“Appeasement is feeding the alligator and hoping he eats you last.”

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Barry

“Appeasement is feeding the alligator and hoping he eats you last.”

—Sir Winston Churchill, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

The political definition of appeasement is “a diplomatic policy of making various forms of concessions to an enemy power in order to avoid conflict.” A notable example was between Great Britain and Nazi Germany in the late 1930s.

A more general definition involves yielding or conceding to the demands of a nation, group or person in a conciliatory effort, sometimes at the expense of justice or other principles.

Today, I suggest that you examine where and at what potential benefit or cost do you see examples of appeasement in your professional or personal lives.

EXERCISE:

Determine where you are simply feeding the alligators in your world, hoping they will eat you last. In what situations would a courageous, principled stance be the way to go?

“You can’t leave a footprint that…”

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Barry

“You can’t leave a footprint that lasts if you’re always walking on tiptoe.”

—Marion Blakely, CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association

Photo from Flickr by dekade

As you close out January, take a moment to look back at 2014 and the first month of 2015. How bold and courageous have you been in the pursuit of your professional or personal goals?

Should you realize that you have been tiptoeing around and playing it too safe, determine how this year will be different.

EXERCISE:

On what issues and projects will you take a bold stance to leave lasting footprints you will look back on next year with pride?

“Life is mostly froth and bubble…”

Posted on November 7, 2014 by Barry

“Life is mostly froth and bubble, two things stand like stone. Kindness in another’s trouble, courage in your own.”

—Adam Lindsay Gordon, 19th century Australian poet, jockey and politician

Photo from Flickr by Ross Elliott

We all know the phrase, “Don’t sweat the small stuff…” In today’s quote, Gordon equates the small stuff with “froth and bubble,” making clear that the small stuff has little or no substance.

But what about the important stuff – the things that require our full attention and commitment?

Gordon is clear in this: be there for others when they are in need, and summon the courage to live our lives to the fullest.

Exercise:

Examine your own life for areas of “froth and bubble,” and choose instead to strengthen the two foundation stones of kindness and courage.

“Do one thing each day that scares you.”

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Barry

“Do one thing each day that scares you.”

—Eleanor Roosevelt, longest-serving First Lady of the United States

Photo from Flickr by Nikki Collett

I’m not a big fan of being scared. I don’t care for heights, roller coasters are not on my list of fun activities, and I’m unlikely to go to scary movies. Why are such activities so popular with many people?

Facing my fears gives me a booster shot of “Aliveness.” When I examine the fears I held as I entered and pursued my career in coaching, these things happened:

I resigned from the stability of a Fortune 500 Company, without a salary to support myself, my wife, and my two young children.
I spent three months networking and reaching out to people I did not know, with no tangible results.
I gave many talks and speeches (public speaking is one of most people’s fears) to numerous groups to create awareness of my services.
I tapped into savings to secure an office instead of working from home to save money.

EXERCISE:

What one thing will you do today that scares you and will help you achieve an authentic goal and fulfill more of your highest potential?

Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Barry

“Courage is being scared to death… and saddling up anyway.”

-John Wayne, American film actor, director, and producer

Photo from Flickr by Insomniacurredhere

Perhaps no movie star epitomizes strength and courage more than John Wayne. Some of his most famous films, in a career that produced 142 pictures, were Stagecoach, Fort Apache, Sands of Iwo Jima, Rio Bravo, El Dorado, and True Grit.

EXERCISE

What one or two current issues or challenges are you facing that require you to summon the courage, saddle up, and do what needs to be done?

“‘Tis very certain the desire of life prolongs it.”

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Barry

“‘Tis very certain the desire of life prolongs it.”

– Lord Byron, English poet

Arthur-3

This week, my family is experiencing the passing of my brother-in-law Arthur. His death is a crushing loss to many friends and family members, and to the medical profession.

Listening to his colleagues describe his passion for life and for helping others was a remarkable testament to his courageous heart and his desire to make a difference under very difficult circumstances.

Exercise:

What relationships, passions, and purposes make you look forward to each and every day?

Pursuing these activities with even greater enthusiasm and engagement will almost assuredly provide you with a more prolonged and fulfilling life.

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Barry

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”

– Anais Nin, author

Image from Flickr by Nono Fara.

Have you ever flown in a hot air balloon? If not, I’d highly suggest it as a must-do for your bucket list.

A couple of years ago, I received a gift of this experience as a surprise for my 33^rd wedding anniversary. The balloon was inflated and the flame from a propane pack heated the air inside it to provide the lift required to rise above our surroundings. We were literally carried away to experience and see some awesome sights.

Exercise:

How can you summon the courage today to passionately expand and lift your own life balloon toward greater personal and professional heights?

the risk to remain tight

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Barry

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

– Anaïs Nin, author

Image from Flickr by Matt Brittaine.

Safety and security are strong values for many people. They represent part of our collective comfort zones that play an important part in who we are. Unfortunately, there is often a very limiting and sometimes painful consequence to this “better safe than sorry” approach to life.

Exercise:

If a flower misses the rain and sunshine by not blooming, what are you potentially missing by not summoning the courage to blossom into your full expression of yourself? What actions will you take today to blossom?

Please reply and let me know what happens.

“With brains, heart and courage, you can achieve anything you desire.”

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Barry

“With brains, heart and courage, you can achieve anything you desire.”

—Inspired by the Wizard of Oz

Image from Flickr by twm1340

When I was a young boy, my family loved The Wizard of Oz. This movie, with its black and white to vivid color transition, amazed all of us with both the images and the compelling story.

If it’s one of your favorites too, you will recall Dorothy’s journey along with the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion to reach the great and powerful Wizard of Oz.

Of course the story line also involves the Scarecrow discovering his brain, the Tin Man finding his heart, and the Lion embracing his courage.

Exercise:

What habits and practices can you develop and undertake in order to fully use your brain, heart and courage to fully achieve your greatest desires?

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.”

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Barry

“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.”

– Mary Anne Radmacher, writer and artist

I love to go to the movies. One of my favorite types are adventure movies – you know, the kind when the hero or heroine summons the courage to overcome seemingly overwhelming odds to reach their goal, get the girl, or achieve some other form of victory. We all love a good story.

Radmacher’s quote touches home for me in that most of us live much quieter, less adventurous lives, where we summon the courage daily to do our best to contribute and serve others at home and at work.

Exercise:

Consider how often, at the end of your day, you feel the satisfaction of knowing that you did what you could with what you had, where you were – knowing and hoping that you could do it again tomorrow.

Capture your thoughts and feelings in a journal or with others.