one would ever have crossed the ocean if he could have gotten off the ship in the storm.”

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“No-one would ever have crossed the ocean if he could have gotten off the ship in the storm.”

—Charles Kettering, former head of research at General Motors

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Image from Flickr by ErgSap

Virtually no-one I’ve ever met has had a life of smooth sailing. Just think about the life storms that you’ve faced over the years. If you are reading this post, you must have weathered things reasonably well.

Consider life’s challenges as tests to you, as a sailor of life’s seas, to cross your own personal and professional oceans. If you get off the ship too early, you have literally missed the ride of your life!

Exercise:

Select at least one personal and one professional ocean you intend to navigate in the year ahead. What preparations can you make for stormy weather?