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?

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.