Tag Archives: self-determination

Discover the freedom and delight in doing things your own way.

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Discover the freedom and delight in doing things your own way.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Gabrielle Henderson

There is a quiet kind of freedom that comes when you stop measuring your life by someone else’s blueprint.

Doing things your own way does not mean rejecting wisdom or ignoring advice—it means choosing the path that fits your values, your pace, and your voice.

When you trust yourself enough to create rather than imitate, life becomes lighter. You spend less energy trying to please everyone and more energy becoming fully yourself.

That is where delight begins:

    • In the simple confidence of knowing you are allowed to be different.
    • In the joy of making choices that feel true.
    • In the courage to live authentically, even when your way is not the crowd’s way.

EXERCISE:

The Gift of Imperfection by Brené Brown is a foundational book to help ground yourself in worthiness, vulnerability, and letting go of others’ expectations.

Our best wins are born of difficulty, uncertainty, and betting on ourselves

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“Our best wins are born of difficulty, uncertainty, and betting on ourselves.”

—Stephen St. Amant, Author of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Donald Giannatti

The best personal wins are rarely comfortable.

They are born in seasons of difficulties, when the path is unclear, the outcome is uncertain, and we have no guarantee except our willingness to keep going.

Growth asks us to bet on ourselves before the evidence arrives. It happens when we choose discipline over doubt, courage over hesitation, and action above overthinking.

These moments of pressure often become moments that define us, because they reveal what we are made of.

Every meaningful breakthrough begins with a risky step into the unknown.

Trust the struggle!

It is not just resistance; it is shaping you into someone stronger, wiser, and more prepared for the rewards on the other side.

EXERCISE:

Try ending each day this week by writing down one win, one lesson, and one thing to improve the following day.

Share this exercise with others in your communities to enhance your progress and momentum to become the best version of yourself.

“Little by little, one travels far.”

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“Little by little, one travels far.”

—Fortune cookie quote

Image from Unsplash by Hayley Murray

We nod at today’s quote as if it’s gentile encouragement, but it’s also a sharp rebuke to our excuses.

We often romanticize quantum leaps and overnight success, then use their rarity to justify our inaction.

Meanwhile, small, consistent steps are sitting there — ordinary, unglamorous, and brutally effective.

Every walk, every difficult conversation, every saved dollar, every page read is a vote for the future you say you want.

The question isn’t “Can I transform my life?” it’s “Will I take today’s small step or keep waiting for a dramatic moment that never comes?”

We don’t drift far by accident. We travel far by choosing “Little by Little” on purpose.

EXERCISE:

Two of the most referenced books on this topic are Atomic Habits by James Clear, and Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg. Another less noted source is One Small Step Can Change your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer.

When you meet someone who doesn’t make excuses

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“When you meet someone who doesn’t make excuses, who doesn’t complain, who just rolls up their sleeves and grits their teeth, the difference is night and day.”

—Dan Cullem, Product Manager at Facebook

Image from Unsplash by dlxmedia.hu

The person described in today’s quote owns their circumstances, no matter how tough the game gets.

They don’t sit back and hope for change, they make it happen. That grit, that relentless drive, separates the dreamers from the doers.

If you want to win in life, start by dropping the excuses and embrace life’s rough edges to smooth your path in the coming days.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life would not making excuses or complaining make the biggest difference?

What gritty roll-up-your sleeves efforts will you take today to rise above your current challenges?

Tune into your energy level and recharge yourself

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Tune into your energy level and recharge yourself well before your battery is exhausted.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Nakie Hammock

Tuning into your energy levels is crucial for maintaining productivity and well-being. Just like a battery, we have limited capacity before we exhaust ourselves.

Recognizing when your energy level is dwindling allows you to take proactive steps to recharge. Engaging in activities that rejuvenate you can help — whether it’s meditation, exercise, spending time in nature, or a good old fashioned nap.

By prioritizing self-care and taking breaks, you can avoid burnout and maintain a consistent flow of energy.

Stay attuned to your body’s signals and recharge regularly to ensure you’re always performing at your best. This mindful approach will keep your energy levels balance and thriving.

EXERCISE:

The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz is one of my favorite resources on energy management.

Here is an excellent nine-minute animated video of its core message, by Productivity Game in February 2018.

I would rather be a little nobody than an evil somebody.

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“I would rather be a little nobody than an evil somebody.”

—Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

Image from Unsplash by Caleb Fisher

What qualities and character traits do you associate with Abraham Lincoln?

What pops in my mind is the moniker “Honest Abe.” A close second is his focus on serving others, and his considerable humility when it came to serving himself.

If you follow the work of Jim Collins, Abe would be considered a level 5 leader. Collins’ work and extensive research focused on making organizations that were built to last, and what it took to have them go From Good to Great.

EXERCISE:

How does today’s quote reflect your views of yourself and the world around you?

How can Lincoln’s words serve as a guide for all of us as we step into each new day?

There are miracles in me waiting their own turn to happen

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“There are miracles in me waiting their own turn to happen. I am never giving up on myself.”

—Rupi Kaur, Canadian poet, illustrator, and photographer

Image from Unsplash by Towfiqu barbhuiya

My wife and I recently finished watching the 46th season of the TV show Survivor. To keep the viewer’s interest the game moves faster and has many more twists and turns than a formula one race.

Instead of a 39-day format each new season is squeezed into 26 days where a widely diverse group of people are placed on an island where their physical, mental, and social skills are tested to their limits and beyond.

I’ve added the word beyond because of the transformative impact this game has on many of the contestants.

Along with the potential of winning a million dollars, a high percentage of players discover new levels of grit and determination that laid dormant prior to the challenges they face by the game and their opponents.

EXERCISE:

What miracles in you are waiting their turn to happen? How can you rally your belief in yourself to not only survive but thrive playing the game of life?

Maintaining healthy boundaries is integral to your well-being

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Maintaining healthy boundaries is integral to your well-being. Be aware of where others end and where you begin.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Drew Hays

Where and when in your world do other people cross the line and encroach on your personal boundaries?

Most of us are familiar with the feeling when our physical space is entered and others are getting too close for comfort. In these cases, moving away and creating more distance usually does the trick.

What other situations do you face where people and things intrude in your world?

Consider your five senses as your “canary in a coal mine,” where various sights, sounds, sensations, smells — and even tastes — can come into play without your full awareness.

EXERCISE:

Conduct a sensory inventory of your environment.

Who are the people and what are the things that diminish your well-being?

What actions can and will you take to keep everything and everyone at a healthy distance?

The reason you have a neck is so that your head can remain above it all

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“The reason you have a neck is so that your head can remain above it all.”

—Tzvi Freeman, Canadian Rabbit and Author

Image from Unsplash by Joe Woods

Over the years, I’ve frequently discussed the value of making important decisions with our head, heart, and gut.

Approaching the anatomy of this, we can note how the head is above the heart and gut with our all-important neck in-between.

Our necks give our heads the ability to be above it all and turn from one path to another when the ones we are on are leading us astray.

EXERCISE:

What areas of your life are filled with others trying to bring you down?

How are these people operating in ways that go against your values and beliefs?

In what ways can you remain above it all to clearly see where to turn and how to proceed?

I only start counting sit ups once it begins to hurt.

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“I only start counting sit ups once it begins to hurt.”

—Muhammad Ali, 20th Century American Boxer and activist

Image from Unsplash by Anastase Maragos

In the early years of my coaching career, I was fortunate to be selected for an amazing assignment — to coach the CEO of an exciting start-up tech company.

I was referred to this individual by another CEO I had been coaching for years, and who happened to be an angel investor in his organization.

Our relationship got off to a wobbly start and we needed a number of check-in sessions to sort out a few areas of misalignment.

The client, who was very direct, eventually told me that he wanted to “feel the burn” in our efforts, much like a personal trainer would do when working with their athletes.

EXERCISE:

In what area of your life would feeling the burn and some pain from your efforts lead you to the gains you seek?