Friday Review: Understanding
What does it mean to truly understand? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.”
When we lack real problems, we create imaginary ones
“When we lack real problems, we create imaginary ones. When we lack meaningful work, we perfect the unimportant.”
—Shane Parrish, Creator of the Farnam Street blog
Image from Unsplash by Roman Melnychuk
Human nature thrives on purpose and challenge.
When we lack real problems to solve, our minds often fill the void by creating imaginary ones — this phenomenon can lead to unnecessary stress and distractions, as we fixate on trivial issues that don’t truly matter.
Similarly, when we lack meaningful work, we tend to perfect the unimportant — spending excessive time refining details that add little value, simply to feel productive.
EXERCISE:
Where in your world are you majoring in the minors of life?
How would greater focus on real issues and meaningful work provide you the results and fulfillment you desire?
“A brand is a promise of what you can expect.”
“A brand is a promise of what you can expect.”
—Author unknown (sometimes attributed to Seth Godin)
Image from Unsplash by Patrik Michalicka
In my work as a coach, we often discuss the importance of authenticity and delivering value. At its core, a brand is precisely that — a promise of what you can expect.
It’s not just a logo or a catchy slogan. It’s the sum total of experiences and perceptions associated with a product, service, or individual.
When you encounter a brand, whether it’s a company or a personal brand, you’re being made a promise.
This promise encompasses quality, reliability, and a specific set of values.
For businesses, it’s crucial to align their brand promise with their actual delivery.
For individuals — especially in coaching and leadership roles — your personal brand is your commitment to how you’ll show up and the value you’ll provide.
Ultimately, a strong brand builds trust and loyalty by consistently meeting or exceeding expectations.
As individuals of integrity, we must remember that our brand is our bond — a promise we make and keep with each interaction.
EXERCISE:
What is your personal brand? How do you communicate it in your words and actions?
If you require clarification on this subject, consider asking members of your family, friends, and professional colleagues for some feedback.
“Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.”
“Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.”
—Will Rogers, 20th Century Cherokee-American actor & social commentator
Image from Unsplash by Kaja Kadlecova
In our journey of personal and professional excellence, it’s easy to get caught up in past experiences, whether positive or negative.
While reflection is valuable, dwelling excessively on yesterday can rob us of the precious moments we have right now.
Today is a gift, brimming with new opportunities for learning, growth, and positive change. By focusing on the present, we open ourselves to fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
As we navigate life’s challenges, let’s remember to honor our past without being anchored by it. Instead, Let’s channel our energy into making the most of today to create even better tomorrows.
EXERCISE:
How much of your today’s are used up by your yesterdays?
How would a clean slate for each new day help you realize far more of your potential for growth and achievement?
For creativity to flourish you need to allow yourself-to
For creativity to flourish, you need to allow yourself to break rules, defy convention, and color outside the lines.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by Glenn Diaz
In the world of creativity, rules are meant to be broken — or at least bent into a pretzel!
Think of Picasso painting with his feet, or Einstein solving math problems in his pajamas.
To be truly innovate, you need to defy convention and color outside the lines. So, ditch the coloring book and grab some crayons!
Draw on the walls, write with your non-dominant hand, or compose music with kitchen utensils. Many of the most brilliant ideas often come from the most unlikely places — and a few scribbles outside the box.
EXERCISE:
Check out Josh Linkner’s book Big Little Breakthroughs: How Small Everyday Innovations Drive Oversize Results.
Friday Review: TRUST
Friday Review: TRUST
How trusting are you? How trust-worthy are you? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Trust is earned when actions meet words.”
“It’s a real pleasure to earn the trust of your customers slowly over time by doing what’s right.”
“Never make a big decision without sleeping on it.”
“Never make a big decision without sleeping on it.”
—Martha Stewart, TV personality, entrepreneur, author, and businesswoman
Image from Unsplash by Sabri Tuzcu
When faced with a big decision, it’s tempting to act impulsively.
However, taking a step back and sleeping on it can be incredibly beneficial.
A night’s rest allows emotions to settle and rational thinking to prevail. This pause gives us time to reflect on potential outcomes and consider different perspectives.
This simple practice can lead to greater clarity and confidence in our choices, ultimately guiding us to more fulfilling and successful lives.
EXERCISE:
Two books that can help you make better personal and professional decisions, especially with a good night’s sleep are:
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Decisive: How to make Better Choices in Life and Work by Chip and Dan Heath
Our senses help us escape the ghettos of our mind
“Our senses help us escape the ghettos of our mind.”
—Author Unknown
Image from Unsplash by Alexander Grey
Our five senses serve as a gateway, liberating us from the confines of our mental ghettos:
- Sight paints the world in vibrant hues, breaking through the monochrome of introspection.
- Sound orchestrates a symphony of life, drowning out the echoes of our inner critic.
- Taste awakens primal pleasures, reminding us of life’s simple joys amidst complex ruminations.
- Smell, with its power to evoke memories, transports us beyond the boundaries of our current mental state.
- Touch connects us to everything and especially to one another to feel a sense of belonging within our world.
Together, these sensory experiences form a bridge between our inner world and the rich tapestry of reality, offering escape routes from the labyrinth of our minds.
EXERCISE:
Consider reading Gretchen Rubin’s book Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World to live a fuller richer life.
Success is no Hocus-Pocus
“Success is no Hocus-Pocus. Success is Focus-Focus.”
—Author Unknown
Image from Unsplash by Stephen Kraakmo
Focus is the cornerstone of both personal and professional success.
By concentrating on specific goals, individuals and groups can achieve clarity and direction, leading to more efficient use of time and resources.
A focused mindset helps prioritize tasks, overcome distractions, and maintain motivation.
In a world with constant distractions, cultivating focus allows you to stay on track and make meaningful progress.
Whether in career achievement or personal growth, maintaining focus is essential for realizing ambitions and reaching our full potential.
It’s a key that unlocks the doors to our dreams and can help makes them a reality.
EXERCISE:
To help you discover the magic of this important skill, please check out the book The Power of Focus written by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Les Hewitt.
Tune into your energy level and recharge
Tune into your energy level and recharge yourself well before your battery is exhausted.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by Nakie Hammock
Tuning into your energy levels is crucial for maintaining productivity and well-being. Just like a battery, we have limited capacity before we exhaust ourselves.
Recognizing when your energy level is dwindling allows you to take proactive steps to recharge. Engaging in activities that rejuvenate you can help — whether it’s meditation, exercise, spending time in nature, or a good old-fashioned nap.
By prioritizing self-care and taking breaks, you can avoid burnout and maintain a consistent flow of energy.
Stay attuned to your body’s signals and recharge regularly to ensure you’re always performing at your best. This mindful approach will keep your energy levels balance and thriving.
EXERCISE:
The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz is one of my favorite resources on energy management.
Here is an excellent nine-minute animated video of its core message, by Productivity Game in February 2018.