A couple of weeks ago Gloria and I celebrated our 40th anniversary at one of our favorite places in the world, our friends cottage on Lake Huron. As I sat on the deck, and watched yet another magnificent Port Albert sunset, I was reflecting on the beauty of the moment, the countless special moments over the years, and how critical it is that we not miss the moment.

I remembered, as I often do (some of you have heard me recount this story) that moment sitting on the deck of my London home, grumbling about the fact that half the children in the neighbourhood were in my back yard chewing up my grass and trampling my flowers. Gloria’s comment has been forever etched in my mind and heart … “One day the kids will be gone and the grass will still be here” WOW, how true!

» Continue reading “CHERISH THE MOMENTS !!”

Leo Buscaglia wrote, “Life lived for tomorrow will always be just a day away from being realized”

I spend a great deal of time planning and strategyzing for myself, and helping others build their success plans. I believe this to be the absolute most critical key to acheiving success. It is however very important to realize that there is only one point in time that we ever really have control over, and that is the present moment. To fail to plan will result in missing life’s most important moments, and to fail to followthrough with your plan will get you the same results.

Let’s take a moment here … I want to encourage you to STOP and reflect in this moment. Are there memories of past moments lost? Are there present opportunities you are in danger of missing? Is there someone you need to connect with or something you need to do that you have been putting off? Is the noise and clutter of your mind causing you to not be present in important moments?
» Continue reading “SOME KEYS TO SEIZING THE MOMENT”

I enjoy watching my grandkids play sports.  Most intriguing the past couple of years has been watching 10 year old Adam experience the learning curve of playing baseball.  Here, after hitting a single, he gets instruction from the first base coach  … pay attention to the signs, watch the pitch, get ready to run, go when I tell you, don’t go if it is a catchable fly ball, watch the runner on second, etc. etc. When in the field, there is another list of things to remember … move in, play deeper, move over, back up the throw to at first base, watch the runner, check the sign, try to get the lead runner, etc. etc.  Sometimes these young player are just spinning and total confusion results, other times they simply lose focus and forget to follow through with their assignment.  It is interesting for me to watch the frustration levels of the coach elevate, adding to the confusion on the field.

Watching baseball is a different experience to watching hockey. Although I would rather watch a hockey game any day, I thoroughly enjoy watching Adam’s ball games (sitting in a lawn chair on a warm summer evening beats the cold arena hands down). The slower pace however allows for a more cerebral and strategic interaction between the coach and the player.  While watching  the game, my mind often wanders as I reflect on coaching experience I may have had earlier that day.  I wonder if I had been effective in helping my client, think through the options and proceed to the next base.

I want my grandson to develop the skills, pay attention to the coaches, learn the game, but above all else, I want him to experience personal joy and fullfillment in the process.  We all know how debilitating it can be when joy and fulfillment has vacated the experience.

With this ezine greeting, goes out my sincere wish that you will find the personal fulfillment and experience genuine joy as you engage the challenge of the game.        H Byne

Recently someone asked me why I enjoyed my work coaching individuals and teams in a business context.  Before I had chance to answer, he added,“it has to be the most frustrating way to make a living!” The question and his subsequent comment was stimulus for me to think about what I do and why I do it.

• I love to ask questions. I love watching as people are caused to think about and put words to important issues in their life and business.  I love to be a stimulus for discovery.
• I love to see people discover their value. Life experiences can cause us to feel devaluled and invalidated.  I love to help people clarify their worth and discover new confidence to face their challenge.
• I love to be a catalyst for change. I love helping people confront their barrjers, explore options, and develop response strategies, that result in increased levels and new horizons.
• I love to witness progress. I love it when the lights go on and a persons eyes sparkle as they see possibilities.  I love it when I hear their success stories and get to celebrate their victories with them.
• I love it when we connect to that deeper place. I love when a person discovers their unique self and is able to connect what they do, to who they are.  I love it when one’s experience of making a living becomes synchronized with one’s passion for being alive.