“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?

The Importance of Relationships in Your Professional Life, and How to Build Them [audio]

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This is an excerpt from my appearance on BlogTalkRadio’s show On the Dean’s List, with host Dean la Douceur.

In this five minute clip, we discuss:

  • How relationships create opportunities and entry points.
  • Sending hand-written letters and thank-you notes – and why this is so powerful.
  • The amount of choice we have today – and how we make choices between different professionals and service providers.
  • The importance of contributing to your community and helping other people.

Simply click below to play the audio file.

[audio:http://www.dempcoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Barry-Demp-Deans-List-2.mp3|titles=Barry Demp, “On the Dean’s List”]

If you’d like to hear the whole of my interview with Dean la Douceur (37 minutes), please click here to visit the Podcasts page on my Barry Demp Coaching site. You can listen to it online or download it.

“The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much.”

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“The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much.”

– Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish writer

437Image from Flickr by gagilas

It is a Saturday morning following the Christmas and New Year holiday and I am reflecting fondly on the memory of the time I’ve just spent with those closest to me. I am feeling a wonderful sense of success because we all lived well, laughed often, and loved much during this time.

Exercise:

My challenge to you (and myself as well) is to plan to live more successfully based on Stevenson’s criteria – throughout the year, not just during those infrequent “special episode” holidays and gatherings.

Please reply to this message and let me know some of the ways you plan to experience greater success in the future through living well, laughing often and loving much.

“Leave a little behind.”

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“Leave a little behind.”

—Dr. Cornel West, philosopher and academic

Image from Unsplash by Elaine Casap

Over the Thanksgiving and holiday season, it is common to bring a dish to share if you are invited to someone’s home. This custom of sharing our food is practiced in many cultures and provides for greater connection and community.

Leaving a little bit of the dish with the host is customary, if it’s not all consumed over the course of the meal.

Exercise:

In what other areas of life is the idea of “leaving a little behind” not only an act of generosity but a way of creating a small legacy for those you care for and serve?

Please consider replying to me with any thoughts you may have on the subject.

“For fast acting relief, try slowing down.”

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“For fast acting relief, try slowing down.”

– Lily Tomlin, actress and comedian

When I was young, I remember a corny television commercial for Alka-Seltzer. The little jingle that promoted it was “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is!” Catchy, huh?

During the holiday season – or perhaps whenever you wish a bit of relief from the onslaught of life – Tomlin suggests that slowing down may be just the medicine to do the trick.

Exercise:

In what areas of your life do you need to take your foot off the gas and apply the break to experience the relief that you desire?

Who are the coaches, mentors, friends and family members that can help you throttle back?