How is your day going? Maybe today is one of those days that you’ve come to the conclusion that it’s just a bad day. And if it isn’t today, maybe you are recovering from one yesterday or you might have one waiting for you tomorrow.
Whatever the case, we’ve all had them for one reason or another. It might have been a phone call or a meeting that didn't go well. Maybe an expectation went unmet. It might have been the result of being let down by a friend or co-worker. Or maybe you're dealing with an unwanted or unexpected health diagnosis.
If you’re going through it today, I’m sorry.
Bad days are hard. But what do you do with them?
A quick tip for handling negative feelings
One small step → one great start
Understanding the Structure of Experience
Do you struggle with comparing yourself to others?
Build connections by cultivating this quality
Today's thoughts influence tomorrow's outcomes 💭
Today's thoughts influence tomorrow's outcomes.
Recently, I listened to an interview with author Ryan Holiday. During the interview, Ryan talked about two particular phrases that were incredibly meaningful to him – so much so that he tattooed them on his arm.
His tattoos read “The Obstacle Is The Way” and “Ego Is The Enemy.”
Interestingly enough, he had these tattoos BEFORE they became the titles of two of his best-selling books.
The effort is enough.
Integrity is a funny thing -- it's long earned and easily lost.
Breaches of integrity can trainwreck lives, families, and organizations.
Yet every day, you and I will choose to keep our integrity or not through the choices we make.
Maintaining integrity is even more difficult when you feel underappreciated, underpaid, or undermined by another.
3 Ways To Manage Stress in an Increasingly Stressed Out Society
One toxic mindset that keeps you stuck
What if I told you that YOU can do the impossible?
What if you were just a few steps away from doing the impossible?
Sure, it may not feel like it from where you're at right now, but imagine with me...
No matter how average, boring, and predictable life may feel, you may be just a few steps away from doing the impossible.
And, doing the impossible begins with seizing the moment right before you.
One hack to grow in self-awareness when talking
I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for being a part of the leadership community we’re building at Bill Cox Coaching.
You are the best part of my job.
Watching you succeed in your field of expertise brings me incredible satisfaction.
I sign many of the emails I write to you with “for your growth” -- because I deeply desire to see you become all that God created you to be -- and I want to play a small part in helping you get to the next level.
And sometimes, I even get a front-row seat as you take a big step forward.
Do you work in an environment of grace?
Do you work in an environment of grace?
Are your co-workers for you? Are you for them?
Do they have your best interest in mind? Do you have theirs?
Do you show them grace? Do they offer you grace?
There is no environment quite like an environment of grace. In grace, you're free to try new things, to try again, fail, explore, learn, and grow. You can just be you. The freedom you feel in a grace-based environment is unparalleled – but like all freedoms, they aren't free.
An environment of grace comes at the cost of vulnerability. And for many leaders, that price is too steep to pay.
Who is the most difficult person to lead⁉
Who is the most difficult person for you to lead? Can you guess?
It’s not complaining Karen or grouchy Gus. It’s not set-in-his-ways Sam or even forgetful Frank.
No, it’s not your spouse or even one of your children -- but you do live with this person. In fact, you get your first glimpse of them as you brush your teeth in front of the mirror each morning.
It’s YOU!
How do you want to show up today?
How do you want to show up today?
I use this question frequently in coaching because I love its power to challenge your thinking and reset your mindset.
Imagine how different your life would be if you asked this question every day before work. How would your meetings, interactions, and email responses look different through this lens of self-reflection? So how do you want to show up at work?
How to help someone feel listened to (and loved)
Did you know that feeling "loved" improves your overall well-being?
You and I need to feel loved, and when we feel loved, we're healthier, more positive, and even more optimistic.
Researchers at Penn State have affirmed through two studies that: "… people who experienced higher "felt love" — brief experiences of love and connection in everyday life — also had significantly higher levels of psychological well-being, which includes feelings of purpose and optimism, compared to those who had lower felt love scores."
The most important thing you leave behind.
Your legacy is the most significant thing you leave behind.
Every day, as you live your life and influence others, you are constantly constructing your legacy. From the casual conversation around the water cooler at work to critical family meetings around the kitchen table -- you are instilling pieces of yourself in those around you.
But what is a legacy?
What do you want?
What do you really want?
When you’re unclear on what you want, you lose focus — chasing diversions from your true purpose and potential. And, when ego steps into that picture, it’s a disaster.
Holiday asserts, “All of us waste precious life doing things we don’t like, to prove ourselves to people we don’t respect, and to get things we don’t want.”
Do it afraid.
When to keep your mouth shut.
What was the best advice your parents offered you when growing up?
Parents are known for offering pithy pointers to their kids. -- and if you're like me, then you can easily finish these classic examples of parent-isms:
When life gives you lemons…(make lemonade)
A little dirt never…(killed anyone)
Stop crying or I'll give you something…(to cry about)
You catch more flies with honey…(than vinegar)
If ifs and buts were candies and nuts… we'd all have a good time (I've shared this with my son more times than I can remember)