Nip it in the bud

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Barry

“Nip it in the bud!”

—Author Unknown

Image of fingers pinching off a new leaf

image from haveyoueverpickedacarrot.com

Today’s quote comes from the world of horticulture, where trimming a bud from a plant prevents it from becoming a flower or a piece of fruit.

Since most of us appreciate the beauty of flowers and the sweet taste of fruit, it would seem there would be little use for that advice, but this form of gardening prevents overgrowth or the spreading of unwanted issues.

As a metaphor in our lives, nipping things in the bud is a good practice when we wish to stop a potential problem before it blossoms into a major issue.

EXERCISE:

Where and on what issue would nipping it in the bud serve you best, personally or professionally?

The Perfect Moment

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Barry

“Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Take the moment and make it perfect.”

—Author Unknown

Image from blogs.reading.ac.uk

In the past few months, I’ve read several blog posts on the topic of perfection and excellence, all focused on the debate between quantity and quality.

The real question is, how are you wired?

Do you go for perfection through extensive planning, strategizing, thinking, and rethinking?

Or do you jump in and get started making something that can be tweaked along the way?

Given many people’s desire to do it right the first time, some of us wait for the “perfect moment” to begin. Beginning, and the idea of doing many experiments from which we can learn seems to be the way things are headed. Albert Einstein said, “ How do I work? I grope.”

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you stop waiting for the “perfect” moment, and instead make more moments perfect?

actions speak louder

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Barry

“Actions speak louder than words, but not nearly as often.”

-Mark Twain, pen name of American Writer Samuel Longhorne Clemens

image from activerain.com

Who do you trust the most in your personal and professional lives?

Please name a few people, then examine the basis you have for instilling this level of trust in them. How often do these individuals walk their talk? Do they consistently do what they say they will do?

Who in your world do you distrust? Again, name some names to add greater clarity to this exercise. How often do these individuals exhibit the adage, “Talk is Cheap”? How often do they over-promise and under-deliver?

Who within your personal or professional communities would place you on the first list rather than the second?

EXERCISE:

Consider taking my 10-minute Trust-o-Meter Assessment to examine the degree of trust you inspire in your friends, family, and colleagues.

Put your light on the table

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Barry

“Put your light on the table where it can shine, without blinding others.”

—Laurent F. Carrel, Messages from Melanie

Image from workwithreema.wordpress.com

Most people would agree that bragging, showing off, and calling excessive attention to ourselves are unbecoming traits. A question to ponder might be how do we toot our own horn without blowing it?

Perhaps if we simply consider our gifts, talents, and creative ideas as a form of light, we can use our own personal dimmer switch to tone things down a bit, not blind those around us, and offer them the opportunity to shine as well.

EXERCISE:

In what ways can you become more aware of how to contribute and illuminate various situations without blinding others in the process?

Consider looking for opportunities to help others shine and add their own contributions as well.

The Best Preparation for Tomorrow

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Barry

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”

—H. Jackson Brown, Jr. author of Life’s Little Instruction Book

Image from skimbacolifestyle.com

Virtually everyone entering into a coaching relationship desires a better future. They want to go beyond ordinary, to achieve EXTRA-ordinary results and relationships in all aspects of their lives.

Doing your best and going the extra mile today is one sure bet that you will be further down the road when you take your first steps tomorrow morning.

EXERCISE:

Examine the following areas of your life to decide what extra attention and effort you will take to support your better tomorrow:

Health	Relationships	Community
Learning/Skill Development	Family	Balance
Work	Spiritual Growth	Hobbies/avocations

Make the commitment: reply to this post to let me know what actions you plan to take.

Heated Situations

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Barry

“When you want to fight fire with fire, remember that the fire department uses water.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Flickr by Jeshua.nace

When was the last time you were in a heated argument with tempers flaring and things getting out of control? If you cannot recall a specific event, just turn on a local, national, or global news program to see plenty of examples!

Rarely do such interactions result in win/win outcomes. Most of the time, we are left with win/lose or lose/lose results.

When we consider how to put out undesirable fires, all we need to do is take a bit of coaching from professional fire-fighters: use water to reduce the temperature of burning materials and extinguish the flame.

EXERCISE:

What new and more constructive ways of dealing with heated situations can you find to produce a better result for everyone involved?

make it hot

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Barry

“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.”

-W.B. Yeats, 20th Century Irish Poet

Image from Flickr by Hans Splinter

Life Below Zero is a TV series on the National Geographic Channel. It highlights individuals and families living fulfilling and successful lives near and north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska.

Throughout each episode the temperature is indicated in the lower left corner of the screen, which, as the show title indicates, is often well below zero degrees Fahrenheit.

One would guess that they would be bundled up every moment, but that is not the case. It is amazing to see how often they remove their hats, gloves, and layers of clothing, because they generate considerable body heat as they engage in daily activities such as gathering wood and securing food in this rugged part of the world.

EXERCISE:

Where in your personal or professional world is it time to make your own irons hot by striking out with even greater initiative and effort?

Be Your Own Hero

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Barry

“There comes a time when you have to be your own hero.”

-Author Unknown

Image from Flickr by Loren Javier

Action films are one of the most popular movie genres, especially as we enter the summer months. Can you recall, as a child, reading comic books by DC and Marvel? Today, a great deal of their revenues and profits come from telling their stories of adventure and heroism on the big screen.

The classic theme of The Hero’s Journey is one of the most popular and has been reused, refreshed, and adapted innumerable times over many years, simply because we all connect with it and because it touches our deeply held human instincts.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what situations it is time for you to be your own hero?

Where can you help bring out the heroes in others in your personal or professional worlds?

cause, not applause

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Barry

“Work for a cause, not for applause.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Flickr by Jody FaFerriere

I’ve been interested in what motivates people since I was a boy. In my youth, I washed cars, mowed lawns, and shoveled snow—all to earn a buck and purchase things I desired. The Thank You’s I received for a job well done also meant a lot, especially when they were heartfelt.

As I grew and continued to investigate what motivated me and others, it was clear that applause or extrinsic factors still have a hold on many of us. At the same time, the intrinsic aspects of a passionate purpose seem to take things to greater levels of fulfillment and life satisfaction.

EXERCISE:

Examine your own levels of sustainable satisfaction and fulfillment when you work for a cause. How can you capture the best of both motivators?

Plan A Doesn’t Work

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Barry

“If Plan A doesn’t work, the alphabet has 25 more letters—204, if you are in Japan.”

—Claire Cook, American Writer and Speaker

Image from kiameshaglobal.com

A friend and business colleague named Joel recently popped into my office to say hello. He, like many people I know, is a time-crunched business owner finding himself working too much in his business rather than taking it to a new level by working on his business.

He shared that he likes to have at least one new big idea to implement each year. This helps him keep things fresh, remain highly relevant in the marketplace, and provide even greater value to his clients.

EXERCISE:

How and where can you allocate 10-15% of your time to brainstorming new and better ways to run your business and live a better life? Imagine having 25—or 204—options from which to choose!