What inspires you? How do you inspire others? Here are a few inspiration-related posts you may have missed.
“Your greatness is measured by your horizons.”
“Quiet people have the loudest minds.”
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
Image from lays.com
Whether you call them potato chips, crisps, or something else, potato chips are big business, accounting for sales north of ten billion dollars per year.
Countries around the world have unique flavors of chips – all adding to our waistlines! For example:
What flavors have you tried? What type of chips do you crave during those naughty moments of self indulgence?
Mentors and coaches, meanwhile, are almost always beneficial and support you in leading a happier, healthier, and more successful life.
Where might adding a few more mentors and coaches support your progress towards greater personal and professional achievement?
Even if you don’t formalize these relationships on a one-on-one level, consider the books, blogs, seminars, and other resources from such individuals and how they can support your efforts.
Image from Unsplash by Matthew Essman
It’s unlikely that there is a Junior Alligator Wrestling League in your community or school system.
What parent would send their child off to such an activity, hoping they would rise in the ranks, and bring home the Champion Trophy – not to mention all their appendages?
Our world is hyper-competitive and sports include a significant risk of injury. Still, many families with an interest in fitness and athletic activities participate, knowing full well that their children are unlikely to make it to the Olympics or turn pro at some point.
Meanwhile, in the working world more and more people are finding that being only “pretty good” puts them at risk of being eaten by the alligators swimming in their vocational waters.
What efforts can and will you include in your “pretty great” developmental journey in the year ahead?
Image from Unsplash by Max van den Oetelaar
If you keep up with books on personal and professional achievements, you will likely have seen an emphasis on deep work, drive, grit, leaning in, and discovering your strengths.
There is no question that hard work, persistence, the power of habit, and putting in those 10,000 hours is correlated with considerable progress and achievement.
What would trying softer look like?
How could this be an access point to a more successful and rewarding life?
Where would quieter behaviors and approaches to your relationships with yourself and others, and the general way you move through life, provide access to new personal and professional possibilities?
Image from Unsplash by Chivalry Creative
Given that we are nearly 60 days into the new year, how would you say things are going compared to 2019?
Where are you on track or ahead of your plans to achieve your goals? Where are you stuck, or even falling behind?
To what extent is it time to get out your favorite pen or sit at your keyboard to rewrite a few scenes? How might you remove or replace supporting or leading characters to minimize drama in your life?
In what area of your personal or professional life is it time to edit your life script to add significantly more fun, laughter, adventure and joy?
What are your favorite memories? Which memories aren’t so pleasant? Here are a few memory-related posts you may have missed.
“All it takes is one song to bring back 1,000 memories.”
“Let the past be content with itself, for man needs forgetfulness as well as memory.”
“Things aren’t what they used to be and probably never were.”
Image from Unsplash by Caleb Frith
George Washington once said, “It is better to be alone than in bad company.”
These days it may also be better to be alone than in even good company.
To what degree is finding “Me” time a significant challenge for you? How often may this be due to your selfless, giving nature? Where are you burning the candle at both ends to serve and support others in your various communities?
What is this costing you? What may it be costing those you care about because you are often running on or near empty?
Do your own Google search for “Me Time” activities that suit you. Select at least one strategic activity for when you have one, five or fifteen minutes. For advanced activities look at longer blocks of time to fully recharge and be your best.
Image from Unsplash by Felicia Buitenwerf
Enoughness may be a better word to use instead of balance these days.
Consider the recent holidays. Where, when, how, and with whom did you go a bit or a bunch overboard in any or all of the following:
What are some of the down sides of excessiveness in these and other areas that come to mind?
Where are there places in your daily life—beyond holidays and weekends—where the drive for more or too much to handle is actually too much for your own good?
Where would a bit less, some restraint, moderation, and a greater grasp on enoughness in your world help you gain greater maturity and yes, greater balance in your life?
Image from thememorialtournament.com
Walter Hagen was considered by many to be golf’s greatest showman. People referred to him as a flamboyant, princely, romantic fellow who captivated fellow players and the public with sheer panache.
He was the most colorful golfer of his time, but Sir Walter also had the game to back it up. He won 11 major titles and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame for many other achievements.
His coaching in today’s quote is good council for golf as well as life. Patience, a positive attitude, and enjoying every moment as we travel the fairways of life can lead us all to greater success and happiness.
Where in your personal or professional life would a don’t hurry, don’t worry approach serve you best?
Taking note of the flowers you see and smell along the way will be a wonderful bonus.
What was yesterday like for you?
Go back 24 hours to see where you were, who you were with, and what you were doing. How would you rate this day compared to most?
What criteria do you use for higher versus lower ratings?
Did you get off to a quick start, keep up your energy and momentum and finish strong, or something less remarkable?
The good news, if you rated yourself high, is that you get to do it again with a few bonus outside the box efforts. The other good news is that even if your yesterday(s) were not so hot, you get to give today another shot.
Please consider using one of my favorite quotes by Tuli Kupferberg to guide today and many more of your tomorrows – When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.