Tag Archives: The Quotable Coach

“When will you begin that long journey into yourself?”

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“When will you begin that long journey into yourself?”

—Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, 13th-century Persian poet and scholar

Image from Unsplash by Nick Fewings

Over the past seven months, I’ve filled my gas tank once, and have driven less than 500 miles. With limited ventures out for only essential resources and services and some retooling to work exclusively from my home office, my long journeys in the outer world have stopped.

With numerous shifts in my daily routine, I have added far more inner journeys through quiet walks, meditation, reading, and writing. In many ways my passion and pursuit of my own growth and development have expanded and deepened more than at any other time in my life.

Taking this time to journey further within has been more rewarding than I ever expected.

EXERCISE:

What are some of the ways you have begun to journey within?

What have you discovered about yourself and your world?

In what way do you intend to go further, to tap your own inner wisdom?

Feel free to reply to this post to share your own efforts and progress in this area.

Friday Review: Vision

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FRIDAY REVIEW: VISION

How clear is your vision for yourself and your future? Here are a few vision-related posts you may have missed.

 

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”

 

 

 

“What we see when watching others depends on the clarity of the window through which we look.”

 

 

 

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars.”

 

 

 

 

 

“The man or woman who treasurers his friends is usually solid gold himself.”

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“The man or woman who treasurers his friends is usually solid gold himself.”

—Marjorie Holmes, 20th Century American columnist & author

Two of our most treasured friends live near Poughkeepsie, New York. Wendy and I first met Emmy and Clark in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Every August since 1984 we’ve joined them for a week at our annual timeshare, Shawnee on the Delaware. Beyond these annual vacations, we have stayed in touch to share many happy times, including birthdays, BBQs and other family celebrations.

Over the years, Emmy has sent us hundreds of handmade, personalized purple cards, to let us know we are in her thoughts. During some of our most challenging times, we would receive these “Pick Me Up” purple messages each week.

EXERCISE:

Who are the solid gold friends in your life? What purple card-like gesture can you offer these special people to more fully demonstrate how much you treasure them?

“We are the warriors of light. With the force of our love and our will, we can change our own destiny and that of many other people.”

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“We are the warriors of light. With the force of our love and our will, we can change our own destiny and that of many other people.”

—Paulo Coelho, Author of The Valkyries

Image from Unsplasy by Dewang Gupta

To process today’s quote, consider yourself one of the heroic characters in the Star Wars saga. Armed with your light saber—and of course The Force,—what causes and quests have your focus?

Where are you taking a stand for matters that align with your values and core principles? What friends, colleagues, and family members share these views you consider worth fighting for?

EXERCISE:

How can and will you more fully demonstrate your love and will to realize your destiny for yourself and others in your communities?

“You cannot look in a new direction by looking harder in the same direction.”

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“You cannot look in a new direction by looking harder in the same direction.”

—Edward de Bono, Author of Six Thinking Hats

Image from Unsplash by marianne bos

Many of us are doing a lot more thinking about our thinking these days. With things changing all around us, most of us are taking significantly more time to explore our perspectives, attitudes, and values.

Where has this expanded and broader view taken you? Where are you simply looking harder in the same direction, hoping for the old normal?

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you move beyond looking harder in the same direction to take some new and courageous steps in a better direction?

Please reply to this post with any insights you are inspired to act upon today.

“Politeness is an inexpensive way of making friends.”

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“Politeness is an inexpensive way of making friends.”

—William A. Feather, 20th Century American publisher and author

Image from csbcorrespondent.com

How familiar are you with the 10 / 5 Rule?

In the hospitality industry, this rule dictates that when a staff member is ten feet from a guest, they smile and make direct eye contact.

When a staff member is within five feet, they greet the guest with a salutation such as Hello or Good Morning.

My modified version of this rule takes place on my daily morning walks when I wave at the people in cars and say hello to my fellow walkers and their dogs, making sure we are at least six feet apart.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can and will you apply the polite no-cost gesture of the 10/5 Rule in your world, to make a few more friends?

Friday Review: Generosity

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FRIDAY REVIEW: GENEROSITY

How can and will you demonstrate a generous spirit over the coming months? Here are a few generosity-related posts you may have missed.

 

“One of the sanest, surest and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others.”

 

 

 

 

“To have what you want, don’t want it—give it.”

 

 

 

 

“Ideas, bread, and books are all the same. They’re better when they are shared.”

 

 

 

 

“Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices – just recognize them.”

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“Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices—just recognize them.”

—Edward R. Murrow, 20th Century American Broadcaster

Image from Unsplash by Sharon McCutcheon

Edward R. Murrow was an American broadcast journalist and war correspondent. He first gained prominence during World War II with a series of live radio broadcasts from Europe. One of his numerous noteworthy accomplishments was his TV program “See it Now,” which helped expose and censure Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Murrow’s fellow journalists considered him one of journalism’s greatest figures, noting his honesty and integrity in delivering the news. Much of the public at the time agreed.

EXERCISE:

What news sources do you trust to deliver current events with honesty and objectivity? How can we more fully recognize and appreciate the unconscious biases created through our life experiences?

How might the reporting of Edward Murrow, if he were working today, help release us from theses prisons?

“Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.”

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“Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.”

—Marilyn vos Savant, American author

Image from Unsplash by Jaime Spaniol

How many personal or professional battles are you fighting? Where are you winning? Where are you losing? Consider also looking into your past to examine examples from earlier times.

Where have and are you persisting in your efforts with grit, tenacity, and determination?

Where have and are you giving up and throwing in the towel?

The saying goes that lessons in life are only fully learned after you take the test.

EXERCISE:

How would the perspective of “This is Only a Test” inspire you to rise above and stay the course, to realize even greater current and future victories?

“You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time.”

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“You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time.”

—J.S. Knox, 19th Century British Author

Image from Unsplash by Elijah Macleod

How would you rate yourself as a salesperson, a leader, an effective parent, or simply as a person having a positive impact on others?

Fundamental to all those capabilities is the ability to influence others and engender in them an idea that already resonates within them.

Who are the people in your world that influence you to buy in to their ideas and vision, which already align with your own?

Alternatively, who are the people who antagonize or at least rub you the wrong way? How do you respond to their ideas and efforts to persuade you to think and act as they wish?

EXERCISE:

How can and will you adjust your approach with others in your personal and professional communities to have far greater influence in your world?