good habits over good luck

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Barry

“I’ll take good habits over good luck.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image from bodyforwife.com

Samuel Goldwyn’s famous statement, “The harder I work the luckier I get,” points to our ability to create our own luck, or at least become more successful through our own committed efforts.

Examine your good habits, and those of people you admire, to see what positive and favorable outcomes result.

EXERCISE:

Rate your habits in the following areas on a scale of one to five, with one being poor and five being high. What efforts might be required on your part to be the one that people admire?


Relationship Management	Health and Fitness	Personal Development
Community Involvement	Spiritual Growth	Work Ethic
Avocations and Hobbies	Financial Freedom	Family

their can’t

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Barry

“Their ‘Can’t’ is my trumpet.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image from Flickr by Mauro Hiroshi Cannas

One of my favorite authors is Seth Godin. I particularly like his recent book, “What to Do When it’s Your Turn.” The subtitle, “And it’s Always Your Turn,” is a key element of his brilliance.

Too often we are hoping to be picked for the team, asked to dance, or selected for promotions or other desired opportunities. We all frequently experience setbacks, disappointments, and others telling us what we can and can’t do.

EXERCISE:

How can you take Brendon’s coaching and let the “Can’t” be your own trumpeting call, to boldly choose yourself and realize more of your full potential?

say something nice

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Barry

“Gossip is the Devil’s Radio.”

-George Harrison, member of The Beatles

Image from giantbomb.com

I clearly recall my parents emphasizing the adage, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Unfortunately, this altruistic idea is difficult when we desire to belong and fit in with our various communities.

Using the radio metaphor, where do you stand in your willingness to receive destructive transmissions? When do you initiate them? Given our hyper-connected social media world, these messages can spread like wildfire.

EXERCISE:

What if you choose to be an angel – rather than a devil- by sharing only positive, affirming messages today? What would be possible if we all engaged in this approach?

Optimism is essential to achievement

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Barry

“Optimism is essential to achievement, and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.”

-Nicholas Murray Butler, 20th Century president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Image from questionpro.com

Would you like to live a longer, happier, more fulfilling and successful life?

Over the past two decades, I’ve conducted an unscientific, subjective assessment which indicates that my more optimistic clients are more successful and fulfilled during and beyond their coaching engagements.

Other scientifically verified sources attribute a number of benefits to optimism, including:

Having greater purpose	Increased coping skills	Increased productivity
More satisfying relationships	Reduced frustration & worry	Decreased stress
More vibrant health	Improved problem-solving	Enhanced self-esteem

EXERCISE:

Consider taking the 15-minute Learned Optimism Test, adapted from Dr. Martin Seligman’s book, Learned Optimism, as a step toward your own more rewarding life.

Even a Monster

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Barry

“Even a monster backs off when one feeds it lovingly.”

-Laurent Carrel, Messages from Melanie

image from Photobucket by Seldric

Over 40 years ago, I worked my way through school as a “Deli Man” at a popular restaurant in Philadelphia called Jacks. I earned a whopping $36 for my 12-hour, Saturday night shift.

Saturday was the busiest day of the week, since many customers were purchasing ingredients for the traditional Sunday brunches held in the neighborhood.

One day, I noticed that all the other Deli Men had taken their 30-minute breaks just as a particular customer came to the counter. They left me with the woman they called “The Deli Monster,” because she was never satisfied and complained about everything.

Somewhere along the line, I had heard someone say “kill them with kindness,” so I determined to meet and exceed her every desire. She practically adopted me, and I became her favorite Deli Man for the rest of my time at the restaurant!

EXERCISE:

Who are some of the monsters that terrorize your personal and professional worlds?
Where would a kinder, more loving approach do the trick and have them back off as well as become a friend or ally?

Reclaim Our Life

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Barry

“We must reclaim our life agenda once more.”

-Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image from Flickr by Roland Urbanek

One of the most fundamental elements of people leading full and satisfying lives is autonomy, or as some might say, the ability to guide and direct our own lives.

For many, the ability to chart our own life course has been taken over, or at least overshadowed, by the professional and personal communities within which we operate.
One simple self-test to see if this is true for you is to examine how often your inner voice says, “I don’t want to…” when you are asked to do something.

EXERCISE:

How and in what small or big ways can you reclaim your own life agenda, to lead a fuller, more satisfying life?

perfection

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Barry

“You don’t need to create a masterpiece every day. You need to get some oil on the canvas every day.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

image of art paper with three color bars

Image from craftsy.com

Do you have young children? Are you a grandparent? Do you have little ones as part of your world on a daily basis? If so, consider their artistic efforts with crayons, markers, and paints. Recall a time when their masterpieces took a prominent spot on your walls or refrigerator. Their efforts were cherished and celebrated for whatever images made it on those canvases.

Unfortunately, as adults we often become judge and jury for our own efforts and those of others, making excellence or perfection the only worthy goal.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you more fully appreciate and recognize your efforts, and those of others, to get some oil on the canvas every day?

pointing at himself

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Barry

“When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that three of his fingers are pointing at himself.”

—Author Unknown

Image of a man pointing one finger with three fingers pointing at himself

Image from idgconnect.com

There sure is a lot of finger pointing going on these days! Pick almost any hot topic in the news and you will see people on all sides taking dead aim at one another.

Blaming others, finding fault, and making others wrong seems wired into us in spite of the fact that we are all highly aware of its consequences.

EXERCISE:

Knowing that three fingers are always pointing back at us when we point at others, how can you take far more responsibility, accountability, and ownership regarding the events in every aspect of your life?

Initiative Assessment

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Barry

“All man’s gains are the fruit of venturing.”

—Herodotus, 5th Century BCE Greek Historian

Image from Flickr by Lynn Friedman

As part of my Personal Excellence Coaching program, I often conduct assessments which includes a review of the client’s achievement traits. Among the most important is that of initiative, in which the individual evaluates what needs to be done and ventures forth without being prodded by others to do so.

Beginning new things, solving challenging problems, and pursuing a new goal sure beats waiting and wishing for things to come our way.

EXERCISE:

Where would an “if it is to be it begins with me” approach have you venturing forth in new ways, to gain more of the sweet fruits of life?

Loving Joyous Spirit

Posted on July 20, 2016 by Barry

“Youth is eternal to those with a curious, loving, joyous spirit.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image from Flickr by Jose Maria Cuellar

Our world celebrates youth. You need only pay attention to the vast number of marketing messages with which we are bombarded. All we need do is buy this cream, take that pill, eat this food, and engage in some form of turbo-charged workout, and we, too, will dodge the ravages of aging.

We all know that these strategies, at their best, can only modestly impact our lives, and drive many of us nuts in the process. Perhaps we should take Brendon’s coaching to assure we have an eternally youthful spirit.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you be more youthful and joyous through meaningful opportunities to learn, and to build more loving relationships?