Three secrets to success Be willing to learn

Posted on August 28, 2025 by Barry

“Three secrets to success: Be willing to learn new things. Be able to assimilate new information quickly. Be able to get along and work with other people.”

—Sally Ride, Late American Astronaut and Physicist

Image from nasa.gov

The late trailblazing astronaut Sally Ride offers three timeless keys to success:

Be willing to learn new things. Curiosity keeps us vital and ahead of the curve.
Be able to assimilate new information quickly. The world moves fast: adapt or be left behind.
Be able to get along with and work with other people. No breakthrough happens in a vacuum; relationships fuel greatness.

EXERCISE:

How can you more fully embrace learning new things, assimilate new information quickly, and nurture teamwork in your world, to rocket your life to new heights?

As far as I can tell, every great advance

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Barry

“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 us 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.

When you’re good at something

Posted on August 26, 2025 by Barry

“When you’re good at something, you’ll tell everyone. When you’re great at something, they’ll tell you.”

—Walter Payton, 20th Century American Football Pro

Image from Unsplash by Jimmy Conover

Our quote today deeply resonates with anyone striving for excellence — in business, sports, or personal growth.

True expertise speaks for itself, transcending the need for self-promotion.

As a coach, I’ve seen how genuine confidence comes not from boasting, but from consistent quality work.

It’s the difference between fleeting bravado and lasting impact.

In a world quick to celebrate overt achievement, Payton’s words remind us to pursue mastery with humility and persistence.

Let your actions elevate you above the noise, and trust that others will recognize excellence on its own terms.

That’s a lesson beyond performance — it’s about character, integrity, and the quiet power of being truly great.

EXERCISE:

In what ways do you demonstrate the character and integrity to let your actions speak louder than words?

What people in your world set a great example of these qualities, to guide and coach you to be an even better version of yourself?

Working with your hands nourishes your mind and your mood

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Barry

Working with your hands nourishes your mind and your mood

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Nadya Spetnitskaya

Engaging in hands-on activities — whether woodworking, gardening, baking, or even simple repairs — provides real and measurable benefits for both mind and mood.

Research shows that working with your hands can reduce anxiety and lower cortisol levels, the body’s stress hormone. Manual work often creates a state of “flow” where hours can pass without notice, offering nourishing mental breaks from screens and notifications.

It also fosters a sense of accomplishment, as you see and hold what you’ve created. Moreover, the tactical experience can uplift spirits and spark creativity, offering an accessible way to unwind and reset.

EXERCISE:

What are some practical ways you can incorporates manual tasks into your daily routines?

What are some creative activities that connect your hands to your heart that you can pursue to further nourish your life?

Friday Review: CHARACTER

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Barry

Friday Review: CHARACTER

What is your definition of character? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“People hear what we say but they see what we do and seeing is believing.”

“If there was no money, and everything depended on your moral standards, the way that you behave, and the way you treated people, how would you be doing in life?”

“Mystery reveals itself to those who maintain an openness of character.”

One moment can change a day

Posted on August 21, 2025 by Barry

“One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Agê Barros

This nugget of wisdom reminds us that every second counts.

It’s easy to forget how powerful a single choice or act can be. Maybe, it’s a smile, a word of encouragement, or a decision to try something new.

Each moment holds the potential for renewal. When we embrace the present, we open doors to change — first in our own lives, then in the lives of those around us.

One inspired day can spark a journey of growth and as we support others, our actions ripple out, changing the world in ways we never imagined.

EXERCISE:

Engage each of your senses by naming five things you can see, four you can feel, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste.

This exercise directs your attention more fully to the present, heightening how quickly moments pass and encouraging greater appreciation of the now.

Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet

Posted on August 20, 2025 by Barry

“Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.”

—Thich Nhat Hanh, late Vietnamese Buddhist monk, author, teacher

Image from Unsplash by Sandro Gonzalez

Today’s quote offers us a beautiful invitation to live with presence and gratitude.

Imagine each step you take as a gentle embrace, honoring the very ground that supports you. This simple shift can transform an ordinary walk into a mindful practice, a moment of connection with ourselves and the world around us.

Try moving a bit more slowly today — soften your steps, pay attention to the sensations underfoot, and let gratitude fill your heart for this beautiful planet we share. In doing so, we nurture not only the earth, but our spirit as well.

EXERCISE:

Take a slow barefoot walk today. Try exploring different surfaces such as grass, sand, or carpet, and reflect with gratitude on all the good things in your life.

Hope is like the sun

Posted on August 19, 2025 by Barry

“Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts a shadow of our burden behind us.”

—Samuel Smiles, Victorian-era British author and Government reformer

Image from Unsplash by Martino Pietropoli

Hope is a powerful force, much like the sun. When we walk in hope, our focus shifts forward, towards possibility and light.

The struggles we carry — worry, fear, and pain, begin to trail behind us, no longer blocking our path.

By keeping our eyes on hope, we allow the warmth of possibility and progress to melt away the grip of our burdens.

It’s not that challenges vanish, but their power to overshadow our journey lessens. Just as the sun’s rising light pushes the darkness behind us, hope invites us to move boldly and optimistically into the future, letting our burdens stay where they belong: in the shadows, not in our way.

EXERCISE:

Commit to doing one small kind act a day for someone else.

Helping others generates positivity and builds a hopeful outlook.

Afterwards, reflect on how these actions made you and those you helped feel lighter.

Take perfection off its pedestal

Posted on August 18, 2025 by Barry

Take perfection off its pedestal and focus on getting good at making repairs when things go wrong or break.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Ricardo Viana

We’ve all been taught to bow at the altar of perfection — flawless performances, impeccable resumes, and gourmet meals without a burnt edge.

But what if our obsession with perfection is costing us more than we gain?

The truth is, perfection is fragile, distant, and downright unattainable. Every misstep feels catastrophic, every scar a failure.

Life is messy. Things crack, plans unravel, mistakes happen.

The real skill isn’t preventing these inevitabilities, but embracing the art of repair. Get good at mending what’s broken — your projects, your relationships, even you own confidence. The world rewards those who adapt, not those who freeze in fear of imperfection.

Perfection is a myth; resilience is real. Embrace and pursue your ability to fix what breaks, and watch your world become less fragile and far more interesting.

EXERCISE:

Choose a current project, relationship, or habit that feels flawed and “broken.” Instead of starting over or giving up, commit to one intentional act of repair, such as a clarifying conversation, a small course correction, or a gesture of kindness.