In your attempts to achieve and succeed, celebrate the efforts not just the outcomes

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In your attempts to achieve and succeed, celebrate the efforts not just the outcomes.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Anna Samoylova

In my most active business development years I invented a point system to keep me motivated and in action. Instead of only looking at my sales metrics for how I was doing, I gave myself points for all actions that could and often did lead to quantifiable results.

Phone calls, emails, social media efforts, and even research on prospective customers all counted. Attending networking functions, scheduling meetings, and even getting business cards and contact information scored points.

At the end of each day, I could quantify my level of activity and knew that my efforts would eventually pay off.

EXERCISE:

Where and how do you celebrate and give yourself credit for your attempts and efforts, regardless of the outcomes?  How would such a practice help keep you motivated when you might otherwise become discouraged?

Friday Review: BEHAVIOR

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Friday Review: BEHAVIOR

What do your behaviors say about you? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

Upgrade your morning routine to get an even better start to your day. What small or significant adjustments will you make?

 

 

 

 

To be. To do. To have. Take life in this order.

 

 

 

 

“Your beliefs don’t make you a better person — your behavior does.”

 

 

 

 

 

Life is harder when you expect a lot of the world and little of yourself

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“Life is harder when you expect a lot of the world and little of yourself. Life is easier when you expect a lot of yourself and little of the world. High standards, Low expectations.”

—James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits

Image from Unsplash by Call Me Fred

How often do you find yourself upset when things don’t go your way?

If we wait for things outside our control to fulfill our expectations, we’re sure to be in for a very bumpy ride.

Alternatively, if we look within our own mindset and efforts, we can definitely adjust our approach to outside events.

EXERCISE:

How can you maintain high standards while monitoring and managing the expectations you have for yourself and the world around you?

“You don’t have to lose something to be searching.”

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“You don’t have to lose something to be searching.”

—Stephen St. Amant, Author of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Marten Newhall

Keys, glasses, cell phone, or important documents are things we commonly misplace.

When you lose something of importance, what is it like to go searching?

Even if we are super organized, with nothing out of place, some things can still feel as if they are missing.

In such cases, the searching may require us to examine new dimensions of living, to discover puzzle pieces we never knew were there.

EXERCISE:

Where are you searching for things to complete the puzzling aspects of your life?

What pieces might you find with an attitude of openness, curiosity, and wonderment, when nothing is actually lost?

“It is not too late to do what you want to do — If you stop waiting for the time to be right.”

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“It is not too late to do what you want to do — If you stop waiting for the time to be right.”

—James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits

Image from Unsplash by Angelina Litvin

A major focus of many of my coaching engagements is assisting people in professional and personal transitions. Many are highly accomplished, and yet never feel ready to step into the unknown.

The need for one more seminar, degree, or other form of outside acknowledgement rarely quells the not-ready-for-prime-time player in them.

Perhaps readiness is simply a myth that we only discover once we begin.

EXERCISE:

In what area of your life are you fearful that it is too late to do what you want to do?

How will you summon the courage to step into the unknown and discover your readiness once you begin?

Each small step forward matters

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Each small step forward matters.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by NASA

Who isn’t familiar with Neil Armstrong’s famous quote, That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind?

Hearing those words never ceases to inspire me with hope for a better future.

Although we all wish to take giant leaps in our lives, those moments are rare. If, however, we focus on how our small steps lead to bigger things, we can all climb steadily to the peaks of our lives and reach for the stars.

EXERCISE:

How can you more fully recognize and acknowledge the small steps you and others take each day?

How can even your atomic efforts result in quantum leaps of achievement and life satisfaction?

Friday Review: Procrastination

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Friday Review: Procrastination

In what aspects of your life are you given to procrastination? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“Step one is to start at step one.”

 

 

 

 

“No one wants to be the skydiver who pulled the rip cord too late.”

 

 

 

“Life lived for tomorrow will always be just a day away from being realized.”

 

 

 

Beauty is a free spirit and will not be trapped within the grid of intentionality.

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“Beauty is a free spirit and will not be trapped within the grid of intentionality.”

—John O’Donohue, late Irish poet, author, priest, and philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Kelly Sikkema

Have you ever tried to be intentionally creative?

Putting your head down and trying to focus on new possibilities is like trying to create breakthrough ideas in a group brainstorming session — it rarely works!

Alternatively, when we relax and have access to a lighter touch and a freer spirit, beautiful things often emerge.

EXERCISE:

Where has the power of intention held you back and limited your creative efforts?

Where might an unfocused or less rigorous approach act as a catalyst for new and wonderful things to occur?

 

I am a citizen of the world

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“I am a citizen of the world.”

—Diogenes, Ancient Greek Philosopher

Image from Unsplash by NASA

When was the last time you voted?

During these opportunities to select our preferred candidates, there are often chances to weigh in on proposals that affect our communities. These decision points give us a chance to influence our world, based on what we value and prioritize.

What would it be like to have a global election in which various proposals to better planet earth were on the ballot?

How might we all exercise our vote to take on and tackle the critical issues that affect all of us as global citizens?

EXERCISE:

What top priority proposals would you expect to find on a global ballot?

How can and do you exercise your vote with your daily efforts to improve things for yourself and your neighbors around the world?

You have power over your mind not outside events

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“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

—Marcus Aurelius, Ancient Roman Emperor and Philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Ümit Bulut

What does it mean to have power over our minds?

If you have ever tried to meditate, you know that this can be a daunting challenge at first. Focusing on something as apparently simple as our breath, a physical sensation, or even a sound in the distance seems to go sideways in seconds.

Marcus Aurelius would probably suggest that instead of powering through our ever-bouncing thoughts, we begin playing with them like a child by simply noticing them and where they take us.

With this initial awareness, we can begin developing our mental muscle and strengthen our capacity to focus its power.

EXERCISE:

What are your preferred approaches to stretch and strengthen your mental muscles?

On what topics and in what ways can you improve your ability to concentrate and focus its power to influence your world?