Friday Review: VULNERABILITY

Friday Review: VULNERABILITY

How willing are you to be vulnerable? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“You don’t protect your heart by acting like you don’t have one.”

 

 

 

 

“People who need help sometimes look a lot like people who don’t need help.”

 

 

 

 

“If you want to avoid criticism, create less. If you want to avoid irrelevance, create more.”

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re a mom, you’re a superhero

“If you’re a mom, you’re a superhero. Period.”

Rosie Pope, British-born American entrepreneur

Image from Unsplash by Xavier Mouton Photographie

Today’s quote perfectly captures the extraordinary strength and dedication inherent in motherhood.

Moms juggle countless roles daily: nurturer, teacher, protector, and more, often without recognition or rest.

Their love fuels resilience, empowering them to overcome challenges and provide unwavering support for their children.

It honors the quiet heroism in every mother’s journey reminding us that the sacrifices and unconditional love they give is nothing short of superhuman.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can and will you celebrate the heroic moms in your life? How can you make Sunday May 11th and everyday one where they get the full recognition they deserve?

Sooner or later we all sit down to a banquet of consequences.

“Sooner or later we all sit down to a banquet of consequences.”

Robert Louis Stevenson, 19th Century Scottish novelist, essays, and poet

Image from Unsplash by Tim Pack

Today’s quote is a powerful reminder that our choices — big and small — ultimately shape our lives.

It encourages us to see every decision as a seed planted for the future. Some yield sweet fruit, while others may bring lessons wrapped in challenges.

The “banquet” is not just about judgement — it’s an invitation to take responsibility and learn from our actions.

In the process of coaching, we focus on intentionality, choosing wisely, acting with integrity, and embracing accountability.

When we reflect on our daily choices, it’s helpful to ask: What kind of banquet am I preparing for myself and other?

Your future self will thank you for the care you take today.

EXERCISE:

In what ways do you accept and demonstrate accountability and responsibility in your personal and professional life?

How does embracing these qualities provide a banquet of positive consequences for yourself and others☹?

Over the long run, it matters less how often you’re the best

“Over the long run, it matters less how often you’re the best at whatever you take on, and matters more how often you give your best to whatever you take on.”

Rohan Rajiv — author of A Learning a Day blog

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

Consistent effort outweighs occasional success. Being the best in the moment is fleeting, but consistently showing up with your best builds true growth and resilience.

When you focus on giving your best, regardless of the outcome, you develop skills, character, and confidence that endures. This mindset encourages perseverance and personal excellence, turning challenges into opportunities to improve.

Ultimately, success is less about winning every time and more about committing wholeheartedly to each task, making life far more meaningful and fulfilling.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you shift your focus from external validation to one of personal effort and consistency?

What will the long run benefits be to you and others by choosing this approach in whatever you do?

Sometimes it’s nice to let life unfold without having to do anything

Sometimes it’s nice to let life unfold without having to do anything.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Ed Stone

Sometimes, the best thing we can do is simply let life unfold naturally. In a world that constantly urges us to hustle, plan, and control every outcome, pausing to embrace the flow can be incredibly refreshing.

Not every moment requires action or decision. Trusting life allows us to find peace in uncertainty and discover opportunities we might have missed while rushing.

Today’s quote is a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the present as it is.

By surrendering control occasionally, we open ourselves to growth, creativity, and unexpected joy. Life’s beauty often reveals itself when we stop trying so hard to shape it.

EXERCISE:

What are some ways that you can recognize and accept that there is a natural order to life and that you cannot control everything?

Try starting out each day with a blank slate and allow life’s unfolding guide the way.

 

Friday Review: Vision

Friday Review: Vision

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

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while or the light won’t come in.”

 

 

 

 

 

“Approach every task as though it were the moment that will define you.”

 

 

 

 

 

“A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.”

 

 

 

 

Listening is a magnetic and strange thing

“Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force…”

Karl A. Menniger, 20th Century American psychiatrist, author, and activist

Image from Unsplash by Joel Danielson

Full Quote: “Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who listen to us are the ones we move toward. When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand.”

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Listening to others is a powerful tool that attracts people to us and also helps them grow.

When we genuinely listen, we show that we value and respect their thoughts and feelings.

This creates a sense of connection and trust, drawing people closer.

By actively listening we also help others clarify their ideas and gain new insights, which can expand their potential and foster personal growth.

As they feel heard and understood, they become more confident and motivated to explore new possibilities.

These mutual benefits strengthen relationships and inspire positive change, making listening a simple yet profound way to build connections and empower others.

EXERCISE:

How can you expand your view of listening as a powerful creative force? In what ways can you more fully develop this skill to both attract others and bring out their best?

Those who fear appearing foolish

“Those who fear appearing foolish rarely discover anything new. The genius of tomorrow often looks like an idiot today.”

Shane Parrish, Creator of the Farnum Street Blog

Image from Unsplash by Jakob Owens

Today’s quote highlights the importance of embracing risk and uncertainty in the pursuit of innovation.

Fear of ridicule can stifle creativity and hinder progress. History is filled with examples of visionaries who were initially mocked but later celebrated.

By embracing the possibility of appearing foolish, we open ourselves to new ideas and discoveries.

EXERCISE:

Where has fear of judgement and appearing foolish stopped you from pursuing a new idea or project?

What is it costing you when you hold back your genius and innovative spirit?

How can and will you summon the courage and persistence to express yourself fully to make your mark?

It’s what you think of yourself that truly matters!

“Trust is earned in drops and lost in buckets.”

“Trust is earned in drops and lost in buckets.”

—Attributed to several people, including Kevin Kelly and Keven Plank

Image from Unsplash by Darko Kriznik

Today’s quote is a poignant reminder of the delicate nature of trust.

Building trust requires consistent effort and reliability, with each small act contributing to a reservoir of faith.

Even a single betrayal, however, can drain this reservoir instantly, highlighting how fragile trust can be.

This principle underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and transparency in our relationships.

By recognizing the value of trust and the ease with which it can be lost, we can strive to nurture it with care and honesty, fostering stronger and more resilient personal and professional connections.

EXERCISE:

Consider reading The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey and The Trusted Advisor by David H. Maister.  I’d also be happy to send you a copy of my trust-o-meter assessment if you email me at barry@dempcoaching.com

When you find yourself at a fork in the road

When you find yourself at a fork in the road, do you decide or slide?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Caleb Jones

Today’s quote prompts us to reflect on our decision-making processes.

In life, we often encounter moments in which choices must be made. Deciding involves taking control, weighing options, and moving forward with intention.

Sliding, on the other hand, can lead to missed opportunities and regret by mindlessly staying the course we happen to be on.

Embracing decision-making empowers us to shape our futures and grow from our experiences.

By choosing to decide, we assert our agency and move closer to our goals, fostering personal growth and fulfillment.

Our choices define our journey.

EXERCISE:

Where are you at a critical juncture in your life?

Where can intentional decision making versus passively drifting through life’s choices make all the difference?