Tag Archives: progress

As far as I can tell, every great advance

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“As far as I can tell, every great advance — whether in an individual life or the world at large — has come from dreams and attempts. Devise more dreams. Make more attempts.”

—James Clear, American writer and speaker

Image from Unsplash by Carolyn Christine

Our nugget of wisdom today is a powerful reminder that progress starts with sparks of imagination and committed action.

Every breakthrough, from personal growth to global innovation, begins as a vision in someone’s mind — followed by the courage to try, even in the face of uncertainty.

We all have dreams — big or small — that often stay hidden because we fear failure.

Clear encourages use to not only dream more, but to take the crucial next step: attempt.

When we dare to pursue new ideas and opportunities, we open the door to growth, discovery, and lasting change.

Let’s give ourselves permission to dream boldly, and act bravely!

EXERCISE:

Commit to trying one new thing or taking one bold step toward a goal each week.

Track your attempts, regardless of the outcome, and reflect on what you learned from each experience.

The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon

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“The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but to hold a man’s foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher.”

—Thomas Huxley, 19th Century English Biologist

 Image from Unsplash by James Quinerie

Today’s quote is a powerful reminder that progress is built on movement, not comfort. Each rung of a ladder represents a step forward — an achievement or challenge that prepares us for the next.

If we become too comfortable at any stage, we risk stagnation and miss the chance to reach our full potential.

Life’s journey is about continual growth using every experience as a foundation to climb higher. The purpose of every rung is to help us rise, not become a place of rest.

EXERCISE:

In what areas of your personal and professional life have you stopped climbing?

Where is it time to take the next step or even move your ladder to a new wall to continue your journey?

Bring patience to your path. See each step as progress and move forward at your own pace.

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Bring patience to your path. See each step as progress and move forward at your own pace.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Tamara Manzi

Many people operate at a fast pace in almost everything they do these days.

How fast do you talk, walk, eat, and drive?

What are some of the benefits of moving in the fast lane?

What are the negative consequences of always being in a hurry?

For many of us, our pace is ingrained and set on auto pilot with only modest awareness.

How might a slower and more patient pace of living offer hidden benefits?

Where would a steady as she goes approach help you arrive more safely and sanely to your desired destinations?

EXERCISE:

Where in your life would a slow is smooth and smooth is fast approach make the biggest difference?

Where can and will you bring greater patience to your path beginning today?

Take a broader view of your track record

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Take a broader view of your track record. What did you pick up and learn when you fell? How quickly did you stand again to give things another go?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Nils Huenerfuerst

Just before 7:00 each morning you can find me playing Wordle. I consider it a form of cerebral stretching that helps me warm up my mental muscles. My interest in its statistical feedback is one of the reasons I haven’t missed a day in over a year.

In the early stages of my Wordle-ing efforts it often took more attempts to solve each puzzle. On a number of occasions, I failed completely.

Every few months I evaluate my progress with some grade school arithmetic to get a broader view of my running average score.

EXERCISE:

Where would taking a broader view of your track record over time serve you best? What critical lessons have your learned? What motivates you to keep going when you occasionally stumble or fall?

“In the game of life, there’s no high score list, but you never want to languish on level one.”

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“In the game of life, there’s no high score list, but you never want to languish on level one.”

—Jay Shetty, life coach and former Hindu monk

Image from Unsplash by Erik Mclean

I’ve never been a big fan of video games. Except for space invaders and PAC Man many years ago, I never seemed to get the rush of leveling up in the multitude of games and systems that came after.

I have, however, always been interested in the game of life and the pursuit of growth and achievement. Tackling some worthy objective that filled my desire to learn and feel purposeful always had me want to take the next steps in my capabilities and impact.

EXERCISE:

Where do you have a keen desire to level up and build on your current abilities?

How can you measure your progress in these areas with your own inner scoreboard?

One small crack does not mean you are broken

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“One small crack does not mean you are broken, it means that you were put to the test and you didn’t fall apart.”

—Linda Poindexter, @PoindexterLinda on Twitter

Image from Unsplash by Johnny Cohen

In professional sports virtually all athletes play hurt on some or many occasions. Aches, pains, strains, and sprains are the price of their efforts to excel. We loyal fans cheer them on as they continue to test themselves and pursue victory.

Over the past two months I’ve been going to physical therapy to strengthen my right knee, which has been causing me some pain and instability.

During my regular visits I’ve met dozens of other patients who also have experienced a variety of physical setbacks.

It’s been nice to see all of them progressing with the targeted therapies and supportive staff assisting their efforts.

EXERCISE:

Where are you noticing a few cracks in your personal armor?

Where and how is life testing you?

How can you acknowledge the champion spirit within that has you continue to suit up and get back in the game?

“We do not appreciate inertia’s power over us.”

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“We do not appreciate inertia’s power over us.”

—Marshall Goldsmith, American leadership coach and author

Image from Unsplash by The Creative Exchange

Inertia is the tendency to do nothing or remain unchanged. With the social distancing, stay-at-home guidelines and other efforts to fight COVID-19, our world and our lives slowed down considerably.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Consider your vocational efforts, eating habits, sleep schedule, and level of exercise as places to look. Where in these and other important areas of life have you progressed, stayed about the same, or let the power of inertia have its way with you?

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can and will you break free of this force so that you can soar even higher and farther?

Progress is a nice word

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“Progress is a nice word. But change is its motivator, and change has its enemies.”

—Robert F. Kennedy, 64th Attorney General of the United States of America

Immunity to Change book cover

Image from Amazon

Change or die.

What if you were given that choice?

For real.

What if it weren’t just rhetoric that confuses corporate performance, or life success in general, with life or death?

What if your physician said you had to make tough changes to the way you think and act, or your time would end soon?

Could you change?

The scientific studies in Alan Deutschman’s 2005 Fast Company article puts the odds at nine-to-one. That’s nine-to-one against you.

Progress involves leaving where you are to go to a better place ahead. It is a nice word, and does not appear to have much drama. It does, however, still involve change, and there are forces/enemies that slow it down or stop it on many occasions.

EXERCISE:

Consider checking out the Fast Company article, or look into the book Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lisa Kaskow Lahey for greater insights into this fascinating topic.

Take The Oars

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“If the wind will not serve, take the oars.”

—Latin Proverb

Image of oars


Image from Flickr by Sarah Brabazon

Have you ever been sailing, wind surfing, flown a kite, or even played golf on a breezy day?

What was it like in terms of your progress and level of success when the wind was at your back?

It’s pretty great when we get an assist to help us on our journey!

All to often, however, life doesn’t provide the winds that serve us, and in some cases, the headwinds of life come directly at us to thwart our efforts.

EXERCISE:

Where and on what personal or professional issue is it time to “take the oars” and do the difficult and challenging work that will get you where you wish to go?