Tag Archives: Demp Coaching

If there was only the ‘right’ way to do something, Fosbury would never have flopped

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“If there was only the ‘right’ way to do something, Fosbury would never have flopped.”

—John Whitmore, 20th Century South African Surfer

Image of Fosbury doing the flop

image from itv

When was the last time you asked for directions?

When was the last time you asked more than one person for directions to the same destination?

With today’s technology, we check Google maps, Waze, or other tech tools to see what is recommended. What is the fastest route? The most scenic? Which has the fewest tolls?

What is the best, or in the case of today’s quote, the “right” way to go?

Where do right and wrong apply in your personal and professional communities? Where do you find yourself on the same page, or on the other side of decisions, resulting in friction or upset?

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can and will you be far more open and accepting of other’s right to be right?

We remain young to the degree that our ambitions are greater than our memories

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“We remain young to the degree that our ambitions are greater than our memories.”

—Dan Sullivan, co-founder of Strategic Coach

Image from Humanlongevity.com

How long do you expect to live?

Dan Sullivan, the co-founder of Strategic Coach, expects to live 156 years. Over the years, he has had a voracious passion for longevity and optimal health. In the Exponential Wisdom Podcast, he and Peter Diamandis explore where the world is headed by discussing cutting edge technologies and global trends.

Exploring topics such as gene editing, stem cells, artificial intelligence, and nanotechnology, they look into the multi-disciplinary crystal ball of the future of health care. Peter Diamandis, founder of Human Longevity, Inc., expects to live 700 years. He is best known for his X-Prize Foundation and competition, and the commercialization of space. Sullivan and Diamandis encourage the rest of us to release the idea of traditional retirement. They council us to stay actively engaged in making our future ambitions far more extraordinary than our past.

EXERCISE:

Consider reading Peter’s book Abundance, or Dan’s book The Laws of Lifetime Growth, to help guide you to an even more extraordinary future.

Check out their podcast on this and other provocative subjects at exponentialwisdom.com

The Earth needs a good lawyer

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“The Earth needs a good lawyer.”

—Seth Godin, American Author

Image of Earth

Image from nasa.gov

These days it appears that the next gold rush is in space. Whether it is mining asteroids or creating settlements on Mars, there is no question there are lots of big bets being made by such pioneers as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Richard Branson, among others.

Given the trends we observe today, what shape will planet Earth be in by the time, decades from now, we realize all the possibilities we see today?

Even if we create a settlement on Mars with a million people, there will still be eight billion, nine hundred and ninety-nine million people left here on Earth. They will be looking into the night sky, possibly wondering, What have we done?

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways are you a protector/defender of our beautiful Earth? What immediate actions can all of us take to not ever need a lawyer to stand up for Mother Nature?

Friday Review of Teaching

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FRIDAY REVIEW: TEACHING

Who was your best teacher? Who are you teaching today? Here are a few teaching-related posts you may have missed. Click to read the full message.

 

“Teaching is an instinctual art, mindful of potential, craving of realization, a pausing, seamless process.”

 

 

 

“To teach is to learn twice.”

 

 

 

 

“The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don’t tell you what to see.”

 

 

 

Don’t stop when you are tired. Stop when you are done

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“Don’t stop when you are tired. Stop when you are done.”

—David Goggins, American ultramarathon runner

image of David Goggins running

Image of David Goggins from Madbarz

A job well done is a wonderful phrase, whether said by us, or a respected colleague.
The power and satisfaction of completing something big or small has a way of releasing lots of those “feel good” hormones associated with happiness, pleasure, and overall life satisfaction.

On the other hand, consider all those half-done, in-process projects in either your personal or professional worlds – especially the ones that don’t quite light you up with enthusiasm. What emotions and feelings are associated with these matters? How often do you stop your efforts due to some level of fatigue or frustration, or perhaps procrastinate and decide to get back to these efforts later rather than sooner?

EXERCISE:

Where and on what priority matter could you use the experience of being tired as a trigger or catalyst to dig deeper into your own grit and persistence to “get’er done”?

Only the guy who isn’t rowing has time to rock the boat

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“Only the guy who isn’t rowing has time to rock the boat.”

—Jean-Paul Sartre, 20th Century French Philosopher and Playwright

Image of men rowing against a black background

Image from Unsplash by Josh Calabrese

What is your immediate interpretation of today’s quote? Is being a boat rocker a bad thing or a good thing? How much does it depends on where the boat is headed?

Most people, on many occasions, tend to go along to get along. They do not want to be seen as individuals who are not pulling their weight. If and when they do stop rowing and stand up to look around, the other rowers will often apply peer pressure to have them sit down and get back with the program.

Conformity and going with the flow just doesn’t suit the vision, values, and sense of self for many folks these days. They feel compelled to stand up and look toward an alternate horizon more in alignment with their true selves. The boat rocking may result in them jumping ship or being forced to walk the plank due to the apparent disconnect or perceived mutiny observed by the boat’s captain and crew.

EXERCISE:

Where are your personal and professional boats headed? In which situations is it warranted to put more of your legs and back into your rowing efforts, or stand up and rock the boat, to either change its direction or jump ship?

What comes out of you when you are squeezed is what is inside you

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“What comes out of you when you are squeezed is what is inside you.”

—Wayne Dyer, late American Self-Help Author and Speaker

image of a rolled up tube of toothpaste

Image from Wikipedia

How many times each day do you brush your teeth to keep your pearly whites pearly white, strengthen your gums, and freshen your breath? Did you know that there are numerous additional uses for toothpaste that can be realized with a few more squeezes? Alternative uses include:

  • Cleaning your hands after cutting smelly foods such as onions
  • Cleaning jewelry
  • Cleaning crayon marks from painted walls
  • Defogging sports eye wear
  • Treating acne and other skin conditions
  • Nail care
  • Removing carpet stains and shower slime

EXERCISE:

Where and how would a few more squeezing situations bring out even more of your unique talents and abilities? How would a bit more squeezing bring out more of the best in others in your personal and professional communities?

Don’t be in such a rush unless you’ve got the time

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“Don’t be in such a rush unless you’ve got the time.”

—Author Unknown

Image of a man running across a glass floor

Image from Unsplash by Andy Beales

At my fitness club recently, I was speaking to an automotive executive named Jim about The Quotable Coach series. In addition to showing sincere interest in the concept of quote/coaching commentary/and an exercise to apply the nugget of wisdom to our own lives, he shared today’s quote.

He also told me stories in which rushing had a painful downside – not the least of which was stubbing his baby toe too many times to count.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways do you find yourself rushing around your world, with the results you desire falling short of your intentions?

Where would slowing down a bit and taking your time on both important and seemingly urgent matters be the way to approach more aspects of your life?

Friday Review of Posts on Teamwork

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FRIDAY REVIEW: TEAMWORK

What are your thoughts and beliefs about teamwork? Here are a few teamwork-related posts you may have missed. Click to read the full message.

 

“Teamwork is the ability to direct individual accomplishment toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

 

 

 

 

“A single leaf working alone provides no shade.”

 

 

 

 

“Vital to every operation is cooperation.”

 

 

 

 

Just because you can’t keep up doesn’t mean you can’t show up

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“Just because you can’t keep up doesn’t mean you can’t show up.”

—Brendon Burchard, High Performance Author

Image of people running on the street

Image from Unsplash by Mārtiņš Zemlickis

Striving for excellence is a powerful thing. It gives us all a sense of passion and purpose that is fundamental to living a happy, fulfilled life. There is, however, a dark side to the pursuit of excellence when we compare ourselves to others that have demonstrated superior skills and abilities.

In such cases, many of us don’t even bother suiting up and showing up to contribute our abilities and capacities for fear of looking bad and not keeping up.

EXERCISE:

Where and on what personal or professional issue is it time to summon the courage to show up and contribute your best, regardless of the outcome?