Tag Archives: The Quotable Coach

“People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing.”

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“People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing.”

Will Rogers, American actor and humorous social commentator

Image from Unsplash by Dmytro Tolokonov

Will Rogers believed in a politics of civility, using humor to critique without malice, fostering an understanding of shared values among Americans.

Many people believe his approach remains relevant even in today’s polarized political climate.

Here are a few more of his provocative quotes to ponder over the coming days:

“When you find yourself in a hole, quit digging.”
“The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.”
“Never miss a good chance to shut up.”
“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

EXERCISE:

Which of Roger’s quotes strikes the strongest chord in you?

How can you apply its wit and wisdom to better your life and your world?

Sometimes we need to slow down, lower the volume, and just coast

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“Sometimes we need to slow down, lower the volume, and just coast.”

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by NEOM

With the holidays and the new year just around the corner, I’ve noticed people rushing around more than ever. It seems everyone is trying to squeeze twice as many to-dos into their days.

Instead of trying to fulfill others and your own unrealistic expectations, why not try avoiding potential upsets by communicating your intentions to slow down and find some peace and quiet for reflection and renewal?

Once rested, you can bolt out of the starters blocks of the new year with the energy and vitality to take on any fast-moving challenges that come your way.

EXERCISE:

How and with whom can you communicate your intentions to slow down and lower the volume of your life?

How would allowing your current momentum and just coasting be the best gift you could give yourself and those you love this holiday season?

Friday Review: Learning

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Friday Review: Learning

Are you learning something new or better every day? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“Fill each day with things to learn, launch, and love.”

 

 

 

“The best thing for being sad, replied Merlin, is to learn something.”

 

 

 

“You cannot teach a crab to walk straight.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Show up with ‘One-of-a-Kindness’”

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“Show up with ‘One-of-a-Kindness’”

—Chip Conley, American hospitality entrepreneur, author, and speaker

Image from Unsplash by Davisuko

To be one-of-a-kind means to be unique or unlike anything else.

This phrase emphasizes an individual’s or object’s distinctiveness, suggesting that there are no others exactly like it.

It often conveys a sense of rarity and specialness indicating that the person or thing possesses qualities that set it apart from all others.

We are all unique, one-of-a kind beings. Without going into all the details of nature versus nurture there never was and never will be another you.

How we express our individuality especially in what we say and do in our communities is always a choice we get to make each and every day.

EXERCISE:

What are some ways you can and will express your one-of-a kindness through this holiday season and into the new year?

Take the time to also observe all the one-of-a-kindnesses that show up in the words and actions of others and celebrate the oneness when people come together in kindness.

We can find Awe, then in eight wonders of life

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“We can find Awe, then in eight wonders of life: moral beauty, collective effervescence, nature, music, visual design, spirituality and religion, life and death, and epiphany.”

—Dacher Keltner, American professor of psychology at UC, Berkeley

Image from Unsplash by Christopher Ruel

Keltner’s research suggest that the eight categories mentioned in today’s quote represent the most common sources of awe in people’s lives.

He emphasizes that while we often think of awe as arising from grand, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, it can actually be found in everyday moments and surroundings.

By being more aware and mindful of these “wonders” in our daily lives, we can potentially increase our experiences of awe and its associated benefits for well-being and connection.

EXERCISE:

In what ways have you experienced some of the everyday moments of awe through Keltner’s eight wonders of life?  If this topic piques your interest, consider reading or listening to his 2023 book Awe.

“Getting started generates the momentum to keep going.”

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“Getting started generates the momentum to keep going.”

—Tony Robbins, American author, coach and speaker

Image from Unsplash by Braden Collum

In many ways we humans are a bit like our vehicles.

When we start and stop often throughout our days our mileage is less than desired.

When we get up to speed and hit the cruise control button, our efficiency and effectiveness skyrocket.

What happens when we are stopped completely and the inertia to stay stopped feels so strong?

Here are a few ways to apply the concept of momentum to your daily efforts once you get going:

    • Start with small wins to build confidence and motivation.
    • Create a daily routine based on the positive habits you value.
    • Habit stacking helps attach new habits to existing ones.
    • Avoid taking breaks and push through low levels of resistance that can slow you down or stop you completely.
    • Celebrate yourself for both effort and progress to reinforce positive behaviors and sustain your motivation.

    EXERCISE:

    In what areas of your life do you need to get out of the starting block?

    How can you apply some of the strategies above to build and maintain your momentum to keep going?

Sometimes the direct approach doesn’t work

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Sometimes the direct approach doesn’t work. You may need to find and enter the third door to reach your goal.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Daria Neprikhina

The “Third Door” concept introduced by Alex Banayan in his book, The Third Door, likens success to entering a nightclub with three doors:

The first door is the main entrance where most people wait.

The second door is the VIP entrance for the privileged few.

The third door represents an unconventional path that requires creativity and persistence, like sneaking through a back entrance or finding hidden opportunities.

This concept emphasizes thinking outside the box and leveraging unique strategies to achieve extraordinary success.

EXERCISE:

How might you discover your own “third door” to success by embracing barriers, setbacks, and mistakes when your first doors remain locked?

What new approaches and hidden passages might you discover by opening the third doors in your world?

Friday Review: Leadership

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Friday Review: Leadership

Who are the leaders you choose to emulate? Here are a few leadership-related posts you may have missed.

“Who can you give the credit to, before you take some for yourself?”

 

 

 

 

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flow charts. It is about one life influencing another.”

 

 

 

 

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

 

 

 

 

Procrastination is like a credit card

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“Procrastination is like a credit card: It’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.”

—Christopher Parker, English actor and television presenter

Image from Unsplash by Nubelson Fernandes

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday in our rear view mirrors, and the holidays just around the corner, it’s natural to want to give and get.

With Amazon and other online purchases just clicks away, it can be pretty easy to dig a financial hole deeper that you intend.

Procrastination is like this in that it pays off immediately with that rush of dopamine. We seemingly get all the reward without the downside until that “payment due” notice finds us down the road.

EXERCISE:

Where are you trying to pay down the debt of procrastination in your life?

How would applying the disciplines of doing things now and delayed gratification reward you with even more fun in the future?

“What gets better as we age?”

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“What gets better as we age?”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Dmitry Mashkin

In the years following my dad’s passing, I’ve developed a far greater interest in the subject of aging.

Although there are many reasons to see these years as ones of decline from our younger selves, there is still plenty of evidence that numerous areas of life tend to improve, including:

  • Happiness and Well-Being: older adults often experience greater life satisfaction and emotional stability, with reduced stress from the responsibilities of raising children and work.
  • Self Confidence: many older individuals become more comfortable in their own skin, embracing their true selves without the need for external validation.
  • Wisdom and Decision-Making: tend to improve through the accumulation of life experiences and more thoughtful informed choices.
  • Empathy and the ability to more deeply understand the emotions and experiences of others tend to improve, like a fine wine with time.

EXERCISE:

How can you see yourself as getting better — not just older — with each passing day?  How might greater mindfulness and self-awareness of the aging process help you experience a richer, more fulfilling life?