Tag Archives: Demp Coaching

Laughter is the sun

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“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”

—Victor Hugo, 19th Century French poet/novelist

Image of a small boy running through sunlighted sprinkler

Image from Unsplash by Brenda Godinez

This time of year, many people – particularly those in their retirement years – head south to sunnier skies and warmer temperatures. These “snow birds” are somewhat reborn and experience greater youthful vitality when they head off to winter camp.

Many of us, including myself, who are still working and live in a climate that gets a full dose of winter, can feel a bit down at times and long for an early spring.

EXERCISE:

How might you bring truckloads of laughter – instead of road salt – to your days to drive away the winter blues and brighten your worlds?

Dieting a System of starving yourself

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“Dieting: A system of starving yourself to death so you can live a little longer.”

—Jan Murray, late American stand-up comedian

Image of fancy small plates

Image from Unsplash by Brenda Godinez

Have you every been on a diet? If you have like many these days, you count your carbs, have gone gluten-free, stopped eating red meat, limited white foods, and perhaps added supplements or super-foods to your daily routine.

My guess is that you may sometimes step on the scale, look in the mirror, and choose your most comfortable clothes with just a bit of angst.

My wife Wendy and I, after visiting our physicians and viewing a number of documentaries with titles such as “What the Health” and “Cowspiracy,” decided to let food be our medicine, with an emphasis on naturally-sourced, plant-based foods.

To our great delight, it is working!

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can and will you take on the gift of optimal health in the new year?
Do the necessary and important research, and choose an approach you can stick with for a long and vital life.

I like the work by Chris Johnson and his team at ontargetliving.com, and encourage you to visit his site.

Analyze Your Life

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“Analyze your life closely, frequently. You will eventually find it difficult to misuse it.”

—Barbara Ann Kipfer, Self-Meditation

Image of charts and graphs

Image from Unsplash by William Iven

Every December, usually over the holidays, I do an assessment of the past year as a way of acknowledging my efforts and progress, and to set the stage for a new year of personal and professional growth.

The process of developing greater mindfulness and self-awareness can become an essential skill. It helps to not only avoid missing the gift of life, but also in learning to make the most out of each day we are blessed to receive.

EXERCISE:

Take three to five minutes to answer any or all of the questions listed here. Consider doing this with a friend, family member, colleague, or coach, to gain the social support to have   this exercise make a significant and sustainable difference:

  • What did you accomplish in 2017?
  • What were your biggest disappointments?
  • What were your most significant lessons?
  • Where are you currently limiting yourself?
  • What goal areas do you intend to emphasize in the year ahead?

A few resources you may wish to explore for extra credit include:

Your Best Year Yet by Jinny Ditzler
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John Maxwell
Perfectly Yourself by Matthew Kelly
Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Taming Your Gremlin by Rick Carson
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

All the Joy I Can Wish

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“I wish you all the joy I can wish.”

—William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act II, Scene 2

Boys jumping in a field

Image by Robert Collins on Unsplash

With the holiday season upon us, and the new year just ahead, Shakespeare’s wish feels quite appropriate.

Take some real time to reflect on the people, things, and experiences that bring you joy and reach out to those you love with extra hugs and the kind words we often neglect.

EXERCISE:

How and where can you share Shakespeare’s wish of joy throughout your communities this holiday season, and all year long?

Friday Review Improvement

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FRIDAY REVIEW: IMPROVEMENT

Where do you focus when you think of improvement? Here are a few improvement-related posts you may have missed. Click the link to read the full message.

 

“There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.”

 

 

 

 

“It is better to prevent than to cure.”

 

 

 

 

“If there is a single lesson that life teaches us, it’s that wishing doesn’t make it so.”

 

 

 

Don’t Wait Until You are Lost

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“Don’t wait until you are lost to evaluate where you are going.”

—Brendon Burchard, American Motivational Author

Image of a hand holding a compass

Image by Jamie Street on Unsplash

Are you a goal setter?

At this time of year, many of us take time to reflect over the past months to determine what we have achieved relative to our plans from last December.

If you are like many, you may have found yourself taking numerous detours or getting completely lost at some point along the way.

What are some of your own thoughts on ways to not wait until you are lost to evaluate where you are going?

EXERCISE:

Imagine you somehow could install your own goal-focused GPS system. How can you establish far more frequent check-ins and touch points to reach your most sincerely desired destinations in the year ahead?

All Doors are Open to Courtesy

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“All doors are open to courtesy.”

—Thomas Fuller, 17th Century English Historian

Image of a door through a huge rock

Image by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash

This past Thanksgiving holiday was particularly challenging due to my father Marvin’s hospitalization. Fortunately, his surgery and medical care is progressing, thanks to the very compassionate and caring team of dedicated professionals.

Of particular note is how courteous and kind the medical and non-medical staff were at each point of contact with my dad, my wife, and me.

A wonderful bonus was an invitation by close friends to join them for Thanksgiving dinner, and experience their caring friendship.

EXERCISE:

Where in your world can you more fully appreciate or extend the kind and supportive open doors of courtesy?

Examine the service you render

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“Examine the service you are rendering, and especially the spirit in which you are rendering it.”

—Roger Babson, 20th Century American Entrepreneur

Image of a hand holding a flower

Image from Unsplash by Lina Trochez

A few months ago, I attended a seminar on family business, along with about 40 consultants, coaches, and other trusted advisors.

The program was a combination of a panel discussion and group interactions, with a lively Q&A session.

As I listened carefully to the experience some participants shared, I found it difficult to see any dramatic difference between the information, and the scope of the services they provided.

I did, however, notice a considerable level of difference in the energy, enthusiasm, and passion some of these experts expressed. This had me leaning into their comments with greater interest and receptivity.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you upgrade the services you currently offer with a more energized and enthusiastic spirit? How might that upgrade make you stand out from your competition, and put you at the top of the list in your profession?

The test and use of education

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“The test and use of man’s education is that he finds pleasure in the exercise of his mind.”

—Jacques Barzun, 20th Century French-American Historian

Image of a man sitting on a log

Image from Unsplash by Ben White

Perhaps nothing brings us more satisfaction on a daily basis than getting things done. Whether it is building something tangible, solving a challenging problem, or simply making a significant difference in the lives of others, we all need this fix to be pleased with ourselves.

It is likely our need to be useful and make a contribution to those around us that gives our lives meaning.

I have also noticed that most of my coaching clients enjoy exercising their minds, and find considerable enjoyment through continuous learning, which often leads to getting bigger and more significant things done.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways would greater exercise and stretching of your mind provide you the added pleasure of testing yourself, allowing you to get more done and making a bigger difference in your worlds?