Tag Archives: Barry Demp Coaching

Never quit something with great long-term potential just because

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“Never quit something with great long-term potential just because you can’t deal with the stress of the moment.”

—Seth Godin, American author and former dot com business executive

Image from Unsplash by Etienne Girardet

Timeouts work as well for adults as they do for kids.

How many times have you hit a wall on an important activity and simply given up?

Consider the idea that your current thinking is only short term and limited.

At these moments, we often stop looking beyond the stressors of our current reality to look over the horizons of our apparent barriers.

What’s called for in these times is a break-through.

To have a breakthrough in thinking and acting, it’s actually necessary to have barriers to break through.

EXERCISE:

How can you begin seeing barriers and stressors in your life as clues to uncover and overcome on your journey toward greater success?

How might you discover that the stressors and obstacles are the way?

Leave room for the universe to work its magic

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Leave room for the universe to work its magic. Seek surprises in serendipity.

—Calm App Reflection

 Image from Unsplash by Brooke Cagle

A couple of weeks ago we traveled about 90 miles from our home to the American Dream Mall outside New York City, with family and friends.

It happened to be my daughter’s birthday, and although I dislike crowds and shopping, I’d do anything for my daughter.

This mall rivals the Mall of America and contains dozens of attractions including an a Nickelodeon theme park, a DreamWorks waterpark, Legoland, a Sealife Aquarium, and an indoor Big Snow skiing facility.

Everything there was big, colorful and loud. It also happened to be a rainy Sunday which seemed to give everyone in the region the same idea.

EXERCISE:

How long has it been since you ventured out beyond your local world into the expanding universe?

How might doing so work its magic and surprise you in ways you never imagined?

FRIDAY REVIEW: DIFFERENCE

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FRIDAY REVIEW: DIFFERENCE

How do you make a difference in the lives of those around you? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“Give ‘em the Pickle.”

 

 

 

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

 

 

 

 

“You have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

 

 

“Show up for people in pain and don’t look away.”

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“Show up for people in pain and don’t look away.”

—Brene Brown, research professor at the University of Houston

Image from Unsplash by Susan Wilkinson

These past few years, I’ve seen more pain in my world and in the world at large than I can ever remember.

Today’s quote hit me hard in that I’ve probably been looking away more times than I’d like to admit.

This year I’ve seen family members and some very close friends get hit hard both physically and emotionally.

I’m finally getting the sobering message that pain is a significant part of life and an integral part of our journeys.

EXERCISE:

Who in your life is experiencing considerable pain?

Where would leaning in instead of looking away be the best medicine you could offer to help those in need of relief?

“Don’t give up on your dreams. Your ability to persist and stay the course is being tested. Keep at it!”

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“Don’t give up on your dreams. Your ability to persist and stay the course is being tested. Keep at it!”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Bo Zhang

How much of the Paris Olympics did you see? With three rainy days during our recent Pocono vacation this year, we saw a bunch.

Something we noticed was the number of athletes who have the Olympic rings tattooed on various parts of their bodies.

Clearly, the Olympic experience is a memory they all wanted to capture and keep for the rest of their lives.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life do you dream of greatness?

How successful have your efforts been to date?

Where have you lost the fire and given up on your dreams?

How might the obstacles that are stopping you be just a test to challenge you to press on and stay the course?

Acknowledge the people you meet throughout your days

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Acknowledge the people you meet throughout your days. These small acts of kindness are sparks of connection we all deserve and need.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Brett Wharton

On my daily walk around my development each morning I have a ritual I enjoy.

As a member of our community of 280 households, I like to acknowledge the other walkers and drivers passing by with a hello or a wave.

This small gesture often brings many a smile and waves back. Allen, a member of our group, carries dog biscuits for our canine friends who always seem happy to see us.

EXERCISE:

How often do you acknowledge the people you meet throughout your days?

How often do you receive such greetings from others?

How might an extra helping of these daily gestures lift everyone’s spirits just a little bit higher?

Friday Review: Determination

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Friday Review: Determination

What is the basis for your determination in life? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

The plateaus of life are simply part of our journey. Learn to love them and keep moving forward.

 

 

 

 

“Work hard in silence and let success make the noise.”

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

When you don’t know what to do, do nothing, be still

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“When you don’t know what to do, do nothing, be still.”

—Oprah Winfrey, American talk show host, TV producer, actress, author, and media proprietor

Image from Unsplash by Riccardo Annandale

I found myself with a case of writer’s block with this quote.

Thinking of interesting and pithy things to pen on a daily basis is confronting when you have a lot going on in the rest of your life.

Being still in a world that moves so fast is a challenge.

How can we get anywhere or accomplish a goal if we don’t make our intentions real through action?

Feeling stuck in this moment, I decided to do nothing, as Oprah suggests.

Suddenly, a light bulb moment struck.

Being still is doing something that leaves space for other somethings to show up. And so this post came to be.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life would stopping in your tracks and being still allow something unexpected and new to show up?

The true measure of your potential is not the peak you reached but how far you climbed to get there

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The true measure of your potential is not the peak you reached but how far you climbed to get there.

—Adam Grant, Author of Hidden Potential

Image from Unsplash by Brook Anderson

As the world watched the Paris Olympic games with anticipation and awe, I did my best to look beyond the world records and those who stand on the podium.

I find the back stories of the various athletes and teams particularly engaging.

When we learn about the grit, tenacity, and determination it takes to be among the 10,500 participants, we all get to have our own Olympic spark burst into flames.

EXERCISE:

Where do you stand on the ladders of life?

How much potential lies within you to climb even higher to live a gold medal life?

Greatness and nearsightedness are incompatible.

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Greatness and nearsightedness are incompatible. Meaningful achievement depends on lifting one’s sight and pushing toward the horizon.

—Daniel Pink, New York Times Best-Selling Author

Image from Unsplash by Mohamed Nohassi

What qualities and characteristics make an individual, organization, or even a country great?

Look back over your life to those individuals who stood out and lead those around them to a better future.

Read documents they wrote or listen to their speeches to see how they shared their values and visions for bettering our world.

Notice how their visions became beacons for others so that they could pursue greatness together.

EXERCISE:

Where have you been a bit nearsighted in your personal and professional pursuits?

In what ways can and will you lift your sights higher and push beyond the current horizons of your life?