Tag Archives: Barry Demp

“When was the last time you had some ME time?”

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“When was the last time you had some ME time?”

—Author Unknown

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?

EXERCISE:

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.

“Maturity is arriving at a sense of enoughness.”

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“Maturity is arriving at a sense of enoughness.”

David Whyte, English poet, speaker and organizational thinker

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:

  • Eating
  • Drinking
  • Spending Money
  • Sleeping
  • Watching TV
  • Being overly merry

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?

EXERCISE:

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?

“You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry, and be sure to smell the flowers along the way.”

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“You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry, and be sure to smell the flowers along the way.”

—Walter Hagen, 20th Century American professional golfer

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.

EXERCISE:

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.

“Yesterday already had its turn. Give today a shot.”

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“Yesterday already had its turn. Give today a shot.”

—Author Unknown

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.

EXERCISE:

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.

Friday Review: Love

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Friday Review: Love

Happy Valentine’s Day! Here are a few posts about love you may have missed. Please be a peach and share them with someone special in your life!

 

“Love is a fruit in season at all times and within reach of every hand.”

 

 

 

“Because of a great love, one is courageous.”

 

 

 

 

“Love the giver more than the gift.”

 

 

 

 

“To some this may look like a sunset. But it’s a new dawn.”

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“To some this may look like a sunset. But it’s a new dawn.”

—Chris Hadfield, first Canadian to walk in space

Image from Unsplash by Nelson Santos Jr.

When things come to an end—particularly what we consider “good” things—many people feel let down.

Consider the “wind down” after the holidays, a vacation, or even an enjoyable weekend.

These examples demonstrate the power of creative tension, and the impact that looking forward to things can have on our attitude and overall mental state.

EXERCISE:

In addition to feeling delight, joy, and happiness because you experience such positive events, how can you better see the new dawn each day brings?

Please reply to this post, and I will be happy to send you a one-page description of Creative Tension.

“If you can learn from hard knocks, you can also learn from soft touches.”

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“If you can learn from hard knocks, you can also learn from soft touches.”

—Carolyn Kenmore, American model and author

Image from Unsplash by Eugenia Maximova

Being gritty and busting one’s butt seem to get lots of attention in relationship to pursuing and achieving success. When we look at athletic coaches in the locker room at halftime, what we expect is some form of aggressive, loud, “pump yourself up” motivational message.

Rarely do the quieter messages of encouragement and soft touches of support get any airtime. They are always drowned out by the massive number of strategies competing for our increasingly scarce attention.

EXERCISE:

Where in your personal or professional worlds are there whispered messages and soft, supportive touches that have something to teach you?

How can and will you tap into these more subtle inputs to become all you wish to be?

“Argue as if you are right and listen as if you are wrong.”

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“Argue as if you are right and listen as if you are wrong.”

—Chip Conley, American hotelier, author, and speaker

Image from Unsplash by Maria Krisanova

We all desire autonomy. We all wish to be heard and to have what we say make an impact and influence our world. To do that, we must voice our thoughts and opinions, sometimes loudly.

After all, speaking about the future well beyond our current reality may never be noticed if we are silent or only whisper our views to avoid a ruckus.

We have two ears and one mouth. Our creator must have known that we would need to hear other’s voices that might be contrary to our own, and consider the possibility of our own views being incorrect.

EXERCISE:

To what degree do you currently speak up and argue for what you believe?

How carefully and completely do you currently listen to others, given the potential for being wrong?

In which of these areas and with whom would an extra effort make the biggest difference?

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”

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“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”

—Louisa May Alcott, 19th Century American author of Little Women

Image from Unsplash by Bobby Burch

If you enjoy good stories with wonderful characters, please go see the movie Little Women, or by all means, read the book.

In our daily lives we can all be coached by the times we see others face and overcome their challenges and obstacles. Doing so can instill the belief that we, too, can do the same.

EXERCISE:

Where in your personal or professional life are you facing considerably rough waters?

In what ways can and will you face these challenges boldly and courageously to chart your course toward a brighter future?

Friday Review: Procrastination

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FRIDAY REVIEW: PROCRASTINATION

In what aspects of your life are you given to procrastination? Here are a few procrastination-related posts you may have missed.

 

“Life lived for tomorrow will always be just a day away from being realized.”

 

 

 

“Never put off for tomorrow what you can cancel.”

 

 

 

 

“Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.”