Life is not a solo performance

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Life is not a solo performance. How and where can you collaborate with others to accomplish an important goal?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Emma Day

Carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders is a task too big for anyone. This may be why the biggest sporting events involve teams working together on the common goal of winning. As spectators in the stands or even in a comfy chair watching TV, we feel the excitement of being part of the effort, especially when celebrating a victory.

Where in your life do you operate as a solo performer?

What is your experience of victory and defeat when you are the only one on the field?

How long do these feelings last?

Where in your world do you partner and collaborate with others on a common goal?

When did you last experience the acronym TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More?

EXERCISE:

What areas of your life would being better together make the biggest difference?

Friday Review: Change

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Friday Review: Change

One thing we know for sure: change is inevitable. Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“We live in an ocean of opportunity. Being mindful of which waves to take will give you the ride of your life.”

 

 

 

“The glassblower knows: While in the heat of beginnings any shape is possible. Once hardened, the only way to change is to break.”

 

 

 

“No man steps in the same river twice.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The truth may be stretched thin, but it never breaks, and it always surfaces above lies, as oil floats on water.”

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“The truth may be stretched thin, but it never breaks, and it always surfaces above lies, as oil floats on water.”

—Miquel de Cervantes Saavedra, from Don Quixote

Image from Unsplash by pisauikan

If the truth is what sets us free, then most of us often find ourselves imprisoned by what we see and experience these days.

Just explore your email, social media feeds, and our political landscape to observe all types of falsehoods that do their best to hold us captive.

EXERCISE:

Where in your world is the truth being stretched thin?

How do you screen out the lies and rise above the many forms of deception waiting to pounce?

Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t

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“Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.”

—Louise Hay, one of the founders of the self-help movement

Image from Amazon

How often do you follow the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?

How are you at following this alternative rule: Do to yourself as you would have others do unto you?

Although most people are aware of their tendency to criticize and feel the sting of criticism when it comes their way, they seldom grasp the magnitude and impact when it comes from within.

EXERCISE:

If self-criticism is an issue impacting your life, consider reading or rereading Taming Your Gremlins by Rick Carson to soothe this savage beast.

“Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”

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“Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”

—Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

Image from Unsplash by Dayne Topkin

Although I tend to avoid absolutes in statements like today’s quote, I do believe Lincoln was on to something with this one.

Consider all the times when you put off and procrastinate on the big and small matters in your life.

How often do you feel the nagging sensation of regret and self-criticism associated with such delays?

Alternatively, how do you feel when you go the extra mile and put a cherry on the top of your day by exceeding your and others’ expectations?

Going to bed with an extra gold star or happy face always feels great!

EXERCISE:

What can and will you do today that you would normally put off until tomorrow?

How will you reward yourself for this extra effort?

Some say that birds of a feather flock together. To expand your world, you may wish to

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Some say that birds of a feather flock together. To expand your world, you may wish to seek out and embrace an odd duck now and then.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Kevin Gedge

Take a few minutes to examine your personal and professional communities.

To what degree do the people around you look, act, and think like you?

Where and in what areas of your life do you observe and participate in groups of people with diverse backgrounds?

Where do you notice some odd ducks that challenge your thinking and your comfort?

Where might you be the odd duck, feeling out of place and awkward?

How do these experiences expand your world and help you grow?

EXERCISE:

How does flying with your current flock limit the places you can go?

How would a few detours with some different birds reveal some new sites to build your next nest?

Friday Review: GOALS

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Friday Review: Goals

How high do you set your goals? How diligently do you pursue them? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“To live only for some future goal is shallow. It’s the sides of the mountain which sustains life, not the top.”

 

 

 

 

“To better the future, we must disturb the present.”

 

 

 

“Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.”

 

 

 

 

“Just keep swimming.”

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“Just keep swimming.”

—Dory, in Finding Nemo

Image from Unsplash by Tyler Nix

I recently watch the Netflix series Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones. During his exploration, author Dan Buettner travels around the world to places such as Okinawa, Sardinia, Singapore, the Greek islands, and even places in the U.S. to discover the secrets of a long and vibrant life.

Among the variety of strategies for living longer, healthier lives is a focus on movement. Unlike many western societies where lifestyles can be fairly sedentary, it is pleasing to see the simple practices of physical daily chores and walking comprise a majority component of their fitness endeavors.

EXERCISE:

Where and how can and do your incorporate movement into your days?

How might a few more laps, a bike ride, walking with friends, or taking the stairs add a few more years to your life and life to your years?

“It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.”

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“It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.”

—Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled The United Kingdom for 70+ years

Image from Unsplash by Caroline Hernandez

Leaping tall buildings in a single bound is the stuff of superman comics.

Although we all want to make a dent in the universe, we so often see only our human limits and often avoid the little steps forward because they appear too small.

We’ve heard time and time again that all great journeys begin with that first step, yet we often forget that it is the second and third that create the momentum to stay the course.

It is also when we step together within our communities that mountains are moved as we shape and reshape our world.

EXERCISE:

Where in your personal or professional life are you reluctant to step forward?

How can and will you partner with others to produce the lasting changes you desire?

“The drop hollows out the stone, not by force but by falling often.”

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“The drop hollows out the stone, not by force but by falling often.”

—Ovid, ancient Roman Poet

Image from Unsplash by Gert Boers

What’s working and going well in your life?

What aspects of your world are not going as you wish?

Where can and do you look for the answers?

Too often, we point to things outside our control for why we feel stalled or stopped. When we do, how often do we appreciate the three fingers in our palms pointing back in our direction?

When we force things in our lives with heroic efforts and they don’t get the job done, we often give up.

It’s us stopping that stops us.

When we explore the aspects of our lives that are working, they work because we do.

It’s our drop by drop, moment by moment, day by day efforts that help us carve out a life of significance and success.

EXERCISE:

What areas of your life would benefit most from your drop-by-drop persistence?

Share your intentions with a coach, colleague, family member, or friend to help you keep your efforts going when things stop flowing.