“The merit of originality is not novelty; it is sincerity.”

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“The merit of originality is not novelty; it is sincerity.”

– Thomas Carlyle, Scottish philosopher and writer

One of the cornerstones to the value of coaching is the stickiness or sustainability of success that it provides.

An example of stickiness can be found in brand loyalty, to specific products and services that have stood the test of time.

Think about your own loyalty to specific brands, even when faced with the onslaught of novel and often catchy campaigns attempting to lure you away from these sincere and enduring relationships. To borrow a phrase used by one of the most successful brands in the world, we are looking for “the real thing.”

Exercise:

Take a few quiet moments over a weekend to write out your own original vision statement, based on your most sincerely held beliefs and values.

Consider doing this exercise with close friends or family members, to embrace the mutual merits of each person’s originality.

For example, my Life Vision is a healthy, peaceful, beautiful world of extraordinary relationships, great accomplishments, and integrity; an exciting world of respect, dignity, leadership, courage, and honor, where all people generously and passionately contribute their best to one another.

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.”

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“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.”

– Plutarch, Greek historian, biographer and essayist

In his book Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell shares his unique perspective and findings in the areas of what makes people successful. Surprisingly, there appears to be no significant correlation between high intelligence (even genius) and long term success. Once someone reaches an IQ of around 120, having additional IQ points doesn’t seem to translate into a measurable real-world advantage.

I’d like to suggest that once the mind is filled sufficiently, it triggers some reaction to mobilize one’s heart and spirit to pursue a passionate quest for one’s path through life.

Exercise:

Explore your daily activities to see what experiences, people, and yes, knowledge and wisdom, light your fires of life.

Consider making more time for these by stopping what you can in order to make room for them.

“Genius is no more than childhood recaptured at will.”

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“Genius is no more than childhood recaptured at will.”

– Charles Baudelaire, French poet and translator

I just did a Google search for the top ten most influential people of all time. Guess who was number one on this list: Jesus. Others included Muhammad, Gandhi, Buddha, Confucius, and of course, Einstein.

In the book Jesus CEO (written in 1992), Lauri Beth Jones identifies over 80 key characteristics of how Jesus lived his life. One quality I particularly like was his ability to be playful and share his sense of humor, spontaneity, and joy. His genius helped others lower their defenses and flock to be with him.

Exercise:

I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of Jones’ book and review at least one of Jesus’ qualities each day.

Each section will only take about 3 minutes to read but may take quite a bit longer to reflect and act upon. I assure you, it will be worth it.

“The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest.”

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“The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest.”

—Author Unknown

Recently, I have been working with my friend and personal organizer Lisa, to help remove some clutter from my home. It is amazing the happiness I experience to see my junk drawers open easily and to enter my closet where I have only the clothing that fits me. Donating those items I was not using felt pretty good too.

When I saw this quote, it made me think of the mental and emotional clutter we often carry around with us – and how this area can often benefit from a bit of a makeover.

Exercise:

Consider picking up a copy of The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, where she describes her year-long journey using a wide variety of strategies to become happier.

observation and reflection

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“It’s on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way.”

– Claude Monet, French impressionist painter

Image of Monet Water Lillies painting

Image from The Metropolitan Museum of Art

This past summer, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and saw some of Monet’s work. It is said that he rejected traditional approaches to landscape painting and instead of copying old masters, began learning from nature itself. He particularly took note of variations of color and light caused by daily or seasonal changes.

Exercise:

How can you find your own way to live your life and pursue your goals on your own strength of observation and reflection?

Consider checking out Daniel Pink’s A Whole New Mind, published in 2005, to exercise your right brain in what’s still a pretty left-brained world.

“The great secret of success is to go through life as a man who never gets used up.”

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“The great secret of success is to go through life as a man who never gets used up.”

– Albert Schweitzer, Nobel Peace Prize winner

Albert Schweitzer was born in Germany in 1875. In his life of 90 years, he had many occupations, including philosopher, scholar, doctor, musician, missionary, preacher, theologian, and journalist. Some of his primary life objectives included the brotherhood of nations and helping solve the world’s problems.

In 1952, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his philosophy of “Reverence for Life.”

Exercise:

Imagine you have just been honored with your own Nobel Prize for your contribution to your professional and personal worlds. What would you like your success legacy to include?

“Try to be like the turtle – at ease in your own shell.”

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“Try to be like the turtle – at ease in your own shell.”

– Bill Copeland, Australian athlete

Turtles and tortoises are interesting creatures. Below are a few facts:
1. They actually make a sound, even though they do not have vocal chords.
2. Tortoises orbited the moon before astronauts did, in the Soviet space probe Zond 5.
3. They don’t have ears – but can perceive low-pitched sounds.
4. They are nearly as old as the dinosaurs, with examples going back to over 200 million years ago.
5. They can see color and have a preference for red, orange, and yellow.

Exercise:

Take a few moments to look within yourself and discover the wonders of you, to be at ease in your own shell.

If this is a bit challenging, consider requesting such feedback from those close to you.

“Today is when everything that’s going to happen from now on begins.”

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“Today is when everything that’s going to happen from now on begins.”

– Harvey Firestone Jr., businessman

A considerable number of people who enter into a coaching relationship have a “governor” on their life and career engine that seems to be limiting them from moving forward at the speed they desire.

Their trips down memory lane regarding past accomplishments and setbacks often limit what they’re willing to do at this moment in time.

Exercise:

To minimize these journeys into the past, which may limit your orientation for forward movement, consider creating a number of Post-it notes with the following question. Place them throughout your personal and professional environments.

What is the most important thing I can do at this very moment?

Repeat this question often, to do what you can from where you are.

“At the end of each day, you should play back the tapes of your performance. The results should either applaud you or prod you.”

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“At the end of each day, you should play back the tapes of your performance. The results should either applaud you or prod you.”

– Jim Rohn, entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker

The gift of feedback from others, and the insights gained through self-reflection, are critical to coaching success. Without them, as Rohn notes, we are not sure if we are to celebrate our efforts or double-down to try something new on our next attempt.

Exercise:

Ask yourself the following questions at the end of your day, regarding your efforts in your personal and professional life:

1. What worked well that pleased you, and how can you build on that success tomorrow?
2. What did not work out today as you expected, and what new and different actions can you take tomorrow that would bring you the results you desire?

Consider asking these questions for a week and see if the habit of a daily playback improves your performance.

“If you can tell me who your heroes are, I can tell you how you’re going to turn out in life.”

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“If you can tell me who your heroes are, I can tell you how you’re going to turn out in life.”

– Warren Buffett, American businessman, investor and philanthropist

While doing a bit of research on Buffett’s interesting upbringing and career, I learned that he was highly influenced by a prominent investor of his time, named Ben Graham.

Ben is noted for creating the concept of intrinsic business value – which, at the time, was a fundamental alternative to the value of a company’s stock price.

As one of the world’s richest men, Buffett obviously was inspired by his hero to follow his teachings.

Exercise:

Who are your heroes? What values, behaviors, and wisdom do they possess that would cause you to model your own life after them?

Consider the idea that you are someone’s hero. How will you continue your own growth journey to be the kind of person worth following?