Someone is waiting for YOU to come along

Posted on March 27, 2010 by pdncoach

I don’t usually post at The Intersection of Purpose and Now on Saturday, so I hope someone finds this to be a special treat (honestly, I hope someone FINDS it!).  

My friend Julie Causey shared the following Leo Buscaglia quote that she has carried with her for years. To know her is to know she has read it so many time that now her life – her words, actions, habits – “says” the same things daily.

Julie’s borrowed affirmation reminded of my own, so I offer hers as a gift for my readers today:


The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticket-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our encouragement, who will need our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring; all of which have the potential to turn a life around. It’s overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt.

Leo Buscaglia

  • What is your “grand aim”, your grand affirmation?
  • What simple philosophy guides your life’s journey?
  • How well do your daily words, actions and habits reflect your virtuous ideal? How do you know?
  • How would your life be different if you had such an aim?
  • How would your life be different if you lived according to your Grand Aim even more fully? 

Don’t look up to find the greatest people, look down – they’re probably serving you. #BeOriginal

Join me at the Intersection of Purpose & Now.
Posted in core values, Grand Affirmation, Purpose, razor's edge, vision | Leave a comment

Part 2: Is The Cost of Personal Development Too High? – The Three Currencies of Cost.

Posted on March 25, 2010 by pdncoach

Yesterday I asked you to consider which was most important to you, your personal entertainment or your personal development.  Then I asked you to take the “Calendar and Check Register Test” to measure your actual values.

I have asked this question of many people, and the overwhelming response is… guilt. Most people want to say they value personal development more highly than they do personal entertainment.  The “Calendar and Check Register Test” tells them otherwise.

Possible conclusion: the cost of personal and professional development may not be too high, but your investment may be too low. And I mean your investment of money, time AND emotion.

I always look forward to discussing cost with potential coaching clients, both individuals and corporate coaching prospects. Why? After all, “pricing” discussions make most people uncomfortable.  For me, the cost discussion reveals whether coaching is a sound investment for my prospective clients, it reveals possible ROI, and it reveals whether it is a sound investment for me. One thing I have learned in 20 years of coaching: I cannot be more invested in your success than you are.

I discuss Three Elements of Cost with every potential personal, professional or organizational prospect I serve. In fact, this may be one of the most valuable yet free services I provide to everyone, because it includes free coaching. Our conversation goes something like this:

First, there is the Cost of Money. The currency of financial cost, of course, is dollars and cents. I am sure, if you are like me and most people, no matter what I tell you about financial investment, it will be more than you want to pay. Correct?

Second, there is the Cost of Time. Of course, the currency of time cost is hours, days, maybe weeks, months or even years. I am sure, if you are like me and most people, no matter what I tell you about the cost of time may be, it will be more than you want to spend. Correct?

Third, there is the Cost of Change. The currency of change is not so obvious. The currency of change is commitment.  Would you agree that until we accurately determine your commitment to change, the cost of time and money is irrelevant? 

At this point in our discussion, whether this individual or organization ends up hiring me or not, our coaching relationship begins (because I find few people are able to pinpoint the source of their motivation and commitment without asking at least a few more questions).  These questions reveal, for me and for the person-being-coached, actual commitment to success and change that allows us both to make wise decisions.

In summary, if you are unhappy, dissatisfied, want improved results or simply to want to take your life and/or business “to the next level and beyond”, your investment of time and money cannot possibly be “too high” if your commitment to success is real.

Besides, aren’t you worth it?
http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=msturgell&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0385528752&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr

Join me at the Intersection of Purpose & Now.
Posted in change, commitment, personal development, three elements of cost | Leave a comment

Part 1: Is the Cost of Personal Development Too High?

Posted on March 24, 2010 by pdncoach

Which is most important to you: personal entertainment or personal development?

How do you know?  

Two sure-fire ways to measure importance is to look at how you allocate time and money – your calendar and finances. Let’s do some quick math regarding finances.  First, tally up on paper how much you spent on personal entertainment in the past year.  Look for this information in your personal accounting software, if you have it, or just look through your checkbook and credit card statements. 

To estimate your investments in entertainment, look for the obvious like new home entertainment purchases including technology like televisions, MP3 players and DVR machines… music, book and video purchases, rentals, Netflix or pay-per-view subscriptions, downloads and the like… and the not-so-obvious such as alcohol and dining out…  wine and book clubs, magazines, etc… vacations, even day trips (travel, lodging, food, other expenses)… sporting events and concerts… Get the idea?

As you did this, you probably ran across some travel expenses that were related to business or professional development – those don’t count as entertainment, at least not entirely.  Count them toward personal development, that is if YOU made some investment (not just your employer). Be honorable and separate out what might legitimately be considered an investment in personal or professional development. (Note: a night out at Hooters during your professional conference should most likely be counted as entertainment, regardless of who you were with!)

Now tally up any other development expenses, including the obvious like school tuition and training fees, personal development books and recordings, journal subscriptions (that you actually read), executive coaching fees, Weight Watcher membership, personal trainers, athletic club or professional memberships (only the ones you actually use; remember, be honorable)…  Include anything and everything you have done to develop yourself further as a person and as a professional in the past 12 months.

  • So where are you investing more? Which is most important to you: personal entertainment or personal development?  
  • How does that make you feel? 
  • Is there anything you would change?

Tomorrow, Part 2: Personal Development and the Three Currencies of Cost.
http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=msturgell&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1442132744&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr

Join me at the Intersection of Purpose & Now.
Posted in personal development | Leave a comment