John S. Gordon - Business and Personal Coach

"You have the greatness and the power.  I just help you turn on the switch."

Welcome to Issue 281.  The mission of "Marvelous Mondays" is to offer an inspirational thought, a practical exercise, some humor, or a simple tip to jump-start your week and to enhance your life, business, outlook or relationships. 

Please feel free to forward "Marvelous Mondays" to others who will enjoy it.   

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COURAGE

Maya Angelou continues to teach us invaluable life lessons through her writings, poetry, and by her example.  She believed courage is the most valuable virtue. 

When asked what she learned from her mother, Maya Angelou responded "To develop courage. And she taught me by being courageous herself.  I realized that one isn't born with courage. One develops it by doing small courageous things-in the way that if one sets out to pick up a 100-pound bag of rice, one would be advised to start with a five-pound bag, then 10 pounds, then 20 pounds, and so forth, until one builds up enough muscle to lift the 100-pound bag. It's the same way with courage. You do small courageous things that require some mental and spiritual exertion."

LEARNED COURAGE

Maya Angelou stated courage is not inherent.  However, it is something we learn and develop.  Taking small courageous steps prepares you for bigger challenges that might have once looked impossible.    

1. Here are some examples of courage: courage to believe in yourself, courage to make a career change, courage to ask for a promotion, courage to make time for a hobby or travel, courage to try something new (public speaking, singing, dancing, playing an instrument), courage to start or resume dating, courage to let go of a relationship, courage to be honest with yourself and others by expressing your true needs and desires.
2. It takes courage to admit you don't have all the answers or that you are stuck.
3. It may take courage to reach out to a friend, a teacher, a mentor, or a coach to ask for assistance.
4. Courage is the underlying strength to grow and achieve. 

I invite you this week to reflect on the following:

1. Observe someone whom you believe is courageous. 

2. Is there a challenge, an issue, or a decision in your life that will require more courage?

3. Take one small courageous step this week towards that attaining that goal.

4. Was this one step difficult or not as hard as you expected it would be?  Continue to take incremental courageous steps and acknowledge yourself for developing this virtue.

"I think courage is the most important of all virtues.  Without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently." 

-Maya Angelou

                   **John is currently accepting a few new coaching clients.**