Category Archives: Perspective

“I would like to travel..”

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“I would like to travel the world with you twice. Once, to see the world. Twice, to see the way you see the world.”

—Author Unknown

Photo from Flickr by Nilanjan Sasmal

Photo from Flickr by Nilanjan Sasmal

The majority of my coaching clients would include travel as one of their core values. They want to see and experience more of the world with the precious time they have left. To some extent, they have a bit of regret that they haven’t made a bigger dent in their bucket lists.

Have you ever noticed how much joy and excitement is experienced when a baby is born?  Perhaps it is because this new life allows all of us—especially the new parents and grandparents—to start a new life “adventure” with a child who is seeing the world for the first time.

EXERCISE:

How can you be far more intentional in your efforts to see and experience the world, and at the same time, double your pleasure by looking through the eyes of those who share the adventure?

“All things come to pass.”

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“All things come to pass.”

—Heraclitus, pre-Socratic Greek Philosopher

Photo from Flickr by Kpcmobile

Photo from Flickr by Kpcmobile

We’ve all heard the phrase “Nothing Lasts Forever.” This, of course, includes the good things as well as the bad. After each great storm the sun shines again, and then the clouds and storms return.

Given these facts, how might we gain power from Heraclitus’ words of wisdom? Perhaps we can choose an optimistic frame of reference to both maximize and celebrate the good in life, and also minimize the times when life brings us down.

EXERCISE:

How can you accentuate the positive and eliminate or at least minimize the negative, which will come to pass throughout your day?

Consider making the exercise above a daily practice to support you in living an even more extraordinary life.

“If time were to take on…”

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“If time were to take on human form, would she be your task master or freedom fighter?”

—Richie Norton, author, entrepreneur, strategic advisor

Photo from Flickr by Gioia De Antoniis

Photo from Flickr by Gioia De Antoniis

Each of has the same 24-hours in our day. Some view this “life capital” from a constraining, scarcity perspective, thinking there is never enough. This often reflects on their attitudes and their level of fulfillment and engagement.

Others view time with an attitude of abundance. They champion and make the most of every moment, fully embracing the gifts each day can bring.

EXERCISE:

What adjustments can you make to your views about time to become more of a “freedom fighter” and less of the “taskmaster”?

“There are people who would love to have your bad days.”

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“There are people who would love to have your bad days.”

—Author Unknown

Photo from Flickr by Tristan Bowersox

Photo from Flickr by Tristan Bowersox

A few weeks ago I visited my family physician. I was having a difficult time with a challenging bug affecting a lot of people.

My symptoms included sneezing, sinus congestion, a headache, a scratchy throat, and every coach’s occupational nightmare – laryngitis. My voice vacillated between bullfrog and complete silence.

My appointment time was 3:00 p.m.; I was still in the waiting room at 3:50. The only distraction was the video wall, showing the four seasons at a number of beautiful locations, and other images in the natural world.

Perhaps the most revealing way in which I passed the time was in observing other patients and their significant health challenges. It caused me to shift my perspective of my own “monumental” situation.

EXERCISE:

Notice how often you make mountains out of molehills, or major in the minors of life. Realize all the goodness and reasons for gratitude that surround you. How many people do you see in the course of your days that would prefer to have your life, even when you are having a bad day?

“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.”

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“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.”

– George Santayana, philosopher and writer

592Image from Flickr by thekeithhall.

Consider the following phrases:

  • Thank God it’s Friday.
  • I can’t wait until I retire.
  • I’m dreading going back to work.
  • I’ll be happier when…
  • I hate the cold and snowy winters.
  • The summer is too hot and sticky.

Rarely are people completely happy with their current situation. If they are, it is often episodic and temporary, due to the fact that things are always changing.

The people who seem to be the happiest make the most of every situation they encounter. These people usually bring along a positive attitude and a sunny disposition.

Exercise:

How can you accept and make the most of every situation today, to bring a little more springtime wherever you go and whatever you do?

“It’s amazing how a little tomorrow can make up for a whole lot of yesterday.”

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“It’s amazing how a little tomorrow can make up for a whole lot of yesterday.”

– John Guare, American playwright

485Image from Flickr by symphony of love.

How happy are you at this very moment? Notice what is going on around you and pay particular attention to your thoughts. Do you think more about the past, present or future? Virtually all coaching relationships pay attention to all three, focusing particularly on each client’s intended vision for the future.

Regardless of whether your yesterday was good, bad or somewhere in between, a little tomorrow, with its hope and intended advancement, can be a great life elixir to pick you up.

Exercise:

As you look back on yesterday, complete today, and look forward to tomorrow, what do you notice?

Feel free to reply with any insights you have.

“Look at everything as though you are seeing it for the first time, with the eyes of a child, fresh with wonder.”

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“Look at everything as though you are seeing it for the first time, with the eyes of a child, fresh with wonder.”

– Joseph Cornell, artist and sculptor

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Image from Flickr by a_whisper_of_unremitting_demand
I just returned from my morning workout at my local fitness center. Guess what I found?  You’re right – lots of new faces intending to start off the new year with a renewed commitment to their fitness and well being.

The annual New Year celebration in Times Square often includes an aging Father Time and a newborn representing the year ahead.

Take Cornell’s coaching here and begin by looking at all things in the light of wonder and possibility, to make this your best year ever.

Exercise:

Look at your current vocation, avocations, relationships, habits and even your food choices, and explore tasting and experiencing all of these with a fresh new perspective.

Consider replying to let me know what actions you take and what happens.

“I believe in getting into hot water. It keeps you clean.”

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“I believe in getting into hot water. It keeps you clean.”

– G.K. Chesterton, novelist

Do you ever feel like one day seems to run into the next, where things seem to be a bit dull or routine? Perhaps we can do as G.K. Chesterton suggests and rinse off the dirt and freshen up a bit … even if that means risking something new.

I know I feel much better when I splash a bit of water on my face to renew myself for what’s next to come in my day.

Exercise:

What areas of hot water can you get yourself in today to brighten up what’s ahead?

(You may need to risk not complying and not fitting in!)

“Instead of seeking new landscapes, develop new eyes.”

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“Instead of seeking new landscapes, develop new eyes.”

– Marcel Proust, novelist

The capacity to perceive things is perhaps one of the most important aspects of coaching. The current paradigms and mental models that we have developed over the course of our lives both serve and limit us at the same time. Our eyes are the proverbial lenses through which we view the world around us.

Just as a pair of sunglasses modifies the intensity of light on a sunny day, our willingness to view things in a new light creates the opportunity for new and more useful perspectives to emerge.

Exercise:

Imagine that you’ve just returned from laser surgery or a cataract procedure. The surgeon has given you two new eyes that not only have you see more clearly but also enhance your capacity of seeing opportunities and beauty, and give you greater creativity, innovation, positivity, gratitude and overall happiness.

The war between optimists and pessimists

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 “The optimist already sees the scar over the wound; the pessimist sees the wound underneath the scar.”

– Ernst Schroder, mathematician

The war between optimists and pessimists has raged since the beginning of time. Which camp are you in? For the purpose of this post, please don’t take the back door and choose “realist” – though I do appreciate you thinking outside the box!

It turns out that both strategies come in pretty handy, depending on the situation. Optimists tend to have a promotion focus on growth and advancement. Pessimists, on other hand, tend to be more focused on security and safety. Schroeder was probably an optimist, given the fact that a scar is a protective and healing phenomenon supporting new growth.

Exercise:

Where are you engaged in the rapid healing and growth from wounds you may recently have experienced?

Where are you still feeling the wounds of the past that should have fully healed by now?