Tag Archives: Barry Demp Coaching

Empower me to exercise the authority of honesty

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“Empower me to exercise the authority of honesty, and be a participant in the difficult ordinariness of now.”

—Ted Loder, Retired Methodist Minister

Image from Unsplash by Marek Studzinski

Before putting pen to paper, I read today’s quote a few dozen times to grasp its depth and significance. After exploring it in detail, I asked myself three questions:

  1. Who is doing the empowering?
  2. How can I better exercise the authority of honesty in my daily efforts?
  3. Where am I a full participant in the difficult ordinariness of now?

EXERCISE:

How can you apply the wisdom of this quote and strengthen your capacity to live a happier, more fulfilling life?

Feel free to reply to this post with your thoughts.

It is perfectly OK to enjoy familiar things over and over

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It is perfectly OK to enjoy familiar things over and over. Tasting the same fruit twice can be very nice.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Julian Hochgesang

Wendy and I recently returned to Pennsylvania from my first “snow bird” season in Florida. Although I very much enjoyed the sunshine and warmth of our surroundings and the friendships we created, there is something about coming home to what’s most familiar that feels extra nice.

Things that we sometimes overlooked took on a familiar feel much like a favorite pair of warm, cozy pajamas before slipping into our extra cool sheets, given the temperature difference.

EXERCISE:

Where and how do you take extra pleasure in the familiar aspects of your life?

Which of the fruits of your world help you feel most at home?

If there was no money, and everything depended on your moral standards

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“If there was no money, and everything depended on your moral standards, the way that you behave, and the way you treated people, how would you be doing in life?”

—Tupac Shakur, 20th Century American rapper and actor

Image from Unsplash by Markus Spike

Money and possessions are a primary way many of us measure our success and status.

Who are the people at the top in your various professional and personal communities?

What are their extrinsic and intrinsic measures of excellence and achievement?

How do you measure yourself against these people?

How often do you use good character and high moral standards as benchmarks for a meaningful life?

EXERCISE:

If you were to eliminate all external evidence of success how well would you be doing?

Create a list of 5-10 people in your life that model the moral standards and behaviors you most admire.

Do your best to spend additional time with these folks and let their example help you up your game.

 

Sleep is an investment in the energy you need to be effective tomorrow

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“Sleep is an investment in the energy you need to be effective tomorrow.”

—Robert Glazer, Founder and CEO of Acceleration Partners

Image from Unsplash by Acton Crawford

A few weeks ago, we pushed our clocks ahead an hour to begin daylight savings time here in the U.S.

For a couple of days, my wife and I experienced disruptions in our sleep where our effectiveness and focus the next day was noticeably off.

How do you feel when your sleep is disrupted by such things as jet lag or insomnia?

In what ways do you prioritize a good night’s sleep so that you can be your best the following day?

EXERCISE:

Consider checking out Matthew Walker’s book, Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams so you can be your best in all your tomorrows to come.

When you lean in, your risk being hit

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“When you lean in, your risk being hit.”

—Rich Litvin, co-author of The Prosperous Coach

Image from Unsplash by Nicholas Green

In how many areas of your life do you sit on the sidelines as a spectator?

Where in your personal or professional communities are you playing it safe, avoiding the bumps and bruises of the players on the field?

Whether it is in your career, a competitive sporting event, or even in a significant relationship, leaning in has its risks.

What potential rewards will never be realized if you are always keeping your distance?

EXERCISE:

Where is it time to lean into something of great importance or urgency?

How can you best prepare yourself for the possible hits you may receive in your efforts to reach some worthy objective?

Lighten up! Notice what is heavy in your life and release it.

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Lighten up! Notice what is heavy in your life and release it.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

Where in your life does it feel like you are carrying the world on your shoulders?

What are some of the personal and professional burdens and responsibilities that are weighing heavy on you these days?

What percent of this heaviness is coming from people and external events and how have you internalized many of them through self judgement and critical thinking?

Consider taking a look at these situations through the eyes of people you know who handle such pressures with ease. How do they do it?

How often have you asked these folks for some coaching or support to lighten your load?

EXERCISE:

Where would you like to lighten things up in your life?

How can you begin releasing these pressures through shifts in perspective and the use of outside resources that can help?

Friday Review: Criticism

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Friday Review: Criticism

How critical are you? How do you react to criticism from others? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“Behind every criticism is a veiled wish.”

 

 

 

“Counting other people’s sins does not make you a saint.”

 

 

 

When you receive criticism take a moment to pause. Let this time be a kind of speed bump to slow down and “try on” what is being said.

 

 

 

Meditation applies the brakes to the mind

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“Meditation applies the brakes to the mind.”

—Ramana Maharshi, 20th Century Hindu sage

Image from Unsplash by Jan Kopřiva

Over the past several years I have become increasingly fascinated by my meditation practice and other mindfulness activities.

In my experience, meditation has never stomped on the brakes to bring my mind to a complete stop.

It does, however, help me tap the brakes to slow things down, so that I may take in my inner and outer worlds at a calmer and more peaceful pace.

EXERCISE:

Where might meditation and other alternative mindfulness practices help you slow down your mind to more fully experience your days at a more optimal pace?

Space is where miracles happen

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“Space is where miracles happen.”

—Rich Litvin, co-author of The Prosperous Coach

Image from Unsplash by NASA

If you happen to be a fan of Star Trek you may have always believed that space is the final frontier.

Keeping your feet planted here on earth, where are you present to the space between things in your life?

How much physical space do you have in your personal and professional environments to breathe and be your best?

How much head space is available to do your best thinking and most creative work?

EXERCISE:

What wonderful things might happen in your life if you made more space for the miraculous to occur?

Where do you need and deserve this space the most?