Tag Archives: Barry Demp Coaching

The mind must be given relaxation

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“The mind must be given relaxation — it will rise improved and sharper after a good break.”

—Seneca the Younger, ancient Roman Stoic Philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Vitaly Gariev

Taking time to relax isn’t an indulgence — it’s vital for clear thinking and personal growth.

When we pause, step away, and allow our minds room to breathe, we return to our work and relationships with renewed clarity.

Instead of pushing relentlessly, give yourself permission for a mindful walk, family time, or a quiet moment. These simple breaks sharpen your perspective and boost creative insights.

Just as a well-rested athlete performs better, a rested mind leads to better decisions, deeper connections, and greater overall well-being.

Your productivity and joy depend on it.

EXERCISE:

Create a list of five to ten practical ways for you to apply Seneca’s wisdom to relax your mind for sharper, improved thinking.

Block out time in your schedule to engage in at least two of these activities today. How can and will you make this practice a habit going forward?

Don’t discount the past

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Don’t discount the past. There is no such thing as a wrong turn or a dead end. Each step along the way has brought you to this very moment.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Hadija

Don’t discount the past — each moment, every twist (and even detours) have shaped the person you are today.

There are no wrong turns or dead ends if each experience teaches, strengthens, and deepens understanding.

Rather than regretting decisions or wishing for a different path, honor the journey that brought you here.

Challenges, successes, and failures all offer wisdom and growth, weaving together the unique story only you can share.

Embrace your past with gratitude, knowing it has prepared you for all that lies ahead.

This very moment is the sum of every step taken, a testament to resilience and self-discovery.

Move forward with confidence, trusting that your story is unfolding just as it should.

EXERCISE:

Explore The Power of Regret by Dan Pink to embrace and understand how regrets from the past can help you make smarter choices, perform better, and live a more meaningful life.

Friday Review: Decisions

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Friday Review: Decisions

What decisions have you made so far in 2025, or are you planning for 2026? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

Decide to decide and then take the leap. You will land on your feet more than you think.

 

 

 

 

“Play the tiles you get.”

 

 

 

 

 

“Apologizing doesn’t always mean you’re wrong, and the other person is right. It means you value your relationship more than your ego.”

 

 

 

 

 

Job shadowing is a good idea at any age

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“Job shadowing is a good idea at any age.”

—Gabe Anderson– Musician

Image from Unsplash by Yk K

Job shadowing isn’t just for students or those starting out — it’s a powerful tool at any age.

Whether you’re 25, 45, or 65, stepping into someone else’s workday can open your eyes to new perspectives, spark fresh ideas, and even reignite passion for your own career.

For those considering a midlife career shift, shadowing helps you explore options without a major leap.

For seasoned professionals, it’s a chance to stay curious, expand knowledge, and connect with the next generation.

And for retirees, it offers meaningful engagement and continued learning. Curiosity has no age limit — shadowing reminds us we can all grow, adapt, and stay inspired at any stage of life.

EXERCISE:

Who would you like to shadow for a day?

How might these experiences spark new ideas and remind you that curiosity and personal growth have no expiration date?

“Change is not an anchor that pins us

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“Change is not an anchor that pins us, it’s a wave we ride.”

—Stephen St. Amant, author of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

When people hear the word change, their first reaction is often resistance.

Change gets cast as something heavy, disruptive, or even threatening.

We see it as an anchor, weighing us down, pinning us in place, keeping us from moving forward with ease and confidence.

But what if we misunderstood the nature of change?

Perhaps change is not an anchor. Maybe it’s a wave and our job is not to resist it, but to ride it!

EXERCISE:

Consider reading of re-reading the book Who Moved my Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in your Life by Spencer Johnson.

This quick, memorable parable distills essential lessons about anticipating, adapting to, and thriving through change.

A crowded mind leaves no space for a peaceful heart

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“A crowded mind leaves no space for a peaceful heart.”

—Christine Evangelou — U.K. poet

Image from Unsplash by Angel Balashev

If a crowded mind leaves no space for a peaceful heart, consider your mind’s clutter like shoes in the hallway: Each worry and thought is a trip hazard to calm.

Serenity can’t squeeze in where endless to-do lists and past regrets pile up.

Consider sweeping the mental mess with mindful moments: deep breaths, laughter, or jotting worries on paper to clear the floor.

Notice how the heart sighs in relief when the mind steps aside. A peaceful heart isn’t found in chasing every thought — it’s found in the gentle gaps, open spaces, and intentional pauses throughout our days.

EXERCISE:

Close your eyes and picture a broom sweeping through your mind, gathering all your worries and stray thoughts into a pile and letting it go.

Consider asking others in your life for their best strategies to make room for a more peaceful heart.

Be the kind of person who is worthy of respect, kindness, and love

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Be the kind of person who is worthy of respect, kindness, and love.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by David Clode

Being a person worthy of respect, kindness, and love starts with how one treats others — even when no one is watching.

It means choosing honesty, offering support, and listening deeply, displaying compassion in both big and small moments.

Being worthy isn’t earned through accomplishment or status, but through daily choices to be patient, forgiving, and open-minded.

By nurturing these qualities, relationships flourish and mutual trust grows. When respect, kindness, and love are cultivated within, they naturally extend outward, creating a ripple effect in the world.

Living this way is a lifelong journey, a series of intentions and actions that make others feel valued.

Ultimately, the person who continuously strives to embody these virtues is truly worthy of these gifts.

EXERCISE:

Who are the people in your life most worthy of respect, kindness, and love?

How can you apply their good examples to coach yourself to be worthy of these gifts as well?

FRIDAY REVIEW: CREATIVITY

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FRIDAY REVIEW: CREATIVITY

What place does creativity have in your life? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“Always create before you consume.”

 

 

 

 

 

“Optimism is a performance enhancing drug that’s both legal and free.”

 

 

 

 

For creativity to flourish, you need to allow yourself to break rules, defy convention, and color outside the lines.

 

 

 

 

We often think that we want an open road

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“We often think that we want an open road and the ability to choose any direction for ourselves. But sometimes, what we need is a tunnel that can reduce our choices and send us in a focused direction.”

—James Clear, American Author

Image from Unsplash by Daniel Jerez

The pursuit of endless possibilities often feels thrilling — a wide-open road promising freedom and self-determination.

Yet, in moments of overwhelm, too many choices can breed indecision and anxiety. Sometimes, what we truly need isn’t boundless options, but a tunnel: a clear path guiding us forward.

By narrowing our focus, we eliminate distractions and can pour our energy into meaningful progress. Constraints can be empowering, transforming what feels like limitation into a sharp sense of purpose.

EXERCISE:

Where might greater clarity and direction — a purposeful tunnel — offer you greater fulfillment than a wide-open road ever could?

Consider reading “The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less” by Barry Schwartz for additional ways to combat the overwhelming abundance of choices we all face each day.

“Much of the world around us is predicated on keeping us asleep.”

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“Much of the world around us is predicated on keeping us asleep.”

—Sue Heatherton

Image from Unsplash by Shane

Much of the world is engineered to keep us asleep, lulled by comfort, screens, and endless distractions. We’re conditioned to accept routines, to consume without questions, and fear genuine connection.

Underneath the glossy surface of convenience and entertainment, there’s a system eager to sedate our curiosity, creativity, and dissent. What if the news, notifications, and even the comfort foods we seek are all subtle lullabies designed to keep us docile?

The cost of staying asleep is steep — stagnation, loss of self, and the quiet death of potential.

It’s time to challenge the narratives, shatter the cycles, and bravely awaken.

EXERCISE:

Examine who profits from us staying asleep. What might we reclaim by waking up?