“Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blueprint of your ultimate achievements.”

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“Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blueprint of your ultimate achievements.”

– Napoleon Hill, early self-help author

As a parent, I believe one of our most important jobs is to help develop the capacities of our children to dream and envision a bright and wonderful future.

It is exciting to imagine that we are all born with an inner blueprint that, through our capacity to dream, gets revealed and clarified along life’s journey.

This quote is encouraging all of us to exercise the muscles of our soul and fully realize our capacity to grow, in order to express our fully authentic self.

Exercise:

How can you revisit your exuberant and authentic inner child and recapture (or more fully discover) the blueprint of your soul?

Google the phrase “vision quest” and consider some of the various means to explore this idea further. Feel free to email me (barry@dempcoaching.com) regarding what you discover.

“Find inner peace and thousands will flock to your side.”

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“Find inner peace and thousands will flock to your side.”

– Serafim of Sarov, 19th century Russian monk

For over 30 years, my professional life has included some form of sales or business development component. The volumes of books, tapes, videos, CDs, and DVDs on the subject is enormous – and yet this simple statement may save us all considerable time if we make its message paramount to our efforts.

My interpretation of this idea is that people are attracted to something or someone when they realize that others have a highly favorable experience, or benefit.

Remember the scene from the movie When Harry Met Sally when the woman across from Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks said, “I’ll have what she’s having.” 🙂

Exercise:

What have you achieved or realized in your life that attracts others to you?

What is it that others have achieved and realized that attracts you to them?

“It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day-to-day basis.”

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“It is only possible to live happily ever after on a day-to-day basis.”

– Margaret Bonanno, American writer

We are all familiar with the saying that “all great journeys begin with the first step.”

Far too many people wish their days, weeks and even years away by looking into the future for when they expect to be happy – you know, when all the stars align. Unfortunately, for most people, life doesn’t seem to work out this way.

Instead, Margaret is suggesting we take one bite of life’s smorgasbord at a time to experience the bountiful feast that life can be.

Exercise:

What does the phrase “living happily ever after on a day-to-day basis” look like to you?

Consider discussing your thoughts with members of your family, close friends, and with your colleagues at work.

Quote From David Brinkley

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“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”

– David Brinkley, American newscaster

People of extraordinary achievement often experience more adversity and judgment than others. The sheer fact that they stand out in the world means that people take note – and often take a shot or two to lower them down a peg.

Somehow, these extraordinary people take these judgments and criticisms to further strengthen their resolve to achieve even more.

Exercise:

How can you use the proverbial bricks thrown at you in your professional and personal life to strengthen your foundation for greater achievement?

Consider your ability to encourage and affirm others as a way to create an even more powerful foundational support for their success.

“If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.”

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“If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.”

– Author Unknown

These days, high value is placed on one’s ability to multitask to enhance productivity.

The evidence regarding the productivity gains is controversial at best, with many examples of serious downsides – just look at texting while driving a car.

There’s no question that focusing on one high-priority task at a time pays huge dividends. There’s considerable evidence that most productive people do just that, then move on the next high-priority task, thus giving the appearance of multitasking.

Exercise:

Use your calendar to break up your day into highly focused priority items, and take them on one at a time.

If another rabbit comes in sight, make sure you choose only one to chase. After all, one is far better than none.

Quote from Charles M. Schwab

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“I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than under a spirit of criticism.”

– Charles M. Schwab, entrepreneur in the steel industry

Carrots or sticks?  Encouragement or criticism? It’s a choice we make daily at work and at home.

How do you feel when you are acknowledged and encouraged in your efforts? How do you feel when others judge, criticize, and demean your efforts?

Why is it that a fundamental human trait is to be right and to make others wrong? Just look at our political parties to see what can occur.

Exercise:

Put on a pair of imaginary “approval glasses”, and look at the people around you, and the world, to find out what is good and right.

Share this empowering perspective with others, and help them find their own “approval glasses” to wear.

From Dan Reiland – pastor and pastor’s coach

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“Be more concerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are making them feel good about you.”

– Dan Reiland, pastor and pastor’s coach

I know of few more profound truths than this, to support both personal and professional success.

Focus on others, show genuine interest, truly listen, and let them express themselves freely. Look for the value in their ideas and stop interrupting them to share your next brilliant thought. When you do these things, magic happens.

It’s amazing that when people feel great about themselves in your presence, they feel a greater affinity for you as a source of this feeling.

Exercise:

Send me an email with the subject “Communication Toolbox” and I will send you a free copy of six simple and powerful techniques to take your personal and professional relationships to the next level.

From Robin S. Sharma, author and leadership expert

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“The Universe favors the brave. When you resolve to lift your life to its highest level, the strength of your soul will guide you to a magical place with magnificent treasures.”

– Robin S. Sharma, author and leadership expert

Over the years I have read a number of Robin Sharma’s books, including The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, from which this quote was taken.

I fully believe that life itself is a miracle and we as humans have the capacity to manifest our own miracles, to guide ourselves and others to magical places with magnificent treasures.

Exercise:

Consider picking up a copy of Robin’s books. Two of his early works are The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and The Saint, The Surfer And The CEO. A newer one is The Leader Who Had No Title.

Consider subscribing to his blog for future booster-shots of his thinking and perspective at www.robinsharma.com/blog.

“We are capable of greater things than we realize.”

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“We are capable of greater things than we realize.”

–Norman Vincent Peale, 20th Century author of The Power of Positive Thinking

Image from Unsplash by
Paola Aguilar

Sure, we have all heard similar thoughts from our teachers, parents, colleagues and friends. We even believe them to some extent. The question to consider here is “How much more are we actually capable of that is beyond our ability to truly believe?”

If thoughts become things, what must we do with our own thoughts, opinions, judgments, mental models and yes, personal paradigms, to free us from our own limiting beliefs?

Exercise:

As you think about and create plans for the coming year, ask the following questions of yourself and of those who know you best:

  • What am I capable of through the use of my mind in the coming year?
  • What am I capable of through the development and use of my body in the coming year?
  • What new spiritual developmental opportunities will I take in the coming year?

Extra Credit:

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better than myself

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“I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.”

– Mikhail Baryshnikov, Russian ballet dancer

Image from awanderingjewess.com

Image from awanderingjewess.com

If you have ever seen Mikhail Baryshnikov dance, you know just how brilliant he has been over the years. If you haven’t, I suggest you Google him and check out some video clips of his mastery.

Consider that your own life is a dance, where all that is required is to keep mastering your own professional and personal steps. These steps are within your control, and they allow you to express yourself fully and authentically.

Exercise:

During this new year, what will your personal continuous improvement program include?

As you establish your goals, include the measurable results and action steps you will take. How will you turn these action steps into sustainable habits that will get you there? Just think of it as dancing your way to a better you.