Tag Archives: Barry Demp

When we focus and do just one thing at a time

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When we focus and do just one thing at a time it’s impossible to fall behind.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

In a world that glorifies multitasking, it may feel strange to slow down and do only one thing at a time.

Yet, that is where true power lies.

When we give full attention to a single task, time expands. The pressure to “catch up” dissolves because we are completely aligned with the moment in front of us.

Imagine washing dishes without checking your phone, or writing without scanning emails. Each action becomes complete in itself, nothing left undone.

Falling behind is impossible, because the mind is not scattered into yesterday or tomorrow. Instead, we move in steady rhythm, task by task.

Focus turns overwhelm into progress, proving simplicity is the fastest path to peace.

EXERCISE:

Cook a meal from scratch — focusing on measuring, chopping, and savoring each step, turning the process into a mindful sensory experience.

Don’t stop there. Savor each morsel of your delicious meal one slow bite at a time perhaps with family or friends.

We are all participants in creation

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“We are all participants in creation, co-authors of the universe, contributors of consequence.”

—Stephen St. Amant, Founder of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Ravi Pinisetti

Each of us is more than an observer of life — we are participants in creation itself. Each choice, thought, and action adds a brushstroke to the vast, unfolding of existence.

We are not isolated spectators but co-authors of the universe, shaping reality though our presence and contributions. Even the smallest gestures ripple outward, influencing others in ways unseen.

This awareness brings both humility and responsibility: what we create matters, regardless of scale.

To live with this truth is to embrace the power of consequence, to honor the gift of being able to add to the story of all.

The universe is not complete without your part in it.

EXERCISE:

Spend ten minutes in nature or a public space, silently observing interactions and changes.

Reflect on how every element, including yourself, contributes dynamically to the living ecosystem.

“Take a moment to find my hidden heart. I hope it inspires you to follow yours.”

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“Take a moment to find my hidden heart. I hope it inspires you to follow yours.”

—Ali Luke, UK Writing Coach and Author

Image from Unsplash by Alex Shute

Today’s quote is from Ali Luke — my former writing coach — and is a gentle reminder that we all carry something sacred within us — dreams, passions, and truths waiting quietly to be seen.

Sometimes life grows noisy, pulling our attention away from what matters most. But when we pause, we reconnect with the heart’s quiet voice that guides us back to meaning.

Seeing someone else live authentically can spark something in us, too — it’s permission to listen more closely, to trust what we feel, and follow courage over fear. Your hidden heart isn’t lost — it’s simply waiting.

When you start to honor it, you’ll inspire others to honor theirs.

EXERCISE:

Recall someone you admire who follows their heart boldly. What do they do that inspires you?

Name at least one small action you can and will take this week that aligns with your own hidden heart.

Surround yourself with people who are thoughtful in ways you are not

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“Surround yourself with people who are thoughtful in ways you are not, because they see what you can’t.”

—Shane Parrish, Founder of Farnum Street Blog

Image from Unsplash by Cédric Dhaenens

Surround yourself with people who see differently than you do. Their perspective is not a challenge to your vision — it’s a gift.

Where you see one path, they may notice hidden turns.

Where you sense limitations, they may point to possibilities.

Thoughtful people who think unlike you stretch your mind, spark fresh ideas, and protect you from blind spots. They expand the edges of your world.

It’s tempting to prefer echoes of your own thinking, but true growth comes from the harmony of diverse voices.

The wisest leaders are those who invite variety, listen deeply, and let others’ unique insights sharpen their own.

When we seek out thoughtful differences we’ll always see further than we could alone.

EXERCISE:

Identify one area of your life where you’d benefit from fresh thinking. Actively seek out someone who approaches that area differently. Invite and “try on” their input and note how their angle challenges your assumptions.

Exploring the big picture of being alive

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Exploring the big picture of being alive can snap us out of our worries to be in awe of our very existence.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Ryan Hutton

Life can feel consumed by endless worries — small setbacks, looming deadline, nagging doubts. Yet when we pause to explore the big picture of simply being alive, perspective shifts.

The fact that we exist at all, with beating hearts and breath in our lungs, is extraordinary. Out of billions of possible outcomes, here we are — thinking, feeling, creating, connecting.

Stepping back to recognize this wonder doesn’t erase challenges, but it softens their grip. Problems shrink when measured against the vastness of life’s gifts.

Awe reminds us that existence itself is not guaranteed, but a fragile and beautiful chance. In that realization anxiety transforms into gratitude, and the ordinary reveals itself as something truly remarkable.

EXERCISE:

Spend a few minutes outside tonight or early tomorrow morning. Look at the stars in the sky.

Consider the vastness of the universe and appreciate your place in it.

Friday Review: DIRECTION

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Friday Review: DIRECTION

How do you set and manage the direction of your personal or professional life? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“Be your own compass.”

 

 

 

 

“Turn in the direction of the skid.”

 

 

 

 

 

“A worthy goal can be intimate. Choose the scale that suits you and feel your way into the journey.”

 

 

 

What we see in people is determined, in large part, by what we expect to find.”

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“What we see in people is determined, in large part, by what we expect to find.”

—Sir Paul Smith, English luxurious fashion designer

Image from Unsplash by Brendan Church

What we see in others often reflects not just who they are, but what we are looking for.

Expectations act like filters, shaping interactions long before words are exchanged.

When we expect kindness, we’re more likely to notice gentle gestures.

When we assume criticism, every pause feels sharp.

The mind confirms what it predicts, often overlooking contradictions.

If we expect flaws, we’ll find them everywhere. But if we choose to expect strengths — resilience, creativity, decency — we open ourselves to recognizing more of it in people.

Shifting expectations doesn’t just change perception — it changes connections.

The most powerful way to see the best in others is to simply expect it.

EXERCISE:

Before your next conversation, pause and set an intention to notice a positive trait in the other person.

Afterward, reflect on what you observed and how your expectation influenced your perception.

“Move like you’re late and wait like you’re early.”

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“Move like you’re late and wait like you’re early.”

—Shane Parrish, author of the Farnum Street Blog

Image from Unsplash by Andy Beales

Today’s quote can be a pretty useful life hack.

Think about it: when you hustle like you overslept, suddenly laundry gets folded, emails get answered, and even the dog walks faster. You stop strolling through life like it’s a Sunday farmer’s market.

But here’s the twist: when you wait like you’re early, you swap impatience for Zen. No fuming in traffic, no glaring at microwaves. You’re the calm cucumber in the salad of chaos.

Do both. Become unstoppable — a fusion of lightning speed and monk-level patience.

EXERCISE:

Alternate between these two mindsets throughout your day.

Move at a lightening pace on one task, then immediately approach your next one with monk-like patience.

Notice how the contrast can sharpen your focus and reduce stress.

Luck is unevenly distributed, unpredictable, and unfair

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“Luck is unevenly distributed, unpredictable, and unfair. If it weren’t, it wouldn’t be luck.”
—Seth Godin, American author, marketing expert, entrepreneur

Image from Unsplash by Amy Reed

Luck has never promised to play fair.

It sweeps in unevenly — granting one person a break while another stumbles despite equal or greater effort.

That’s the maddening beauty of it: Luck refuses to be predictable, earned, or controlled. If it followed rules, it wouldn’t be luck — it would be math, merit, or some reliable formula.

Instead, luck lives in the gaps between preparation and randomness. The danger is believing it owes us balance, when in truth it never has.

The opportunity lies in what we can control — our mindset, persistence, and readiness to seize luck when it lands.

We can’t script chance, but we can sharpen ourselves into people who make the most of it!

EXERCISE:

Take a minute at the end of your day to write down one event or moment when luck — good or bad — touched your life. Consider how you responded, and reflect on what you learned.

When we embrace our deliberate slow ritual

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When we embrace our deliberate slow rituals, we learn to savor and fully appreciate each tasty morsel of our lives.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

In a world that moves too fast it takes real courage to slow down.

When we choose to move with intention — whether it’s a morning cup of coffee, writing a thoughtful note, or taking a mindful walk —we reconnect to life’s quiet richness.

These rituals remind us that meaning isn’t found in a rush to finish, but in cherishing each step along the way.

Like savoring a fine meal, our days become more flavorful when we pause to experience each morsel fully.

Slow rituals nourish us, offering balance, gratitude, and the calm strength needed for a rewarding and meaningful life.

EXERCISE:

What are some deliberate slow rituals that enrich your life? If you have yet to do so recently, consider adding new mindfulness and self-care practices to the mix.