Tag Archives: Barry Demp Coaching

“Don’t forget how badly you once wanted what you have now.”

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“Don’t forget how badly you once wanted what you have now.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Ismael Paramo

How satisfied are you with your life? Examine who you are on the inside and take a look on the outside to explore your intrinsic and extrinsic accomplishments.

How do your observations compare to the answers you would have offered from 5, 10, or even 20 years ago?

Which of your efforts — based on what you wanted — have come to fruition, and how pleased are you today?

EXERCISE:

Take the time today to count your many blessings. How rich do you feel?

Consider having a conversation with a friend, family member, or colleague to expand the value of this exercise to more fully appreciate how far you have come.

“You don’t need a new year or the new day to start over. You only need a new mindset.”

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“You don’t need a new year or the new day to start over. You only need a new mindset.”

—Hazel Hira Özbek, poet & musician

Image from Unsplash by Elena Koycheva

In his 2018 book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, Dan Pink does a solid job pointing to a variety of scientifically proven insights about how to live, work, and succeed.

With the stumbles, delays, and stops presented by COVID over the past year, many of us are looking for a fresh start, to get back on track with various personal and professional priorities.

EXERCISE:

Consider reading Dan’s book or check out one the many strong YouTube video summaries. Look beneath the many insights from his research and see for yourself where and when your mindset plays an important role in choosing to take on a new activity or task.

 

“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”

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“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”

—Nelson Mandela, late S. African political leader and philanthropist

Image from Unsplash by Meg Boulden

Last month Wendy and I had dinner with a long-lost friend — Mitchell, and his wife Terry. Mitchell and I were schoolmates from first grade through high school.

Although many of the stories we held from so long ago have not changed, we found great pleasure exploring how we have both grown and altered in pursuing our individual paths.

Our discussion reminded me of visiting my grade school and former teachers when I was a college freshman. I was amazed at how small the desks, hallways, and students were.

EXERCISE:

Select and read one of your favorite books from your youth. Note your thoughts, feelings, and emotions regarding how you have growth and altered into the person you are today.

“Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you least expect it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.”

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“Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you least expect it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down.”

—Charles F. Kettering, 20th Century American inventor and engineer

Image from Unsplash by Jose Aljovin

The average inventor produces about three patents in their lifetime. A prolific inventor produces around 15. Charles Kettering, who founded Delco and worked for General Motors from 1920 to 1947, was the holder of 186 patents.

He was clearly a person of action, not one to sit things out on the sidelines.

Another one of my favorite quotes from Kettering is:

“My Interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.”

EXERCISE:

Where are you currently stopped in your life?

Where are you sitting it out, hoping that things will miraculously improve on their own?

Where is it time to stand up and get going again so that you can stumble on something that will add greater meaning and satisfaction to your life?

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

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“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

—Aesop — Ancient Greek storyteller

Image from Unsplash by Mei-Ling Mirow

The grand gesture, the multi million-dollar donation, and the heroic act always get a lot of attention. The idea of going big or going home seems to be woven into our society. If something isn’t big enough and loud enough it almost always goes unnoticed.

Over the past year, many of us have given more attention to our inner work, and listening closely to the often-quiet whispers of our faith and values. These lower decibel messages are beginning to loom much larger in our days due to their resonant truths and influences on living a more meaningful life.

We are all capable of kindnesses of all sizes. What would happen if we didn’t wait or hesitate, thinking our intended efforts were not big enough?

EXERCISE:

Where would putting in your two cents of kindness today make the biggest difference? Imagine the compounding impact if everyone made these small generous deposits daily.

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

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“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

—Vincent Van Gogh, 19th Century Dutch Painter

Image from vangoghmuseul.nl

During his lifetime Van Gogh created 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of which date from the last two years of his life. Doing the math, you can see that during that period he averaged over two paintings per day. Imagine how many small brush strokes he used to create masterpieces such as Sunflowers- 1888, Café Terrace at Night- 1888, The Bedroom- 1888, Starry Night- 1889, and Irises- 1889.

EXERCISE:

Where and how are you placing your own series of small daily brush strokes on the canvas of your life to achieve and contribute your own greatness to your world?

“This world is but a canvas to our imaginations.”

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“This world is but a canvas to our imaginations.”

—Henry David Thoreau, 19th Century American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher

Image from Amazon

Thoreau lived for two years, two months, and two days by Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts.

His writing about his time there became a model of deliberate and ethical living. His words and deeds continue to inspire millions around the world who seek solutions to critical environmental and social challenges.

Gandhi’s work in India, Tolstoy’s philosophies in Russia, and Martin Luther King Jr’s civil rights stand in the United States are just a few notable individuals inspired by his work.

EXERCISE:

How and where in your personal and professional communities can and will you embrace and generously offer your own imaginings to create a more beautiful world?

Friday Review: Solutions

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Friday Review: Solutions

What is your process for finding solutions to problems in your personal or professional worlds? Here are a few solution-related posts you may have missed.

 

“If they give you lined paper, write the other way.”

 

 

 

 

 

“What are you here to teach me?”

 

 

 

“Let’s work together to produce alternative solutions to our differences that we both recognize are better than the ones either you or I produced initially.”

 

 

 

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.

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“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

—Helen Keller, 20th Century American author, disability rights advocate, political activist

Image from Anazon

Life is very different from traditional schooling in that it gives us the test first and then we (hopefully) learn the lesson.

What character-building experiences and trials has life presented you over the past year?

How has your soul been strengthened?

Where have your ambitions been inspired, leading you toward new levels of achievement and success?

EXERCISE:

Please pick up a copy of The Road to Character by David Brooks to challenge yourself to re-balance the scales between the focus on external success (“resume virtues”) and your core principles.