“Care and Diligence bring luck.”

Posted on December 5, 2019 by Barry

“Care and Diligence bring luck.”

—Thomas Fuller, 17th Century English historian

We have all heard the phrase, The harder you work the luckier you get.

A question to consider related to this premise is: What causes some of us to work with such diligence?

Perhaps it is the idea of truly caring for something or someone that brings forth our very best and most determined efforts.

Research stated in Dan Pink’s book, Drive, confirms the importance of purpose and meaning as fundamental to what literally drives us forward.

EXERCISE:

How can you dramatically increase you own luck by bringing forth your most caring and diligent efforts in your personal and professional worlds?

“Profit is the applause you get for taking care of your customers and creating a motivating environment for your people.”

Posted on December 4, 2019 by Barry

“Profit is the applause you get for taking care of your customers and creating a motivating environment for your people.”

—Ken Blanchard, internationally-known management consultant and author

Image from Unsplash by Ezra Jeffrey-Comeau

Without question, loyal customers and happy employees are foundational for a successful business. Companies that go from good to great and are built to last support these critical stakeholders, in most cases, far better than their competition.

To determine the basis for your own current level of applause/profit, ask yourself and your colleagues two questions:

How extraordinary is our care and attention to the things our customers want, need, and desire?
How inspired and motivated are our people to leap out of bed each morning to come to work?

EXERCISE:

What actions can and will you take to deserving and receive more standing ovations from these groups, now and into the future?

“People who are empowered don’t go along to get along.”

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Barry

“People who are empowered don’t go along to get along.”

—Cheryl Richardson, New York Times bestselling author

Image from cherylrichardson.com

How strongly do the following statements apply to you?

I have the power, authority, and autonomy to influence my personal and professional communities.
I feel strong and confident in all areas of my life.
I feel that my ideas and interests are valued and seriously considered at work and at home.
I live a highly self-determined life in which I accept personal authority and responsibility for my actions.

EXERCISE:

If your thoughts regarding these statements fall below your desired levels of empowerment, consider where you happen to be “going along the get along.”

Where and with whom can and will you take steps to live a far more self-determined life?

“Human nature is like water. It takes the shape of its container.”

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Barry

“Human nature is like water. It takes the shape of its container.”

—Wallace Stevens, 20th Century American Poet

Image from Unsplash by Delbert Pagayona

When I was a boy, one of my hobbies was maintaining a tropical fish tank with many varieties of brightly colored and various shaped species. In the early years, before they knew my level of commitment, my parents purchased a small set that included a ten-gallon tank.

As my interest grew, I graduated to more elaborate set-ups, which always involved a larger tank.

One thing I particularly enjoyed was that almost all fish species grew a bit larger in their expanded environments.

EXERCISE:

Examine some of the professional and personal containers in which you swim each day. How large is the container that supports your growth? Who are the individuals that influence your nature? What attitudes and behaviors do they exhibit?

Friday Review: Gratitude

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Barry

FRIDAY REVIEW: GRATITUDE

How have you made the expression of gratitude an integral part of your daily life? Here are three gratitude-related posts you may have missed.

“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.”

“I thank you for your part in my journey.”

“Do you want to be happy? Let go of what’s gone, be grateful for what remains, and look forward to what is coming.”

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 28, 2019 by Barry

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Image from Unsplash by Priscilla du Preez

Today is the American Thanksgiving holiday – a day in which we all take time to honor and express our gratitude for the abundance we enjoy – in material things, but also in those things
that can’t be bought. Friends, family, good health, and so much more.

My gratitude goes out to each of you, faithful readers of The Quotable Coach series. I hope you continue to find these messages worthwhile, and that they bring you both motivation and a few nuggets of wisdom.

“If the customer comes first, there is a good chance the customer will come back.”

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Barry

“If the customer comes first, there is a good chance the customer will come back.”

—Author Unknown

My very favorite place to shop for groceries is Trader Joe’s. On average, they receive over 80% of my food dollars. They probably would receive 100% if their store carried everything I wanted.

Despite their small geographic footprint compared to other supermarkets, they do a great job.

The quality and variety of their offerings and their logistics are brilliant. Even beyond that is their extraordinarily kind, engaging, and helpful staff, and their almost unbelievable return policy.

If you have not shopped there, imagine returning an item you ate but did not enjoy, without the packaging or a receipt, and receiving a refund, no questions asked.

EXERCISE:

Where and how could you step up your game by making an even greater effort to put your customers and those you serve first?

“Children are the living message we send to a time we will not see.”

Posted on November 26, 2019 by Barry

“Children are the living message we send to a time we will not see.”

—Neil Postman, 20th Century media theorist

Image from nasa.gov

How familiar are you with the 1977 Voyager interstellar Missions to the planets of the outer solar system?

One of the unique aspects of these pioneering space probes was the inclusion of a 12-inch gold plated copper disk containing sounds and messages selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth, should some other intelligent beings discover it.

Voyager 1 moved into interstellar space in August 2012, Voyager 2 in November 2018. Today, they are far beyond the boundaries of our solar system, speeding through interstellar space into unknown parts of our Milky Way Galaxy, still sending scientific information about their surroundings back to Earth.

EXERCISE:

Take a few minutes to consider children and grandchildren—whether your own or part of your extended family—as golden discs you are sending out into the world. What living messages can and will you teach and share with them to take into a time you may never see?

“It is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but it is impossible to find it anywhere else.”

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Barry

“It is difficult to find happiness within oneself, but it is impossible to find it anywhere else.”

—Arthur Schopenhauer, 19th Century German Philosopher

Image from Amazon.com

Can you recall any of the words from Madonna’s song, Material Girl? If you do remember a few words, I bet you can also recall the melody.

We do live in a material world in which dealing with our day-to-day physical environment is essential. For most people, life is filled with highs and lows, with varying levels of happiness along the way.

A surprising thing happens when we periodically move beyond or perhaps better said, within, to examine, discover, and explore our spiritual and soulful selves.

EXERCISE:

Beyond deepening your own spiritual practices, consider exploring the journey toward greater happiness within by reading, and studying the book, Toward a Meaningful Life. Perhaps discuss it with others in your life who are also ready for a deeper look around.