Tag Archives: Barry Demp

“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time — that’s the stuff life is made of.”

Posted on by
Reply

“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

Posted on by
Reply

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?

Friday Review — Skill

Posted on by

Friday Review— Skill

We don’t all have the same skills. What are yours? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

 

 

 

 

“He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skills. Our antagonist is our helper.”

 

 

 

 

“Life is a lot like Jazz… it’s best when you improvise.”

 

 

 

 

The person who carefully designs their daily routines

Posted on by

“The person who carefully designs their daily routines goes further than the person who negotiates with themselves every day.”

—Shane Parrish, creator of the Farnam Street Blog

Image from Unsplash by Marissa Grootes

By designing daily routines, you create a framework that supports your goals and well-being, reducing the need for constant self-discipline and making it easier to maintain a balanced, productive lifestyle.

Here are a few key benefits of a carefully designed daily routine:

  • It reduces the need for constant decision making, allowing you to move from one task to another without wasting time and energy.
  • Routines provide structure and predictability, which can significantly lower stress and promote a sense of calm and control.
  • Consistent daily habits can boost mental well-being by providing a sense of purpose and stability.
  • A daily routine often includes consistent sleep and wake times along with regular exercise — which support improved physical health and overall productivity.

EXERCISE:

How can creating better daily routines help you achieve more in your personal and professional lives?

Where can and will you start today to tap into the magic of momentum offered by these new habits?

Table tennis requires unwavering concentration

Posted on by

“Table tennis requires unwavering concentration, mental resilience, strategic thinking, emotional control, self-confidence, and adaptability.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Jure Zakotnik

Although Pickleball is all the rage these days, I have come to favor a good old-fashion game of Ping Pong for many reasons, including:

  • Ping Pong is easier for beginners, as the table is much smaller and requires less movement.
  • Ping Pong tables are significantly smaller (9ft x 5 ft) compared to a pickleball court (44ft x 20ft), making it more suitable for indoor spaces and home use.
  • Ping Pong can be played year-round indoors regardless of the weather conditions.
  • At intermediate and advanced levels, Ping Pong offers lightning-fast, close quarters gameplay with quick exchanges, which can be more exciting for those who enjoy rapid fire action.
  • While still requiring good reflexes and coordination, Ping Pong is less physically demanding than pickleball, making it accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life would better concentration, mental resilience, enhanced strategic thinking, improved self-control, greater self-confidence, and adaptability come in handy?

If these qualities sound good to you, why not give Ping Pong a spin?

Attention doesn’t scale

Posted on by

“Attention doesn’t scale, no matter how hard we try.”

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

Image from Unsplash by Luis Villasmil

In our fast-paced world we often try to multitask and divide our attention, believing we can scale our focus across multiple priorities.

Unfortunately, our attention doesn’t scale, no matter how hard we try.

When we spread ourselves thin, we dilute the quality of our presence and engagement.

Deep, meaningful connections and breakthroughs occur when we give our undivided attention to one task, one person, or one moment at a time.

By embracing the power of focus you unlock your full potential and create space for innovation, growth, and genuine human connection.

Remember, it’s not about doing more, but about being fully present in what you do.

EXERCISE:

What are the costs of spreading your time and attention too thin?

Where would greater focus on fewer things be a more optimal approach to a happier, more productive and meaningful life?

 

Take a moment to investigate and celebrate

Posted on by

Take a moment to investigate and celebrate the mystery and miracle of your very existence.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Annie Spratt

The search for intelligent life beyond Earth has made significant strides in recent years.

NASA’s chief scientists predicted ten years ago that we might find strong indications of extraterrestrial life by now, but that timeline hasn’t materialized.

Initiatives like Breakthrough Listen have dramatically increased our observation capabilities and advanced telescopes and exoplanet discoveries have expanded our understanding of other potential habitable worlds.

Citizen science projects like SETI@HOME has democratized our search efforts and we can all be grateful that we are looking out into the universe from the mystery and miracle of our conscious existence.

EXERCISE:

Whether looking into a telescope or a microscope, how can you be more fully inspired and grateful for your life and the ride we all get to take on this beautiful blue spaceship?

Friday Review: Silence

Posted on by

Friday Review: Silence

How often do you experience regular periods of silence? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

“Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.”

 

 

 

 

“Fools live to regret their words, wise men to regret their silence.”

 

 

 

 

“When your rage is choking you, it is best to say nothing.”

 

 

 

 

 

The relief that comes from putting off a task

Posted on by

“The relief that comes from putting off a task never surpassed the satisfying feeling of having gotten the thing done.”

—Stephen St. Amant, author of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Karim Manjra

In the journey of productivity, we often dance between action and delay.

Procrastination might feel like a momentary comfort, but true satisfaction comes from conquering tasks.

When we break through the barrier of resistance and complete what we’ve been avoiding, we unlock a powerful sense of achievement, and our brains reward us with dopamine, reinforcing the joy of progress.

Look at every small step as a victory and embrace tasks head-on to transform not just your productivity, but your entire mindset. Choose progress over postponement, and watch your fullest potential unfold.

EXERCISE:

Implement the 2-minute rule: If a task can be completed in less than two minutes, do it immediately.

This prevents small tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming.

If you want to tackle bigger things please read David Allen’s classic book Getting Things Done.

I have never seen ordinary effort lead to extraordinary results

Posted on by

“I have never seen ordinary effort lead to extraordinary results.”

—Alexander Wang, American fashion designer

Image from Unsplash by Fedor

Did you know that the Beatles developed their musical skills through intense and grueling work, particularly during their time in Hamburg, Germany?

Their extraordinary commitment to improvement involved several strategies, including:

  • Extensive practice: Playing for eight hours straight helped them develop confidence and greater technical skills.
  • Their rigorous work ethic often demanded that they play eight days a week.😊
  • Instead of playing the same sets over and over, the Hamburg performances required them to innovate and expand their musical repertoire making them more versatile and creative performers.
  • The band faced multiple rejections and were turned down by at least five record labels before finally getting a contract with EMI in June of 1962.

EXERCISE:

In what areas of your world have you expected ordinary efforts to produce extraordinary results?

How can you apply more than a few hard days nights to have more extraordinary results come together for you?