Tag Archives: self-determination

The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands

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“The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands, and then work outward from there.”

—Robert M. Pirsig, late American writer and philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Gia Iris

The paralysis of analysis is very real.

When we examine all the needs of the world the options appear endless.

Where do we begin? We always have the option of working on ourselves first, and then expanding our work outward from there. If we all choose to do this, all those other worthy endeavors would be covered by the remaining eight billion others doing the same.

EXERCISE:

In what specific ways can and will you work to improve your heart, head and hands? As you do, where else will you choose to make a difference in the world beyond?

Learning to adapt to the current circumstances is a key to being happy

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“Learning to adapt to the current circumstances is a key to being happy. Right now, it’s like this.”

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Kelly Sikkema

Following the devastation caused by hurricane Ian in the southeast, the area where I live in Pennsylvania experienced a few days of constant rain. I was surprised that some people complained about our soggy situation.

They apparently internalized the rain and cloudiness, instead of adapting to things as they were. That’s why we have umbrellas and rain coats.

Learning to accept things as they are and working to change things where we can is a road to self-determination.

EXERCISE:

What do you need to accept that you cannot change?

How can you take things as they are and make the most of even the stormy days ahead?

How do you limit yourself by caring about what others think of you

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How do you limit yourself by caring about what others think of you?

Image from Unsplash by Mitchel Lensink

What examples can you recall from your youth of peer pressure? For me, having a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers and a banana seat bike were top priorities to be accepted by the kids in the neighborhood.

What are some examples of peer pressure you experience these days in your personal and professional communities? What are the expected norms you accept and follow in order to fit it?

EXERCISE:

What is the cost of going along to get along?

Where would the “To Thine Own Self Be True” philosophy be the road to take at this point in your life?

You are bigger than your urges

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You are bigger than your urges.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by regularly.eth

How true is today’s statement for you? How often do you seek pleasure and avoid discomfort?

What’s in it for us since delayed gratification is challenging and procrastination seems to pay off immediately?

When we give in to our urges there always seems to be a payoff.

These payoffs perpetuate the cycle of giving in to future urges. Unfortunately, there is often a hidden cost we don’t see until it’s late in the game and coming back is even more difficult.

EXERCISE:

Reflect on the urges you experience throughout a typical day.

Examine both the costs and payoffs associated when you give into these feelings.

How would reevaluating the cost/payoff ratio help you become bigger than many of these urges in the future?

Friday Review: Self-Determination

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Friday Review: Self-Determination

How has self-determination shaped your life? Here are a few posts you may have missed.

 

“People who are empowered don’t go along to get along.”

 

 

 

“You can’t expect to hit the jackpot if you don’t put a few nickels in the machine.”

 

 

 

“Learning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check in with yourself. Schedule a ME-Ting

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Check in with yourself. Schedule a ME-Ting.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Jordan McQueen

How many meetings did you attend last week? How many are scheduled for this week? What percentage of them are you looking forward to, and serve an important purpose?

How much time do you carve out of your days for “Me Time”?  How often can you guarantee that you will have the time to work on your top priorities or simply relax and recharge after a day of attending other’s meetings?

EXERCISE:

Block out time on your schedule today for a ME-Ting with yourself to do whatever you want. Experiment with different amounts of time and different times of the day to see what works best. Try this exercise on both weekdays and weekends to both check in and check out when needed.

“How are you tending to the emerging story of your life?”

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“How are you tending to the emerging story of your life?”

—Attributed to Carol Hegedus

Image from Unsplash by Aaron Burden

Today’s quote is a challenging question for most people. Upon close introspection, many of us realize that we are not doing the best of jobs tending to our life. We can be like a shepherd who falls asleep and notices upon waking that a good number of his flock have wandered off — or God forbid — were taken by a wolf.

Where have you been sleeping on the job or dilly-dallying through your days just letting the world pass you by, or following paths mapped out by others?

If you were to tell a stranger your life story up until today how likely would they stay riveted and engaged?

EXERCISE:

How can you do a far better job tending to the story of your life as you pen your upcoming chapters?

Consider reading the book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller for ideas and inspiration?  Another book worth exploring is Someday Is Not a Day in the Week by Sam Horn.

“It’s your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.”

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“It’s your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.”

—Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Rūmī, 13th-century Persian poet

Image from Amazon.com

As a child, my favorite movie was the Wizard of OZ. Because of its length, it was the only day of the year we were permitted to eat our family dinner in our living room to partake in this once-a-year event.

There was just so much to enjoy about this spectacle including the music, wonderful characters, the engaging story with many twists and turns, and of course, the happy ending.

I recently came across a video which presented a provocative perspective to the story, pointing out how each character’s role help bring home the film’s enduring lessons.

What do the characters of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion mean for you? When Dorothy called the Wizard a very bad man, he responded “I’m a very good man, but I’m a terrible wizard.”

EXERCISE:

What are some of the lessons you have learned traveling your own yellow brick road over the years? How did your fellow travelers along the way contribute to where you are today?

What shifts do you want to make to your relationship with food?

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What shifts do you want to make to your relationship with food?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by The BlackRabbit

The intention of the Quotable Coach blog is to provoke and challenge you to improve your mind, body, and soul.

Pursuing personal and professional excellence to have a gold medal life was my primary inspiration to become a coach back in 1992.

Over the past 18+ months the majority of people I speak with have put on at least a few Covid pounds and seem less energetic and vital.

Beyond our shifts in our exercise routines such as sports and going to the gym, many of us have sought out a bit too much comfort from less-than-optimal foods choices and portions.

Working from home may have reduced our commute but may also have had the unfortunate impact of adding a few inches to our waistlines. Consider how much of your previous wardrobe is still sitting on hangers with the same dry-cleaning tags.

EXERCISE:

Please download a copy of the food target chart from On Target Living website to help you shift food strategies for the better at the following link.

I am the me I choose to be

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“I am the me I choose to be.”

—Sidney Pottier, first black male to win the Best Actor Academy Award

Image from Unsplash by Pierre Bamin

Today’s quote seems like a modern version of Shakespeare’s famous line, To thine own self be true.

To what degree are you the “thee” you choose to be?

With all the pushing and pulling on us by outside forces, many of us have exchanged followers and likes for a bit of our souls.

Being a chameleon and constantly trying to please others almost always moves us away from our authentic selves.

In what ways have you or others close to you given away the power to choose and lost your way?

EXERCISE:

On what issues is it time to more courageously choose your most genuine self to receive the only essential “like” worth pursuing?