Tag Archives: The Quotable Coach

A crowded mind leaves no space for a peaceful heart

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“A crowded mind leaves no space for a peaceful heart.”

—Christine Evangelou — U.K. poet

Image from Unsplash by Angel Balashev

If a crowded mind leaves no space for a peaceful heart, consider your mind’s clutter like shoes in the hallway: Each worry and thought is a trip hazard to calm.

Serenity can’t squeeze in where endless to-do lists and past regrets pile up.

Consider sweeping the mental mess with mindful moments: deep breaths, laughter, or jotting worries on paper to clear the floor.

Notice how the heart sighs in relief when the mind steps aside. A peaceful heart isn’t found in chasing every thought — it’s found in the gentle gaps, open spaces, and intentional pauses throughout our days.

EXERCISE:

Close your eyes and picture a broom sweeping through your mind, gathering all your worries and stray thoughts into a pile and letting it go.

Consider asking others in your life for their best strategies to make room for a more peaceful heart.

Be the kind of person who is worthy of respect, kindness, and love

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Be the kind of person who is worthy of respect, kindness, and love.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by David Clode

Being a person worthy of respect, kindness, and love starts with how one treats others — even when no one is watching.

It means choosing honesty, offering support, and listening deeply, displaying compassion in both big and small moments.

Being worthy isn’t earned through accomplishment or status, but through daily choices to be patient, forgiving, and open-minded.

By nurturing these qualities, relationships flourish and mutual trust grows. When respect, kindness, and love are cultivated within, they naturally extend outward, creating a ripple effect in the world.

Living this way is a lifelong journey, a series of intentions and actions that make others feel valued.

Ultimately, the person who continuously strives to embody these virtues is truly worthy of these gifts.

EXERCISE:

Who are the people in your life most worthy of respect, kindness, and love?

How can you apply their good examples to coach yourself to be worthy of these gifts as well?

FRIDAY REVIEW: CREATIVITY

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FRIDAY REVIEW: CREATIVITY

What place does creativity have in your life? Here are a few related posts you may have missed.

 

“Always create before you consume.”

 

 

 

 

 

“Optimism is a performance enhancing drug that’s both legal and free.”

 

 

 

 

For creativity to flourish, you need to allow yourself to break rules, defy convention, and color outside the lines.

 

 

 

 

We often think that we want an open road

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“We often think that we want an open road and the ability to choose any direction for ourselves. But sometimes, what we need is a tunnel that can reduce our choices and send us in a focused direction.”

—James Clear, American Author

Image from Unsplash by Daniel Jerez

The pursuit of endless possibilities often feels thrilling — a wide-open road promising freedom and self-determination.

Yet, in moments of overwhelm, too many choices can breed indecision and anxiety. Sometimes, what we truly need isn’t boundless options, but a tunnel: a clear path guiding us forward.

By narrowing our focus, we eliminate distractions and can pour our energy into meaningful progress. Constraints can be empowering, transforming what feels like limitation into a sharp sense of purpose.

EXERCISE:

Where might greater clarity and direction — a purposeful tunnel — offer you greater fulfillment than a wide-open road ever could?

Consider reading “The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less” by Barry Schwartz for additional ways to combat the overwhelming abundance of choices we all face each day.

I used to be afraid of failing at the things that really mattered to me

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“I used to be afraid of failing at the things that really mattered to me, but now I’m more afraid of succeeding at the things that don’t matter.”

—Bob Goff, American lawyer, speaker, and author

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

Many people believe that failure is the enemy. They shrink back, terrified of falling short in pursuits that they deeply desire. This fear keeps them frozen — hesitant to take risks, hesitant to really live.

Turning this idea on its ear, perhaps the real danger isn’t just in failing — but in succeeding at the wrong things.

What good is climbing higher if your ladder is leaning against the wrong wall?

Real failure is neglecting the efforts that make us come alive. Real success is measured in meaning not metrics.

EXERCISE:

Where might stumbling towards what matters — rather than sprinting confidently toward what doesn’t — make the biggest difference in your personal or professional life?

At crossroad moments consider which response will best produce the outcomes you desire

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At crossroad moments consider which response will best produce the outcomes you desire.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Mike Enerio

Life is full of crossroads — moments when our choices shape our futures.

When standing before a big decision, pause and ask yourself: Which response will lead me closer to the outcome I truly desire?

Instead of acting on impulse or fear, step back, envision your goals, and let them guide you.

Sometimes, the brightest path isn’t the easiest or most obvious one, but the one that aligns best with your deepest aspirations. You have the power to choose not just your direction, but your attitude, as well.

Approach each crossroad with hope, clarity, and intention. Take a breath, trust yourself, and boldly choose the response that moves you toward the life you want.

EXERCISE:

Map your options using the Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize choices by urgency and importance.

This tool helps highlights which responses are most aligned with your goals and which are distractions, guiding clearer and more impactful decisions.

Work is an expression of ourselves

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“Work is an expression of ourselves, and a chance to find meaning as we make a difference and earn a living.”

—Seth Godin, American author and marketing expert

Image from Unsplash by Belinda Fewings

Work is far more than a paycheck — it’s an expression of who we are and what we value.

Each task, interaction, and contribution allows us to reveal our skills, passions, and character.

When we see work not just as “what we do” but as “who we bring,” it becomes a pathway to purpose.

Through our efforts, we can make a difference for others, whether by solving problems, creating beauty, offering service, or inspiring growth.

At its best, work balances two essential needs: the practical need to earn a living and the human desire to find meaning.

When we align our work with our gifts and values, it transforms from obligation into opportunity — a daily chance to add value and leave a lasting mark on the world.

EXERCISE:

Take a few minutes each morning to notice your emotions, thoughts, and energy, and set your intentions of how you want to show up at work.

Each evening, reflect or journal how things went that day.

If wisdom is understanding the long-term consequences of your actions

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“If wisdom is understanding the long-term consequences of your actions, judgement is applying that wisdom to make better decisions. Judgement, in effect, is applied wisdom.”

—Rohan Rajiv, Author of A Learning a Day Blog

Image from Unsplash by Kyle Glenn

Wisdom and judgement work hand-in-hand, shaping the way we live and lead.

Wisdom is more than knowledge — it’s the ability to see beyond the moment and understand the long-term consequences of our choices.

But wisdom alone is not enough.

Without judgement, it remains theory, a quiet voice never acted upon.

Judgement is wisdom in motion — the daily practice of applying insight to decisions both big and small.

It prevents us from repeating mistakes and guides us toward actions that align with our values and goals.

When we cultivate judgement, we turn awareness into impact.

True growth comes not from simply knowing what is right, but from consistently choosing to act on that wisdom.

EXERCISE:

Value check your decisions today to determine how well your choices align with you values and long-term goals.

Applying this practice daily will decidedly impact the way you live and lead.

 

Your success depends on the risks you take

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“Your success depends on the risks you take. Your survival depends on the risks you avoid.”

—James Clear, NYT Best-Selling Author

Image from Unsplash by Loic Leray

At first glance, the two ideas in today’s quote seem opposite — but together, they form the balance of living a meaningful life.

Success generally requires bold moves, stepping into the unknown, and daring to stretch beyond comfort.

Every achievement is born from someone willing to say, “I’ll try,” yet survival reminds us to discern which risks are worth it.

Not every risk leads upward, some lead to unnecessary harm.

Wisdom lies in knowing when to move forward with courage — and when to pause with clarity.

The art of living fully isn’t about avoiding risk, nor chasing everyone — it’s about choosing bravely, but not blindly.

EXERCISE:

What is your current relationship with taking risk?

What wisdom and experiences have your gained over the years to choose bravely but not blindly?