What Is Truth?

We are celebrating the 241st anniversary of the United States this July. At times, I wonder if we remember the founding principles and values that created our country.

Divided opinion is nothing new in America. Throughout our history, our country has enjoyed diverse thinking and differing views. If we were unable to voice our ideas, then we would not be the land of the free. So even if we disagree with one another, healthy debate keeps our country strong.

Conflict is something we face consistently in life. I use this question for my personal reflection when faced with a struggle. “Am I seeing the truth of this situation, or just what I choose to believe about it?”

Enjoy your Independence Day wherever you may be celebrating! I hope you have a few moments to reflect on whatever is on your mind.

Perspective. A Little Something Extra.

“The more we narrow the definition of beauty, the more beauty we shut out of our lives.”  – Jim C. Hines

That quote appears in a fantasy novel. In this particular section of the book,  one of the main characters is thinking about the other characters in the book. This sentence intrigues me for several reasons. First, I think it is true.

Second, it reflects a chicken or the egg puzzle. Did the author craft this part of the story to make this point, or did the author have this thought while crafting this part of the story? We may never know, but just like the chicken and the egg, we get to enjoy both. We can appreciate the story, and we can appreciate the egg.

The third reason this sentence intrigues me because it gets at a very important point about our lives. We live day to day from our own perspective. Our view of the world is unique to ourselves. If we are not aware of the limits our reality, then we are not aware of our potential. We limit ourselves. I find it important to always challenge our own thinking.

I did not expect to find this quote in this book. Many people probably have read that sentence and not spent time thinking about the implication. But it is a great example of what we can find when we take the time to pause, become aware, listen, and think.

It also shows us that not all great ideas have to come from a textbook, or a professor. There are lessons all around us.

Are You Willing to Travel the Road to Success?

In a recent interview, when asked what he does in his spare time, Elon Musk said, “usually it’s work more.” Without a doubt, success is hard work. Most of us are not willing to put in the required work to reach the heights of success like Elon Musk.

Many people I coach have specific goals they want to achieve. Some are held back contained within their comfort zone. Others never test their limits because they just aren’t willing to put in the effort.

Successful people tend to be very focused and intent on achieving their goal. What we look at someone that is highly successful, we sometimes don’t see the  sacrifice they have made. They may have sacrificed time, money, relationships, or hobbies.

Successful people still have those things. But along their journey they gave up something to stay focused on their goal.

We all want success, but there is a limit to how much we are ready to sacrifice. Having a limit is fine. Knowing that sacrifice is required, and our limit, shouldn’t we be able to make better decisions?

The Ugly Truth About Productivity

We use electronic calendars, to-do lists, email, text messages, and other tools to improve our personal productivity. But the ugly truth is that regardless of your level of organization, productivity is a result of your actions.

When we look at productivity, we can divide our time into three areas: thinking about the work, organizing the work, and doing the work. All three are important, but productivity is based on what you actually do. Productivity is maximizing the work.

If you are like most people there are actions that are difficult. There are activities that would be very beneficial, but we shy away from them because they are outside our comfort zone. We fear rejection. We fear failure. We fear what others might think.

As a coach I recognize that we all have a barrier between what we want to achieve and where we currently are. Most people have a difficult time pushing themselves through the barrier without help or support. A coach plays a powerful role in the ability of a person to do more.

Think about some of the big goals you have for your career or your life. What actions are you not doing that are required to achieve these goals? Would a coach help you step out of your comfort zone, and move forward? If you would like to know more about using a coach, just let me know.