Tag Archives: self-determination

“You can lean over backwards so far that you can fall flat on your face.”

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“You can lean over backwards so far that you can fall flat on your face.”

—Ben H. Bagdkian, American educator and journalist

Image from Unsplash by Rarsai Chaikulngamdee

Are you a pushover? How often do you let others in your world take advantage of you?

Where have you become so flexible to the intentions and interests of others that you have lost your backbone and sense of self?

Let’s face it—It is impossible to get everyone to like us. If you have tried to do so by bending over backwards, accommodating what other want, you are destined to fall flat on your face or at least lose your way.

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom in your world is it time to straighten and strengthen your backbone?

Where would a boost of personal integrity and resolve to live life on your terms have others look to you for leadership in your various communities?

“Every day is your day if you claim it.”

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“Every day is your day if you claim it.”

—Iyanla Vanzant, American inspirational speaker

Image form Unsplash by Photologic

How much do you know about the California Gold Rush? Although about 750,000 pounds of gold were discovered, only a small percentage of the 300,000 people who participated in the rush found their fortune.

At the beginning of the rush, there were no property rights laws in the goldfields, and a system of “staking claims” was developed. James Wilson Marshall recalled his discovery while working to build a water-powered sawmill on January 24, 1848. He was noted as saying, “It made my heart thump.”

EXERCISE:

How can you more fully claim the richness in life by discovering the golden nuggets in each and every day? I hope you have a heart-thumping day!

“You are under no obligation to remain the same person you were a year ago, a month ago, or even a day ago. You are here to create yourself, continuously.”

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“You are under no obligation to remain the same person you were a year ago, a month ago, or even a day ago. You are here to create yourself, continuously.”

—Richard Feynman, 20th Century American theoretical physicist

Image from Unsplash by Inês Ferreira

Richard Feynman was considered one of the most influential physicists of our time. If a team of mankind’s most brilliant thinkers were put together to invent time travel, he would surely have been one of the leaders.

Many of us find ourselves looking back to pre-COVID times, wishfully hoping to gain back what was lost. In today’s quote, Feynman challenges each of us to play the cards we are dealt, and perhaps more importantly, take it upon ourselves to evolve and grow, to create ourselves and our world moment-by-moment.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you be more intentional in your personal growth efforts?

Where could you be a year from now if you “kicked up” your self-creation efforts, beginning today?

Feel free to reply to this post regarding the promises you make to yourself and others.

“Govern thy life and thy thoughts as if the whole world were to see the one and read the other.”

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“Govern thy life and thy thoughts as if the whole world were to see the one and read the other.”

—Thomas Fuller, 17th Century English Churchman/Historian

Image from Unsplash by Deniz Göçmen

What have you been doing these days? What have you been thinking about over the past few months? How pleased are you by what you and the world are seeing in your efforts and overall character?

Comparing oneself to others can be a slippery slope with a considerable down side. But examining the best qualities of others can be an excellent form of coaching by the example certain individuals set for us to emulate.

Look for the qualities of generosity, compassion, empathy, kindness, and courage as these individuals navigate their days to serve their communities while – hopefully – taking care of their own well being.

EXERCISE:

When you look in the mirror tonight, observe how pleased you feel about how you spent your day. What tweaks or significant adjustments to your actions and thinking will generate greater satisfaction when you look in the mirror tomorrow?

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

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

—David Foster Wallace, late American writer and university professor

Image from Unsplash by Thought Catalog

In late January, we reached our 2,000th Quotable Coach post, which represents eight years of Monday-thru-Friday posts to you, our loyal readers.

Beyond making these nuggets of wisdom available to others, this daily exercise is part of my own cerebral workout for my mental muscles.

Posing a wide variety of questions to you (and to myself) has increased my self-awareness and ability to guide my life professionally and personally for the better.

Thank You!

EXERCISE:

In the weeks and months ahead, please consider replying to at least one post that assists you in your own thinking efforts.

A weekly reply would be great!

Please also consider sharing The Quotable Coach resource with others in your communities who might also wish to exercise greater control over how and what they think.

“The next move is yours.”

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“The next move is yours.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Robert Coelho

Imagine your life as a board game that involves successfully navigating different frontiers or territories in order to win.

The frontiers are:

  • Optimal health
  • Quality relationships
  • Professional achievement
  • Contributions to your community
  • Spirituality, faith, religion
  • Family
  • Life balance and peace of mind

EXERCISE:

Where are you falling behind, keeping up, or ahead of your current expectation for yourself?

What is your next move in these and other priority areas of your life?

Consider picking up a copy of Seth Godin’s book What to Do When it’s Your Turn to help you see and pursue your next move.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

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“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

—Dr. Seuss, pen name of Theodor Seuss Geisel

Image from youtube

I am a big fan of Dr. Seuss. I love the idea of imparting wisdom through his unique and colorful characters and stories. Today’s quote is from I Can Read With My Eyes Shut. A few more of my favorite Suess-ful nuggets of wisdom are:

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

“You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

“Today was good, today was fun, tomorrow will be another one.”

“Just tell yourself, Duckie – You’re really quite lucky!”

EXERCISE:

Select a book you have yet to read and commit to reading it in the new year. Consider making this a monthly goad to help you learn more and take you to more places you wish to go.

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

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

—Flip Wilson, 20th Century American comedian and actor

Image from Unsplash by DEAR

Are you a gambler? When was the last time you went to a casino hoping to hit it big, knowing in the back of your mind that the house always wins?

What if today’s quote were suggesting a different type of wager, in which we bet on our resources of time and effort?

EXERCISE:

In what areas of your life will you insert a few more nickels to guarantee hitting the jackpot?

Unlike money, you will never run out of the currency to bet on yourself.

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are an entire ocean in a drop.”

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“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are an entire ocean in a drop.”

—Rumi, 13th-century Persian poet & Sufi mystic

Image from Unsplash by Greg Rakozy

How often do you see yourself as small and insignificant? Depending on your perspective, you may see yourself as:

  • one vote among millions
  • one person among seven+ billion
  • one creature living on a tiny planet in a small solar system in one galaxy among trillions

If you are a fan of physics, you may also note that we live in one universe in a multiverse of infinite numbers.

Perhaps with those descriptions, you think I proved that we are even less than a drop in the ocean. But I suggest that instead you consider this:

Your body is composed of more cells than there are grains of sand on all the beaches in the world, and all the stars in our Milky Way galaxy, combined.

We are all made from star dust from super novas, and we possess the consciousness of knowing that is so.

EXERCISE:

How can you more fully embrace the miracle of you?

With this far bigger and more powerful perspective, how can and will you relate to your place in the world and from the world within you?

“Your ‘I Can’ is more important than Your I.Q.”

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“Your ‘I Can’ is more important than your I.Q.”

—Robin Sharma, Author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari series

Image of the book cover of "The Little Engine that Could"

The Little Engine that Could is an American fairy tale that became widely known in the 1930s. Through an online poll of teachers, The National Education Association rated it as one of the Top 100 books for children, because of its key message of the importance of optimism and hard work.

The story’s signature phrase, I Think I Can is a key memory I have from childhood on the importance of self belief and self determination. My wife Wendy and I did our best to instill this concept in both our children.

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom would a bunch more “I can” and “I know you can” statements support greater achievement and life satisfaction in your personal and professional communities?

Here is a short video if you wish to recapture the memory or share it with someone you love.