Category Archives: Positive

“The key to the future of the world is finding the hopeful stories and letting them be known.”

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“The key to the future of the world is finding the hopeful stories and letting them be known.”

—Pete Seeger, 20th Century American folk singer and social activist

Image from Unsplash by NeONBRAND

Where do you get news about local and global events?

To what extent do these outlets use the “If it bleeds, it leads” approach? What do they do to keep your eyeballs glued to the site, so you also see the ads for various pharmaceutical products to speak about with your doctor?

What percent of these newscasts and articles focus primarily on the negative rather than offering a higher percentage of hopeful stories along with the objective fact-based realities?

Stories of hope, compassion, empathy, and courage can and do inspire us to bring out and express these qualities in our personal and professional communities.

EXERCISE:

What positive and hopeful stories do you write and share, to uplift those around you?

How can and will you inspire others in your world to do the same to raise our global spirits?

Think like a proton and stay positive

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“Think like a proton and stay positive.”

Image of Professor Proton from "The Big Bang Theory"

Image from hollywoodreporter

 

I happen to be a fan of the TV sitcom, The Big Bang Theory. In recent years they added a new character named Professor Proton, played by Bob Newhart.

Professor Proton had a significant influence on young Sheldon, which eventually led him to his career as a theoretical physicist.

Beyond the always humorous, engaging antics of the shows characters, I am always left with pleasant and positive perspective at the closing scene.

EXERCISE:

How can you shift your world from the negativity of an electron or the neutrality of a neutron, to be far more positive – like a proton – today and every day?

The Smile You Gave Me

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“By the way, I’m wearing the smile you gave me.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Flickr by ssofija

Image from Flickr by ssofija

I must be watching too much TV news! The majority of what I see is negative and destructive, particularly in the political arena. Apparently, it is as contagious as the flu or a bad cold;  I see many people coming down with this unfortunate disease.

There is a cure to which we can all subscribe, one on which it is impossible to overdose!

You probably guessed it…

The cure is positivity, and the many forms it takes in bringing smiles to faces, and dramatically lightening the heavy loads many of us carry. It is a kind hello, remembering someone’s name, holding a door, or being helpful in some other way.

We could all use a big dose of positivity these days.

EXERCISE:

Please consider replying to this post with your own examples of the sure bet, smile-generating strategies you share with those you support personally and professionally.

“Every time you subtract negative from your life, you make room for more positive.”

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“Every time you subtract negative from your life, you make room for more positive.”

– Unknown

537Image from Flickr by katerha.

One of my favorite coaching exercises is “More, Less, Start, Stop.” The objective is to rebalance our professional and personal worlds by imagining how our lives would be more fulfilling and happier if we could only start, or do more of, the activities that fit with our visions and values.

Of course, to make room for these efforts, we must do less of, or completely stop, those activities that are unfulfilling or negative.

Exercise:

Do your own “More, Less, Start, Stop” exercise with a close friend, colleague, family member, or coach, to help you make room for more of what you desire from life.

Consider reading Marcus Buckingham’s book The One Thing You Need to Know (www.amazon.com/One-Thing-You-Need-Know/dp/0743261658) to see how this idea relates to your professional and personal success.

“Negative people need drama like oxygen. Stay positive, it’ll take their breath away.”

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“Negative people need drama like oxygen. Stay positive, it’ll take their breath away.”

– Tony Gaskins, American life/relationships coach

508Image from Flickr by GYLo.

I’ve been reading a book on leadership by Ari Weinzweig. The chapter I just finished was on the importance of energy management and how critical it is for both individuals’ and organizations’ productivity and success.

Negative people and the drama they create (or perpetuate) literally sucks the energy and life out of an organization. In the quote above, Gaskins is suggesting that by monitoring the amount of drama and negativity and boosting our positivity, we can extinguish their destructive forces.

Exercise:

How can you notice, eliminate or at least diminish the negative people in your world, to take away their breath and extinguish their destructive energy-draining capacities?

What optimistic and energy-boosting people and resources can you use to infuse your organization or community with the fun, engagement and productivity you desire?

“It is the writer’s privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart.”

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 “It is the writer’s privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart.”

– William Faulkner, writer and Nobel Prize winner

Perhaps one of the main reasons I have collected quotes for much of my professional life is because they lift my heart. Seeing the value in this idea must have been the reason I developed The Quotable Coach series and share these ideas with you and others.

Exercise:

Today it is your turn to do one of two exercises.

The first is to simply forward the link to The Quotable Coach series at www.thequotablecoach.com and share this resource with others who you care about and who may benefit.

The second is to develop a guest post of your own, by following the guidelines below, to share your own uplifting message with others:

  • Quotes of one, two and a maximum of 3 sentences are preferred.
  • Share a real world story or piece of useful information that demonstrates this quote’s application.
  • Provide a simple and straightforward exercise to help the reader apply this idea in their own personal and professional life.
  • Include a sentence of biographical information (with your name or pen name). We encourage you to use this as an opportunity to link to your website, LinkedIn profile, or other web presence.
  • Send your finished piece to me (barry@dempcoaching.com). We may make minor edits for house style or space requirements.

Please let me know if you choose to participate and I will forward you a copy of my three workbooks. Thanks in advance.