Tag Archives: Barry Demp Coaching

“We are the warriors of light. With the force of our love and our will, we can change our own destiny and that of many other people.”

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“We are the warriors of light. With the force of our love and our will, we can change our own destiny and that of many other people.”

—Paulo Coelho, Author of The Valkyries

Image from Unsplasy by Dewang Gupta

To process today’s quote, consider yourself one of the heroic characters in the Star Wars saga. Armed with your light saber—and of course The Force,—what causes and quests have your focus?

Where are you taking a stand for matters that align with your values and core principles? What friends, colleagues, and family members share these views you consider worth fighting for?

EXERCISE:

How can and will you more fully demonstrate your love and will to realize your destiny for yourself and others in your communities?

“You cannot look in a new direction by looking harder in the same direction.”

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“You cannot look in a new direction by looking harder in the same direction.”

—Edward de Bono, Author of Six Thinking Hats

Image from Unsplash by marianne bos

Many of us are doing a lot more thinking about our thinking these days. With things changing all around us, most of us are taking significantly more time to explore our perspectives, attitudes, and values.

Where has this expanded and broader view taken you? Where are you simply looking harder in the same direction, hoping for the old normal?

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you move beyond looking harder in the same direction to take some new and courageous steps in a better direction?

Please reply to this post with any insights you are inspired to act upon today.

“Politeness is an inexpensive way of making friends.”

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“Politeness is an inexpensive way of making friends.”

—William A. Feather, 20th Century American publisher and author

Image from csbcorrespondent.com

How familiar are you with the 10 / 5 Rule?

In the hospitality industry, this rule dictates that when a staff member is ten feet from a guest, they smile and make direct eye contact.

When a staff member is within five feet, they greet the guest with a salutation such as Hello or Good Morning.

My modified version of this rule takes place on my daily morning walks when I wave at the people in cars and say hello to my fellow walkers and their dogs, making sure we are at least six feet apart.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can and will you apply the polite no-cost gesture of the 10/5 Rule in your world, to make a few more friends?

Friday Review: Generosity

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FRIDAY REVIEW: GENEROSITY

How can and will you demonstrate a generous spirit over the coming months? Here are a few generosity-related posts you may have missed.

 

“One of the sanest, surest and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.”

 

 

 

 

“To have what you want, don’t want it—give it.”

 

 

 

 

“Ideas, bread, and books are all the same. They’re better when they are shared.”

 

 

 

 

“Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices – just recognize them.”

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“Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices—just recognize them.”

—Edward R. Murrow, 20th Century American Broadcaster

Image from Unsplash by Sharon McCutcheon

Edward R. Murrow was an American broadcast journalist and war correspondent. He first gained prominence during World War II with a series of live radio broadcasts from Europe. One of his numerous noteworthy accomplishments was his TV program “See it Now,” which helped expose and censure Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Murrow’s fellow journalists considered him one of journalism’s greatest figures, noting his honesty and integrity in delivering the news. Much of the public at the time agreed.

EXERCISE:

What news sources do you trust to deliver current events with honesty and objectivity? How can we more fully recognize and appreciate the unconscious biases created through our life experiences?

How might the reporting of Edward Murrow, if he were working today, help release us from theses prisons?

“Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.”

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“Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.”

—Marilyn vos Savant, American author

Image from Unsplash by Jaime Spaniol

How many personal or professional battles are you fighting? Where are you winning? Where are you losing? Consider also looking into your past to examine examples from earlier times.

Where have and are you persisting in your efforts with grit, tenacity, and determination?

Where have and are you giving up and throwing in the towel?

The saying goes that lessons in life are only fully learned after you take the test.

EXERCISE:

How would the perspective of “This is Only a Test” inspire you to rise above and stay the course, to realize even greater current and future victories?

“You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time.”

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“You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time.”

—J.S. Knox, 19th Century British Author

Image from Unsplash by Elijah Macleod

How would you rate yourself as a salesperson, a leader, an effective parent, or simply as a person having a positive impact on others?

Fundamental to all those capabilities is the ability to influence others and engender in them an idea that already resonates within them.

Who are the people in your world that influence you to buy in to their ideas and vision, which already align with your own?

Alternatively, who are the people who antagonize or at least rub you the wrong way? How do you respond to their ideas and efforts to persuade you to think and act as they wish?

EXERCISE:

How can and will you adjust your approach with others in your personal and professional communities to have far greater influence in your world?

“Attack issues, not people.”

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“Attack issues, not people.”

—Liz Wiseman, Author of Multipliers

Image from Unsplash by Photos Hobby

With the U.S. elections only six weeks away, the frequency and intensity of personal attacks are at a fever pitch. We are clearly not united.

Through the media and in our own local communities we can observe many types of attacks, including those leading to serious injury and the loss of life.

Even when an attack is not specifically physical, harsh words and verbal assaults cause great harm. Take a minute to look specifically at your own world — examples you have observed over the past week or two.

Mother Teresa once stated that she would never attend an anti-war protest, but would gladly participate in a rally promoting peace.

Instead of attacking what we are against, perhaps a shift to what we stand for could be a critical pivot. We could all come together to solve our most significant collective issues.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life would attacking issues — not people — be the best approach to bettering our world?

Friday Review: Reading

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FRIDAY REVIEW: READING

How much time do you invest in reading each day or each week? Here are a few reading-related posts you may have missed.

 

“Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.”

 

 

 

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

 

 

 

“To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.”

 

 

 

“Don’t focus on only one growth path.”

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“Don’t focus on only one growth path.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Vladislav Babienko

To what degree are you a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional person?

Take a close look at how you spend your days and who you spend them with.

In which of these communities are you experiencing the greatest engagement and growth?

Alternatively, where do you feel stuck, stopped, or even regressing?

Over the past several months, some of my clients and many people in my professional networks have seen their growth thwarted. Many of us have had our cheese moved by the pandemic and its economic consequences. Many are exploring other options, or are engaged in what I like to call a dual strategy – pursuing alternative and supplemental career options.

Beyond the working world, many of them are also taking the time to invest in personal and professional growth efforts, to better themselves and others.

EXERCISE:

Consider purchasing Seth Godin’s book, The Bootstrapper’s Bible, to see how you might pursue the idea of starting and growing your own business. The book was originally written in 1998 and while a bit dated, contains many of the fundamentals to get you going.