FRIDAY REVIEW: BLAME
Where does the blame belong? Here are a few posts about blame you may have missed. Click the links to read the full messages.
“Finding fault replaces peace of mind.”
Tag Archives: Barry Demp
You Don’t have to get it perfect
“You don’t have to get it perfect, you just have to get it going.”
—Jack Canfield, Co-Author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series
Image from sarasdesk
Doing things perfectly rarely happens on the first attempt and yet many of us seek this elusive level of achievement throughout our days.
Many who are fully aware that achieving this level of excellence is virtually unattainable procrastinate or fail to even make the attempt.
I once heard someone ask the question, “How do you write a good book?” His answer was to write a bad book and keep on working on it until it becomes good.
EXERCISE:
Where might you get going on some important project and use an aim, shoot, adjust your aim and shoot again strategy to achieve your professional and personal goals?
When the heart is afire
“When the heart is afire, some sparks will fly out of the mouth.”
—Thomas Fuller, 15th Century British historian
Image from Unsplash by Jamie Street
Today’s quote is about leadership. Take a moment to consider the sparks flying out of people’s mouths these days. Gun control, global warming, nuclear proliferation, politics, and the economy are just a few of the hotly debated subjects.
What topics have your heart afire? To what degree do you share your own thoughts and opinions on those topics with others?
EXERCISE:
Where is the status quo unacceptable in your personal or professional worlds? Where can and will you play a greater leadership role and let a few more sparks fly out of your mouth, sharing your heartfelt beliefs?
Better keep yourself clean and bright
“Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world.”
—George Bernard Shaw, 20th Century Irish playwright
Image from Flickr by Jason Bain
It is early spring here in Michigan. With increased daylight, warmer days, and a few more birds chirping, many of us are embarking on some spring cleaning.
Two activities that are often on the list are cleaning or replacing the furnace filter, and washing the windows, to clean our air and brighten our views.
EXERCISE:
How can and will you clean your own perceptual filters and brighten your windows on the world to lead a more fulfilling and satisfying life?
Consider doing this exercise with your family or work community so that you can engage additional social support and increase the likelihood of success.
My Joy in Learning
“My joy in learning is partly that it enables me to teach.”
—Seneca, first century Roman philosopher
Image from Unsplash by jeshoots.com
My coaching relationships begins with several “discovery” sessions in which my clients crystallize and clarify what they wish to learn and how they intend to grow.
I often joke with them that they are pursuing “A PhD in Me” through this unique and customized relationship.
In the early stages, they may look to me or others they respect and watch how we lead, manage, coach, or communicate. Very quickly they begin practicing and engaging in similar efforts to further their mastery journey. Soon after, or even at the same time, I encourage them to play the role of coach, mentor, or teacher to share what they are learning with others.
EXERCISE:
Where and with whom can you be a teacher to more joyfully experience the pleasure of learning and contribute more of yourself to others?
Friday Review of Attraction
FRIDAY REVIEW: ATTRACTION
What attracts you? What draws people to you? Here are a few posts about attraction you may have missed. Click the links to read the full messages.
“Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door.”
“Keep a green tree in you heart and a singing bird may come.”
The Roller Coaster is My Life
“The Roller Coaster is my life…It’s mountaineering; It’s wanting to get to the very top of yourself.”
—Paulo Coehlo, Eleven Minutes
Image from Unsplash by Claire Satera
The full quote for today is:
“The roller coaster is my life; Life is a fast, dizzying game; Life is a parachute jump; It’s taking chances, falling over and getting up again; It’s mountaineering; It’s wanting to get to the very top of yourself.”
Based on this quote, you might think I am a massive risk taker, tempting life and limb on a daily basis. I’ve had my share of adventures along the way, but for the most part, I am a bit more of an introvert than you might guess.
I do, however, love the idea of wanting to get to the very top of oneself, base on those life mountains or even hills we choose to climb.
EXERCISE:
In what areas of your life do you have the greatest desire for growth and achievement? How and in what ways can you be a bit more bold and courageous to get to the top of yourself in these important life domains?
For Things to Reveal Themselves to Us
“For things to reveal themselves to us we need to be ready to abandon our views about them.”
—Thich Nhat Hahn, Vietnamese monk
My first career out of college was that of a science teacher. I’m still that guy who watches nature programs, The Discovery Channel, and I never miss an episode of How the Universe Works!
Are you a student of science, the scientific method, or the notable rock star Nobel Prize winning scientists of history? You might be shocked at just how long it took for their scientific contemporaries and the public to consider and adopt what many, at the time, thought crazy ideas about how things work.
EXERCISE:
In what areas of your life would holding on too tightly to what you know and believe be limiting?
How would loosening your grip or even abandoning some of your current views reveal new possibilities and opportunities to better your world?
Life is Amazing
“Life is amazing, and the teacher had best prepare himself to be a medium for that amazement.”
—Edward Blishen, 20th Century British author
Image from Unsplash by Amanda Dalbjorn
Have you heard of Sam Horn? If not, look her up, and strongly consider reading her newsletter and books.
She often shares a concept she calls The Eyebrow Test, which refers to the ideas, concepts, and life events that literally make your eyebrows move upward, demonstrating great interest, or in the case of today’s quote, amazement.
EXERCISE:
How and in what ways can you more fully engage in your own life to experience far more raised eyebrows of amazement?
How can you share such moments or help others in your world experience greater amazement through your potential roles as teacher, mentor, parent, or coach?
Rise above the little things
“Rise above the little things.”
—John Burroughs, 19th Century American essayist
Have you heard of the book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff?
There is a companion workbook to help you put many of the techniques and strategies from the book into practice.
I suggest a three-step process to help you rise above the little things that often bring us all down:
EXERCISE:
Step One: Conduct a 5-10 minute inventory of the “little things” that hold you back, personally or professionally. A list of 3-5 in each category is a good start.
Step Two: Clarify the specific benefits or desired future possible if these pesky or intolerable issues were handled.
Step Three: Summon the courage, fortitude, and grit to become a bigger, more capable version of yourself. Take the necessary action and/or shift your perspective to have many of these “little things” fade away.
Feel free to reply to this post and let me know how things go.