Friday Review: Strategy
What are your strategies for success? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
“Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him.”
“Don’t Let the worst people get the best of you.”
Friday Review: Strategy
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Tag Archives: Barry Demp
The problem with holding a grudge is
“The problem with holding a grudge is that it makes your hands too full to do anything useful.”
—Seth Godin, American author and a former dot-com business executive
Image from Unsplash by Resume Genius
Where in your world are you holding a grudge? In what ways has it impacted your productivity and your most important relationships?
Did you know…
- Grudges consume cognitive resources diverting focus from work tasks that require concentration.
- Chronic resentment elevates stress levels and increases the risk of anxiety, depression and physical ailments like hypertension.
- Emotional exhaustion from grudges lowers resilience and impairs problem-solving and creativity.
- Grudge-holding often correlates with social withdrawal, hindering new relationships and deepening loneliness.
EXERCISE:
Letting go of grudges is an act of self-liberation. Acceptance, forgiveness, perspective shifts, and intentional boundary setting are some approaches to consider to free your hands for better things.
Men go to far greater lengths to avoid what they fear than to obtain what they desire
“Men go to far greater lengths to avoid what they fear than to obtain what they desire.”
—Dan Brown, author of The DaVinci Code
Image from Unsplash by M.T. ElGassier
Loss aversion is rooted in prospect theory, which indicates that people fear losses twice as intensely as they value gain.
Neuron-scientific evidence shows the brain’s amygdala reacts more strongly to losses which amplify emotional discomfort. These biases drive risk-adverse behavior such as clinging to familiar routines or avoiding investments due to fear of failure.
The pursuit of dreams is fueled by intrinsic motivation and self-determination theory which emphasizes aligning actions with personal values and autonomy. Although these kinds of actions foster self-actualization and long-term fulfillment, such efforts usually require confronting loss aversion’s gravitational pull.
EXERCISE:
In what ways can you overcome the primal risk-averse response of loss-aversion and be more intentional and self-aware of your intrinsic motivation to realize far more of your desires?
It’s more important to have vision than plans
“It’s more important to have vision than plans. You’ll often have to change plans to realize your vision.”
—Jon Gordon, Bestselling Author & Keynote Speaker
Image from Unsplash by Sven Mieke
The distinction between vision and plans lies in their role in guiding action toward our goals.
While both are critical, vision provides foundational purpose and adaptability, whereas plans offer tactical execution.
A vision defines the aspirational purpose that inspires and unifies stakeholders. It serves as a long-term compass, ensuring efforts remain aligned with core values and ideals, even as circumstances change.
Plans translate the vision into actionable steps but risk rigidity if disconnected from the vision. Without a vision, plans may become misaligned with broader objectives, or fail to inspire sustained commitment.
EXERCISE:
In what ways are your current plans anchored in your vision?
How does your core purpose support the needed flexibility, adaptability, and resilience so necessary in our rapidly changing world?
Our passions give us power
Our passions give us power. Pursue them and discover greater purpose and delight in your life.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by Ian Schneider
Purpose is the reason we journey.
Passion is the fire that lights our way.
When these two forces align, they ignite our lives with clarity and energy.
Purpose anchors us in our “why.” Passion fuels the drive to purse it.
Together they transform ordinary days into extraordinary days.
EXERCISE:
Reflect on one area of your life where your purpose and passions intersect.
What actions can and will you take today that will inspire and delight yourself and others in your world?
Friday Review: STILLNESS
Friday Review: STILLNESS
When and in what way do you bring stillness into your day? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.
Linger in the space between thoughts and discover what stillness has to offer.
“When you don’t know what to do, do nothing, be still.”
I believe compassion to be one of the few things we can practice
“I believe compassion to be one of the few things we can practice that will bring immediate and long-term happiness to our lives.”
—The 14th Dalai Lama, head of Tibetan Buddhism
Image from Unsplash by Marcos Paulo Prado
When I think of the word compassion, what initially comes to mind is saint-like sentimentality.
Given the fact that I have admired the Dalai Lama for many years, I figured I’d look a bit deeper into this important human quality.
Here are ten practical ways to demonstrate compassion daily, synthesized from expert recommendations: (source: Perplexity)
- Listen actively without judgment: Give full attention to others through eye contact and undivided focus, avoiding distractions like phones.
- Offer physical gestures of affection: Use hugs, handshakes, or a pat on the back to provide comfort and connection.
- Smile intentionally: Shift from neutral expressions to warm smiles to uplift others in routine interactions.
- Hold doors open for others: Assist those with hands full or struggling, offers small moments of relief.
- Perform acts of kindness: Help with tasks like carrying groceries, babysitting, donating to those in need.
- Express gratitude verbally: Regularly say “thank you” to acknowledge the efforts of others, from service workers to loved ones.
- Ask directly about needs: Inquire “What do you need?” to tailor support effectively, showing respect for their autonomy.
- Volunteer time: Dedicate hours to community service, food banks, or mentoring programs.
- Use encouraging language: Replace criticism with positive language to boost confidence.
- Send heartfelt messages: Text or write notes expressing care, such as “I’m thinking of you.
EXERCISE:
Which of these actions can you include in your daily efforts to demonstrate greater compassion in your communities?
My wish for you is that you continue
“My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness. The effect you have on other’s lives is the highest expression of your own.”
—Maya Angelou, in a letter to her daughter
Image from Wikipedia
Maya Angelou was an American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years.
Among her many awards and honors are:
- 50 honorary degrees from prestigious institutions
- The presidential medal of freedom (2010) — the highest civilian honor in the U.S.
- National Medal of Arts (2000)
- Three Grammy awards for her spoken word albums
- Induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1998
Given today’s quote, I bet she was an outstanding mother and coach for her daughter through her many positive examples, and of course, her brilliant words.
EXERCISE:
In what ways can the words and deeds of Maya Angelou inspire you to lead a life of greater service and significance?
“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time — that’s the stuff life is made of.”
“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time — that’s the stuff life is made of.”
Benjamin Franklin, oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence
Image from Wikipedia
Poor Richard’s Almanac, published annually by Benjamin Franklin from 1732 to 1758, was very popular in the American colonies. It contained a mix of practical advice, humorous anecdotes, aphorisms, puzzles, and even weather forecasts.
Franklin used it to share enlightenment principles such as reason, self-improvement, and practical wisdom, which fit very nicely with the purpose of The Quotable Coach blog.
Here are few noteworthy nuggets of Franklin’s wisdom to ponder:
- Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
- Well done is better than well said.
- Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship.
- He that can have patience can have what he will.
- A true friend is the best possession.
EXERCISE:
In what ways can you better use your precious time to learn, grow, and contribute to others in your various communities?
Which of Franklin’s other quotes are worthy of additional consideration at this time in your life?
It takes a big person to acknowledge and apologize
It takes a big person to acknowledge and apologize for their mistakes. Hiding them doesn’t serve anyone.
—Calm App Reflection
Image from Unsplash by Sarah Kilian
No one likes to make mistakes. This is especially true when our errors are observed and most notably negatively impact the lives of others.
How often have you tried to hide your missteps and dodge responsibility for your part in things going wrong?
In these days, where nothing ever seems to remain a secret for long, covering things up always ends poorly.
Beyond the potential public embarrassment that might await us, there is always the personal cost we all pay for the guilt and shame we often experience when we come up short of our espoused values and intentions.
EXERCISE:
Where in your world are you trying to hide a mistake from others?
How can and will you be a bigger person by acknowledging and apologizing for your errors, and enhance the quality of your relationships with others in your personal and professional communities?