5 Remarkable People Questions

 1. What brings you the most joy?

 2. Why does this bring you joy?

 3. What two actions can you take today to have more time for 1?

 4. How committed are you to taking these two actions? (1-10)

 5. What would it take to move the commitment to 10.

 Take 6 or 7 minutes for all the questions. Don’t get bogged down in analysis. Don’t let barriers rise up. Just let the answers flow from you. Write them down. Put this sheet away and reflect on your answers for a day. Tomorrow come back to your answers and jot down what you notice. If you are satisfied and ready for a small step, act on one of your actions. If not answer question 1 again. Rinse and Repeat.

New Season

The beginning of a new month, a new season often stirs the promise of change in certain elements of our lives. "This is a good time to eat better and get more exercise", " I am going to get up an hour earlier every day and read a good book and make my lunch", I need to listen to him/her more - things could be so much better", " I am going to volunteer", "I am going to find love", " I am going to change things" First, let me tell you that you are remarkable, or at least remarkable is waiting to bloom in your life. Remarkable people live remarkable lives by recognizing their strengths and using them to strengthen themselves and others. That stirring that you are feeling is the remarkable you trying to break out of the mediocrity that the world tries to convince us is the best we can be. Every day we hear messages from big government, big business, big media, big charity that tell us "don't worry your silly little head about that, we will take care of it." In most cases the Big can't, won't and shouldn't be responsible for actions, tasks, services that we are able to look after ourselves. To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, " I believe every person, given the opportunity and circumstances will take care of herself, his family and her community. But we need to let the remarkable you out, into the world where your small actions can make a big difference (in your life and those around you). Today's challenge is to take a risk - take a small step or better yet a series of small steps towards the change you are seeking (even if it isn't fully formed or understood yet). Taking action is always better than doing nothing. If the first step is a misstep or doesn't quite hit the mark, we can adjust, amend, reverse but if we sit on our couch waiting for amazing to arrive - it will be a long wait and we won't learn what the next step in the journey should be. I urge you accept the challenge and tell others how you did by jotting a comment. Next post will be about how you can fuel the journey with your passion. Make Today Remarkable and tell us how you did.

Leadership or Executive Coaching: Who Needs It?

Reposted from http://www.stepshift.co.nz Tags: leadership coaching, leadership development Posted in: Developing Leaders – Lynn | Monday, January 17th, 2011 So what is it with leadership coaching? Who does need it? Utilising a leadership coach is certainly not an indication that you are an under performer. In the sporting world all the great individual sportsmen and teams recognise the value of a good coach for development of technique, strategy, mental application and focus. What benefits do they and thousands of other successful people get from a good coaching relationship? High performers use leadership coaches for a variety of reasons. A common factor is that they recognise that they do not have all of the answers themselves and that an experienced and skilled leadership coach can assist them to find some answers. An effective executive coach encourages and supports their client to reach further and to achieve more by : providing a perspective that the client cannot provide themselves listening and providing a safe environment where the client can express and resolve their concerns and doubts testing and challenging assumptions held by the client assisting the client set and achieve goals that are challenging providing reassurance and comfort to the client that they are on the right track imposing a discipline on the client’s planning and implementation (a sort of personal fitness trainer for the client’s life) Being coached is a very demanding but fulfilling process and is not an ‘easy option’. Leadership Coaches expect and obtain a lot from their clients. A good executive coach does not shy away from their client but challenges them in a straight forward and uncompromising way to achieve their goals. Fast Company Magazine stated, “Executive coaches are not for the meek. They’re for people who value unambiguous feedback. All coaches have one thing in common, it’s that they are ruthlessly results-oriented.”

Integrity

Integrity has no need of rules. ~ Albert Camus

What is it to be a person of integrity?

I started writing this post on integrity but then came across this post on the Good Men Project and realized that I couldn't say it any better.
On this Easter weekend, make a commitment to Walk your Talk.

Go over to Remarkable Lives
on Facebook to be eligible for a May 1 draw.

Character

"Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." Abraham Lincoln

What shadow are you casting? Is the tree providing amazing fruit to others? Does it have strong roots in values? Is it still growing or has it been stilted by circumstances?

It is time, it is always time, to consider your character and reputation. What legacy will you leave? If you understand your values, live them every day, you are on your way to authenticity, one of the elements needed for character. If you live your values, even when they aren't popular, even if they aren't expedient, even when those around you are going a different way( the tree) then you are seen as authentic (the shadow).


There are many character traits that remarkable people living remarkable lives exemplify. The character sets are likely different for every person you know or know about but there may be as many as fifty traits that many of those that fit the remarkable category share. Every Tuesday for the next while I am going to tackle two or three with examples from the world around us.

Curiosity
Like most character traits, curiosity is learned and cultivated. The nurturing of an inquisitive mind at home, with family, in play, and encouraged by reading, games, experiments, and challenges fosters curiosity. Most formal education systems stifle curiosity in favor of conformity, rules, models and theories but a young inquisitive mind can survive with a little prompting. Children, before attending school, ask "why" and adults that question should be celebrated. If you need some encouragement to be curious, Don Latumahina's post offers 6 tips.

The inventors and activists share this trait. They are able to see new ways for old ideas to fit together and imagine new ideas that may lead to something interesting and/or useful. Most are risk embracers and seem to see mistakes/failures as new doors to the next path. Edison may have failed more than 2000 times before he found a working lightbulb and said "Genius is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."

Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Wayne Gretsky, Marie Currie, Mother Teresa all failed before their first successes but continued to be inquisitive, persistent and optimistic that their efforts would lead to a different opportunity.

Initiative

Initiative is often paired with curiousity. In the face of a problem and the possibility of failure, the power to begin or to follow through with a plan or task turns a challenge into an opportunity.
Muhammad Yunus saw the same poverty that millions witnessed throughout the sub continent, he felt compassion just as hundreds of thousands did, he said "this is unacceptable" as thousands had but he stepped forward, put his own skin in the game and took the first step. He loaned $27 from his own pocket, received repayment and took step two, three and four that has lead to Grameen Bank providing necessary financing in the order of $7Billion with a more than 94% repayment rate.

Curiousity and initiative seem to fit together - build, fix, build, fix, build again.

Remarkable Employees

A great post a couple of weeks ago has been stirring around in my list of subjects. An Inc. article by Jeff Haden 8 Qualities of Remarkable Employees resonated with me.

Jeff lists 8 qualities (all of which I like to think I have) beginning with;

They ignore their job descriptions. In my world this is reflected in a need for flexibility and a great deal of comfort with ambiguity. Creativity blossoms when we not only think outside the box but we step away and create a whole new shape which likely isn't possible with a rigid job description

They're eccentric. Same old, same old brings same old results. In the paradigm shift we are living in, staus quo breeds familiarity which breeds contempt.

They know when to dial it back. This is the harmony piece I struggle with.I shun the idea of balance because I believe we are called to live in tension so I often miss the subtle clues (like a verbal smack) that I have gone too far.

They publicly praise. I often say that "anyone on our small team would take a bullet for me and I for them" because they passionately believe in the why, how and what of our organization. Great reminder to tell them what amazing work they do and what a difference they make.

They privately complain. Everything isn't rainbows and unicorns and venting can be an impetus to change. Complaints are part of communication. After dwelling in the space take a big step out and see the abundance surrounding us.

They speak when others won't. This is both courage and compassion exemplified (or it can be). When we see/hear/feel something out of sorts, it is our responsibility to speak up. I like the Homeland Security poster I saw at SFO " if you see something, say something".

They like to prove others wrong. This isn't the vindictive backbiting shrewish approach but rather the driven mismatching doer style. When faced with barriers, they overcome. When faced with criticism, they persevere. When faced with opposition, they excel.

They're always fiddling. I really like the relentless change agents in my life. Those who are constantly evaluating, adapting, re-evaluating and making changes. The entrepreneur approach of 'build, fix, build, fix ...' can lead to as yet unimagined solutions.

Go out there today and be a remarkable employee, a remarkable friend, a remarkable citizen.

Éirinn go brách

I wish you not a path devoid of clouds

nor a life on a bed of roses.

Not that you might never need regret

nor that you should never feel pain.




No, that is not my wish for you.

My wish for you is:

That you might be brave in times of trial

when others lay crosses upon your shoulders,

when mountains must be climbed

and chasms are to be crossed,

When hope can scarce shine through.

That every gift God gave you might grow with you

And let you give your gift of joy

to all who care for you.




That you may always have a friend

who is worth that name,

whom you can trust

and who helps you in times of sadness and

who will defy the storms of daily life at your side.

One more wish I have for you...

That in every hour of joy and pain

you may feel God close to you.

This is my wish for you and for all who care for you

This is my hope for you...now and forever.

unknown Irish author

Disagreement

I used to believe that remarkable people always agreed. There was an answer, an absolute answer, to every question. There was a solution, a perfect solution, to every problem. There was one way, one response, one truth.

I now understand that it is in disagreement that the as yet unimagined arises. A better than compromise position is found to what seems to be intractable differences. This happens not because I am right and you are wrong but because we listen, listen globally, to each other and allow the brilliance inside both of us to shine through the absolutes and biases.

I spoke last night to a group from MRUAA Bissett School of Business Alumni Chapter.. I opened with some personal journey stuff, followed with BB4CK's 'make it your problem philosophy and practice' and closed with the challenge to embrace the amazing abundance in our world that is ready and waiting. I saw nods and head shakes from the audience so I knew I was hitting the right balance.

The other speaker, Jordan Hamilton from the Drop-In Center, talked about why people stay at the homeless shelter - low income (30%), mental health (30%), and addictions(30%) and told stories both celebratory and tragic about the people involved. I was thinking that even though I have known Jordan for more than 5 years I didn't realize how differently we saw the world. Where I saw abundance, he saw scarcity. Where I saw opportunity, he saw challenge. Where I saw possibility, he saw tragedy. Until he said " we don't follow the Homeless Foundation's 'housing first model" but believe in 'community first'". A light bulb went on, we were defining community differently. His definition was far more encompassing but more local and linear. Hearing that distinction, I realized that we were saying many of the same things;
- people are more capable than given credit for
- we are responsible for each other
- we all have responsibilities
- we need to strengthen others by helping them find their 'natural' supports

We still disagree on the approach to solutions. I see and BB4CK confirms an amazing abundance and possible prosperity for all and Jordan is worried about how the next expense should be covered but maybe we just need to listen better and let the unimagined become present.

Thanks for your Support

Toupee for a Day in support of the great work of Wellspring Calgary.

When was the Last Time

When was the last time that you did something for the first time? Are you living every day with your cards tightly against your vest avoiding all risk and subsequently many exciting opportunities. This past weekend, my beloved and I headed north to the Cline River Heliport to experience a ride to the top of the glacier. Our kids had given us a Groupon coupon for Icefield Heli Tours as a Christmas gift and we were able to book the excursion on the only weekend that we both have off. First, the ride was amazing, the pilot competent and funny, the hike to the falls was bright and sunny and we went up/down/up and down safely. I had never been on a helicopter before and hadn't given consideration for anything that might go wrong ~ until the chopper lifted off backwards and the wind gusted in and gave us a pretty good shake. Adrenalin flowing, eyes wide open, we saw ice climbers going up the falls and tree tops blowing through the windows. I was able to settle down and enjoy the journey which is tough to do for a destination focused guy. The experience is etched in my memory and in the 125 photos we took to help remember that there are still lots of first times in our future.
What challenge faces you tomorrow or next week that you can choose to embrace or avoid? Is there a small first step you can take to remind yourself of the excitement of taking measured chances?

An Extra Day

Inspired by Gena at Dexterity Consulting and Calgary Chamber of Commerce iF Series I started thinking about my February 29. Would I appreciate or assimilate the 24 hours? Would I just cram more of the same into the time between 5am and 10pm or would I open my head, heart and hope to something else?
If I look back to other significant days ~ statutory holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, I see that more and more they just blend into the work-a-day pace with a possible short acknowledgement over a meal. How did that happen? When did I stop pausing to smell the flowers?
I am going to take the day or maybe release the day is more apt. There is a copy of "Atlas Shrugged" sitting nearby that I will start with and watch where the day takes me. As a through-time planner this can be a very difficult exercise, seemingly impossible to let Que Sera, Sera have any room.

I will be attending the iF presentations this afternoon with some great friends and will try not to feel guilty that I am choosing pleasure over productivity.

Abundance exists in any economy. If you understand that living an abundant life, one filled with enough and then some, then you can begin to understand that it can’t be measured merely by accumulation (or maybe not at all).
Stephen Covey said “People with a scarcity mentality tend to see everything in terms of win-lose. There is only so much; and if someone else has it, that means there will be less for me. The more principle-centered we become, the more we develop an abundance mentality, the more we are genuinely happy for the successes, well-being, achievements, recognition, and good fortune of other people. We believe their success adds to…rather than detracts from…our lives.”
What are the values in your principled-centered approach to the world? For me I celebrate some the questions that Wendy and Dave Ulrich pose in " The Why of Work".

1. Who am I? My abundance is built on a clear sense of who I am and why I use my strengths to strengthen others.

5. What challenges interest me? My abundance doesn't exist in the absence of challenge but rather in how I respond to it.

7. What delights me? Simple pleasures like laughing (at ourselves), appreciating beauty, relishing excellence help me feel cared for, happy, and excited about life.

On this Canadian Family Day I am reflecting on;

3. Who do I travel with? My relationships, collegial, social and familial enhance my abundance when I honour the care, time and complexity it takes to sustain them well.

If you would like to read the complete list or follow up on their work check out the Ulrich's work available on Amazon.

Sneak Peek

I'm perticipating in Toupee for a Day on March 7. This is a sneak peek of what I will look like for the whole day, with your support

Help me raise funds to support free programming for our family, friends and colleagues who are living with cancer -- programs complementary to medical treatment, supporting physical, emotional and social needs.

Thank you for generosity!

Grow a Pair

Jessica Hagy has once again made some simple and interesting points in her Forbes article. this week. I will conclude my commentary on her ninth way to become more interesting. If you are interested in the others, click the link above.
9. Grow a pair.
Bravery is needed to have contrary opinions and to take unexpected paths. If you’re not courageous, you’re going to be hanging around the water cooler, talking about the guy who actually is.


Take a moment and think about the three most interesting people that you personally know. Make a list.

What makes them interesting? Do they avoid important discussions? Do they allow others to take the lead on every project? When they express themselves, do they meekly, weakly make suggestions? or are they passionate, courageous, confident, and considerate?

On my list, all three know their values, speak their values, and live their values even when it isn't easy, isn't popular and may not even be an advantage to themselves. They are authentic and remarkable.

Would you like to be passionate and reasonable, outspoken and considerate, confident, courageous and reasonable? What would be the first step that you need to take? Don't worry about the 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 127th steps, what would be the first step? Write it down.
Now take it. Take that step right now. Write a comment. Start a blog. Make a phone call. Send an email. Go for a run. Whatever came to your mind as the first step ` take it and tomorrow, evaluate and ask the same question. " Today, what would be the first step, I need to take to be the remarkable person that I am."

How to be More Interesting 2

Jessica Hagy has once again made some simple and interesting points in her Forbes article. this week. I am going to try to do justice to her brilliance by commenting on a couple each post for the next few days.

Have a cause.
If you don’t give a damn about anything, no one will give a damn about you.


Among all the remarkable people I meet every week, there is invariably someone who says something like " I feel like I have been sold a bill of goods. Fifteen years ago I was told, get a good education, find someone you love, settle down, buy a house, have some kids, get a bigger house and then you will be happy. Did it, did it, did it, got it ~ not" They go on to say that they felt more happiness and purpose in the 3 hours they spent volunteering with us than they have in the past 10 years. How can that be?
Daniel Pink believes that we can improve our lives (work and otherwise) if in addition to having basic needs met, we also have autonomy, mastery, and purpose. " Purpose - the yearning to do what we do it the service of something greater than ourselves." A cause can help fill the purpose space.

More than 5 years ago I posted some ideas, on Action Today, about how you can find a cause that will resonate with you. If you are joining us and allowing yourself and the world know that you are remarkable, the post might be a great first step.

Jessica's Ten Steps to Being Interesting

Jessica Hagy has once again made some simple and interesting points in her Forbes article. this week. I am going to try to do justice to her brilliance by commenting on a couple each post for the next few days.

1.Go exploring.
Explore ideas, places, and opinions. The inside of the echo chamber is where all the boring people hang out.




The power of curiosity can save your mind, your life, the world. Seek out contrarians, disruptives, and those who see the world differently from you. Open a book that doesn't look interesting, watch a piece of documentary propaganda that may not be your cup of tea, get outside an watch wildlife being wild. Plan one activity (15 minutes or longer)each day for the next 3days that not only gets you out of your box but takes you far enough away from the sides that you feel a biy uneasy. Share here what you discover about the world, your community and yourself. Which leads us to;
2. Share what you discover.
And be generous when you do. Not everybody went exploring with you. Let them live vicariously through your adventures




You can know you are interesting and remarkable but unless you let a glimmer out - who else will know? Take 5 minutes to gather your thoughts (no more than 5 minutes) and then post on Facebook, tweet, blog or better yet go for coffee with a friend and tell them a story about your experience. Maybe begin with " I don't know if this really happened but I know it is true".

You are remarkable ~ let the world know!

What is Your Possibility

What is possible for you and who can help sow the seeds and help you nurture your dreams? The best person might be someone close enough to you to care but not so close that they are blinded by your grandeur. My beloved is my biggest fan but probably wouldn't provoke tough questioning. The curse of perfection that paralyzes us with fear of failure or worse looking like a failure won't be much help. If you have an imperfectionist in your life, someone who takes action first and then analyses adapts and acts. Most entrepreneurs and those with abundant successful lives risk every day, some risks are small and some are great but they are willing, almost anxious to take the chance to build, fix, build fix ...
They are the kind of person who can lead you to the edge of impossible and then help you discover new possibilities.

Are you ready for a live filled with abundance, challenges and opportunities?

Be Bold

I read a post yesterday at ForImpact by the same title. The short quote from Goethe and the poster's summation " Being BOLD seems to be a pretty big deal if you really are trying to CHANGE THE WORLD!" got me thinking about boldness. Where does being bold come from? The fuller text of JWG's quote offers some insight.
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."
It seems boldness comes from commitment, from from committing to oneself
from Anglo-Fr. had commettement. The world changing begins with you being fully committed, to yourself and to your plan, your dream.
People who know they are remarkable see a whole stream of events unfold in front of them, not mystically but because by definitely committing they have their eyes and ears open to the abundance that surrounds them.
Commit to a dream today, be bold, be remarkable.

Being Remarkable

Every week I meet hundreds of remarkable people. Many know they are remarkable, some the world knows are remarkable, but unfortunately most don't yet know that the have potential to be remarkable.

Each of us has the opportunity and ability to live fulfilled, passionate lives. Inside us is the potential for achieving success, success as defined and created by our own initiative, interest, intellect, and action.

A personal coach can help you define and achieve the life you desire. Through reflection, provocation, guidance, and accountability your coach can help you become the remarkable person you are destined to become.