Tag Archives: Barry Demp

For those who expect everything, there are many curses

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“For those who expect everything, there are many curses. For those who appreciate everything, there are many blessings.”

—James Clear, Writer, Entrepreneur and Behavior Science Expert

Image from Unsplash by Yasin Yusuf

As we get older and hopefully wiser, many people come to learn that the myth of “having it all” is a lie. At some or many points in their lives, they learn that life forces us to choose and make many difficult tradeoffs.

If I say Yes to this it often means saying No to that. If I grasp this, I will likely need to let go of something else.

EXERCISE:

What have you discovered over the years regarding expecting everything versus appreciating everything? In what ways have your blessings outnumbered your curses with this added wisdom?

Spend as much time crafting the subject line of an e-mail as the message itself

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“Spend as much time crafting the subject line of an e-mail as the message itself because the subject line is often the only thing people read.”

—Kevin Kelly, Founding Executive Editor of Wired Magazine

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

If you are a blogger or happen to read some good ones, you know that the subject line of each message is critical. Our time is precious and we sure don’t want to waste it on useless ramblings and nonsense.

A metric many bloggers consider important is the open rate of each post. This metric helps let them know if their readers are finding their efforts of interest and value. Wit and cleverness are often used to hook readers at least temporarily to read further to hopefully grasp their messages and nuggets of wisdom.

From the people I know, like, and trust, just the subject line “Message from (their name)” is enough for me to read further, knowing that my previous interactions with them have earned my attention and interest.

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom would your name alone be key words in the subject line of an email to guarantee the open rate you desire?

Trust your process preparation and gut

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Trust your process, preparation, and gut. Be willing to bet on yourself.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Edge2Edge Media

Virtually all coaching relationships involve numerous types of transition. Although many of us resist change thrust upon us, we tend to seek out changes that align with our visions and values.

Given the events of the past few years, where might you be in the process of significant personal or professional moves? To what degree have these efforts prepared you to take the leap, confident that your bet on yourself is a good one?

EXERCISE:

Where is it time to place a bet on yourself knowing that your foundational efforts can be trusted?  Who are the people in your life that can and will support you to help guarantee you win?

Friday Review: Memories

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Friday Review: Memories

It’s Memorial Day Weekend. What are your favorite memories? Which memories aren’t so pleasant? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

https://www.thequotablecoach.com/memorial-day-2016/ 

 

 

 

 

“Always have old memories and young hopes.”

 

 

 

 

“A defining moment is a short experience that is both memorable and meaningful.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your excuses will never be as good as the story of how you got it done

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“Your excuses will never be as good as the story of how you got it done.”

—Chris Brogan, professional keynote speaker

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

A wise teacher from my past once said, “A good excuse with no results is still no results.” Giving up on a worthy effort even with what seems like a good reason is easy to do. After all, we did try, and things just didn’t work out.

Stop for a moment and ask yourself how often others have overcome the obstacle that appears to be in your way.  How did they get around it, over it, or through it? What resolve and more novel approaches did they take to achieve what for you is a dead end?

What examples do you have from your own life in which you rose above your excuses to accomplish something remarkable? Note how much fun you have telling the story of how you got it done.

EXERCISE:

Where are you currently making excuses for your own lack of results? How can and will you channel the hero within to overcome all the internal and external obstacles to tell the story of your eventual victory?

Consider check out the book Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo for a fresh and fun perspective on this topic.

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it

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“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.”

—Margaret Fuller, 19th Century American journalist and editor

Image from Unsplash by Kaizen Nguyễn

My grandson Weston loves lemonade. He loves it so much that he prefers it to eating if given the choice. One minute a full glass is in front of him and the next it is empty and he asks for more.

Another wonderful thing about Weston is his thirst for knowledge. His candle is always ablaze with interest in learning about his world and showing others what he can do.

How about you and others in your personal and professional communities? Where do you have the greatest thirst for knowledge and the interest in lighting the candles of others?

EXERCISE:

Who are the open-minded and always ready students in your world? How can you be their teacher, mentor, or coach supporting the next steps in their development? How ready are you as a student, and who are the wise ones in your world that help you light your way?

Joy is the emotional expression of the courageous yes to one’s own true being

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“Joy is the emotional expression of the courageous yes to one’s own true being.”

—Paul Tillich, 20th Century German-American existentialist philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Zachary Nelson

How often do you jump for joy? When was the last time you experienced this feeling, lifting you to new heights of self-expression?

One way to explore this topic and perhaps make a few more leaps in the years ahead is to examine all the roles you play in life. How you spend your time and who you spend it with will offer clues to where and when you give yourself permission to shout yes to your own true being.

EXERCISE:

Who are the happiest and most joyful people you know? What is it about them that attracts you and others to them? How might you use their example to be more joyful yourself? If your list is a bit short, look to the children in your life for some coaching.

Take pleasure in what’s already here

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Take pleasure in what’s already here.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Lala Azizli

For many people, pleasure seeking is almost a full-time job. They seem always on the hunt for the next great experience to place a check mark on their bucket list. Life, however (for most of us) is what happens between those peak experiences, and can seem routine and boring.

Years ago, there was an TV ad campaign for Van Camp’s pork and beans with the catchy jingle, “Simple pleasures are the best.” Although pork and beans may not be your thing, we can all recognize that simple pleasures are also the most abundant if we heighten our awareness and appreciation of them.

EXERCISE:

Turn on your pleasure-seeking radar to see what’s already here. Keep a log or list to capture the things you easily recognize and perhaps a good number of those you often overlook. Consider placing all of your senses on high alert to expand your list even further.

Friday Review: Simplicity

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Friday Review: Simplicity

In a complex world, simplicity can be helpful. Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

Which simple things in life do you appreciate?

 

 

 

 

“The rising sun blesses my mind with joy. The setting sun blesses my heart with peace.”

 

 

 

“Live Simply, Love Generously, Speak Truthfully, Breathe Deeply, Do Your Best. Leave everything else to the powers above you.”

 

Worry compounds the futility of being trapped on a dead-end street

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“Worry compounds the futility of being trapped on a dead-end street. Thinking opens up new avenues.”

—Cullen Hightower, American quip writer

Image from Unsplash by Yellow I’m Nik

Over the past several weeks I’ve become increasingly aware and sensitive to the worries, complaints, and repeating gossip in the people around me. I am sure I must participate at some level, but I can’t stop wishing others would cease and desist with these ever-looping, dead-end conversations.

I wish I had a magic wand to shift other’s perspectives to open up new avenues to more empowering and productive paths in their discussions.

EXERCISE:

What are some of your best approaches when you and others in your communities are trapped on the dead-end streets of worry? What can you do to open yourself and others up to new avenues of thinking?