INCLUSIVE PARTICIPATION

Jenny, a food scientist has been
working for a major consultancy,
 training a group of women in Dubai
on how to build a local food business.
 
Jenny’s passion though was to help women
in Kenya to build their food businesses.
She was trying to link her priorities,
and make it work financially.
 
Jenny knew she could sell her courses
to the wealthy Dubai women, and
then use the money to train
the poorer women in Kenya.
 
That would be a traditional
‘charity’ model, where we earn our
money and then give it (or use it),
to help those who are less well off.
 
Jenny took a different approach however,
and ran only one course.
On that course, she brought the women
from Dubai and Kenya, to work together.
 
One group paid and one group didn’t.
But they all learned how to build
their local food businesses together.
 
The women shared stories of cultural
difference, and built relationships that
not only spanned continents, but were
the beginnings of global businesses.
 
This is different to the typical charity
model where 'donors' and 'recipients'
do not meet and are separated
by an intermediary organisation.
 
This is inclusive participation.
One woman, one course, one group
of women, one world and one amazing
inclusion initiative from Jenny. 

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. What inclusive participation initiative could you create with your skills, experience and expertise? What is your passion? 
2. What help would you like to make this happen? Who could help you? ​

​WISHFUL THINKING

We can change the world and
help others with our positive
ideas and our kind thoughts.
This is more than wishful thinking.
 
For Quantum Physics tells us, that
every single thought that we have,
influences everything else
in the universe, simultaneously.

And so, 
What are you thinking about, today?
What are you wishing for, every day?
What would you like to see happen, now?

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. What is the most important thinking that you can do?
2. How will you develop the daily habit of Wishful Thinking?​

​POTHOLES
 
I remember the time when
I let down a close friend,
when I should have done more,
when I should have been there.
 
The memory stays with me
like a pothole in the road,
that I drive over now and then.
It jogs my regret.
 
For George, the fact that
I wasn’t there or didn’t help
may not have been a big deal.
And then, it might have been.
 
He is no longer here, and so,
there’s nothing to say now.
But for me, the sadness remains
like a pothole in the road.

​Day 461 of Des McCabe's Personal Development Exercises

CHILD-CENTRED EDUCATION
 
Over the last twelve months,
many children have struggled
not only academically, but also
in terms of their overall wellbeing,

 Some schools seem powerless
to address this need, whilst
others see these coming months
as a unique opportunity.
 
I am heartened by the example
of our local school, which has brought
back a group of 14 year-olds
who have 'fallen behind'.
 
Over the next six weeks, the
teachers will be working with pupils,
 (individually and in groups),
to improve their Maths and English
 
The aim is to support the whole person,
help each child to catch-up,
and for them to be ready for the
start of the new academic year.
 
This is a chilled-out Summer Club
with Pizza! Personal confidence
and team spirit are enhanced
as much as curriculum skills.
 
This initiative, with its positive
and empowering child-centred
approach, offers real help and support
to those children who need it most.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. What help and support could we offer to Parents or Teachers or Young People?
2. What initiative could we design or support?
3. How can we be creative - and use our skilsl to assist those young people whon need help most? 

DUVET
 
Our life is meant to be
an ongoing conversation with love.
It’s the seamless, constant and
eternal fabric of who we are.
For we are love, part of love
and with love in everything.
 
However, the noise and relentless
busyness and activities of life
smother this conversation.
It’s like a duvet has been placed
over our speaker and we hear
only a muffled sound.
 
So let’s go beneath the
duvet of the world, and be
in our silence, whenever we can.
For here the conversation continues,
as we explore, ask, learn, develop,
grow, listen and become....
all, in this space.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. As you snuggle down at night, be grateful for these priceless monemts as you drift into sleep - for this is your place of peace and love.
2. When you waken up each morning say hello to love - just to remind yourself who you are - and where the real conversation is....

ODD MAN OUT
 
Where do men go
to talk?
Where do men go
for friendship and support?
Where do men go
with their worries and fears?
 
Where do men go
to share their skills?
Where do men go
to find a place of acceptance?
Where do men go
to build their future?
 
Where do men go
to make a difference?
Where do men go
when they are on their own?
Where do men go
these days?

​THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

Many of us feel that we are
not fully in control of lives. 
We slip from day to day, event
to event, dealing with what comes,
or what happens next.

Many of us have never
been trained on exactly how
we can take control of our lives.
And this is a critical issue,
for personal effectiveness is
directly linked to our happiness.

We can change this from today,
by implementing a daily system
of ritual, routine and priority activities.

We can create this daily system
piece by piece, starting with an early 
morning routine (to take ownership of
the day), and then building our own
scaffolding of purposeful reading, writing
in our journal, walking, reflection, 
exercise, projects that are important
to us, silence, prayer or affirmations.

This is all about personal ownership.
It is taking control of our time, our 
thoughts, the messages we tell ourselves
(and tell others), our skills, our experience, 
our hopes and our potential.

It is this personal daily system
of ritual, routine and priority activities,
that enables us to shape our day.
For this in turn is what
shapes us, and who we are.

​​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. How might you develop or improve your Daily System for Personal Effectiveness?
2. What is your Morning Routine that enables you to take control of your day? 
3. Can these Personal Development Exercises becomes a part of your Daily System? 

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. Which strategy will you use for the rest of your day?
2. When should you 'seize the day' and when should you 'let go of the day'?

SOFTWARE OF OUR SOUL
 
All of our life is a prayer.
A prayer of gratitude.
 A prayer for forgiveness.
A prayer of hope.
A prayer for humility.
A prayer of trust.
A prayer for peace.
A prayer of love.
 
A prayer for gentleness.
A prayer for kindness.
A prayer for compassion.
A prayer for all of us who can,
and those who can’t.
 A prayer for those who need us.
A prayer for all of us.
A prayer for you, and me.

Prayer is not a bolt-on,
or an option for those
who understand religion.
Prayer is the software of our soul,
connecting us all,
to everyone and everything,
forever and ever.
 Amen.

STRAPLINE
 
What is your strapline?
How do you position yourself for the world?
What exactly are you working for?
What is the clear message that you give
to others who ask ‘what do you do?’
Do you talk about your current job
or who you really are?
 
Perhaps you are Building …
Working to  …
Helping to …
Dedicated to …
Passionate about …
Committed to …
Changing the. ..
 
What is your message for the world?
Why exactly are you here?
Can you summarize right now, all
that you are, in six to ten words?
For this is the phrase that people
remember, when they think about you.
Go now! Write down your strapline.

​ANSWERS WITHOUT QUESTIONS
 
Have you noticed how if we keep
asking ourselves the same questions,
we keep getting variations
of the same answer,
sometimes packaged as ‘new ideas’.
 
After a while we come to see,
that we’re asking the wrong questions,
and then we gently realise,
that there are in fact, no questions to ask,
only answers to be received.

​MY WAY
 
You will find the path
to your inner self.
Others can make suggestions
but only you know what is real.
 
It’s not in any pre-packaged
structure or methodology,
for you are your own solution
and will find your own way.
 
St Ignatius of Loyola famously
said ‘just do what works’.
And Frank Sinatra sang
about ‘My Way’.
 
So, keep asking or listening,
looking or reading,
being busy or sitting still,
and uncover your inner self.

​PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. Think about 'your way' and 'your path' to your inner self. What have you uncovered so far? 
2. Start a conversation with yourself in your Journal and you will notice new thoughts every day.

​
​TRANSACTIONAL ANALYSIS
 
It’s okay to be religious.
It’s okay not to be religious.
It’s okay to be spiritual, but not religious
 
It’s okay to believe in God.
It’s okay not to believe in God.
It’s okay not to be sure, about God.
 
You see ‘I’m okay, you’re okay’
means that we are all okay.
We can be together, in our own way.

​THE JOURNEY OF REMINISCING
 
It is only when we look back,
years later, that we really see
where we were at that time.
 
It is only now, in this moment,
that we can understand
what happened back then.
 
And we wonder,
​what if.....?

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1.   What do you need to look back at?
2.  What do you now understand that you didn't back then? ​

NEW DAY
 
Every day is different.
Every day is new.
Rediscover the ordinary.
Welcome what we take for granted.
Celebrate with those you meet.
Be open to filling all the spaces
of this day, in a new way.
For every day is different.

THE GREATEST PRAYER
 
The greatest prayer
is in our silence
where we have no words
and no thoughts.
Where nothing happens.
 
So, sit and say nothing.
Think of nothing,
as best you can.
And just be there
with the love you are.
 
For prayer
is not about religion,
nor any set of words.
Prayer is the place of love
within each of us.

EQUALITY FOR STRAWBERRIES​
 
It’s time to give equality
back to strawberries.
You see, years ago we could just
buy a punnet of strawberries.
 
Now we have labelled our
favourite summer fruit and
separated former friends and
family, into at least four categories.
 
Those at their peak
come with the highest price.
Those in their later days
get rapidly discounted,
and have a reduced label
plastered across their front.
 
Those with disabilities
are called ‘wonky’, as we highlight
some perceived ‘imperfection’.
And those who have less,
become ‘essentials’ or own brand.
 
I bought these four different
packets of strawberries and
emptied them into a bowl.
They all looked fabulous together
and tasted wonderful!

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. Find and celebrate what might be seen as different or imperfect in all that you encounter today. Take a photo or write down what you see....​

​BABY LOVE​
 
I marvel at the helplessness
and trust of your little baby girl,
who is totally dependent
on you for everything.
 
This is the same relationship
that we all have with love.
We too, live totally unaware
of all that sustains us.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. Who is the one who looks after us? ​

 APPRECIATION RATE
​
When others show their
appreciation for us,
our energy is boosted and
our relationship is strengthened.
We go forward, together.
 
Being taken for granted,
on the other hand,
takes away our energy,
drains our enthusiasm and
leaves us disappointed.

We can all share and enjoy
the gift of appreciation,
in every conversation.
Let's ​increase our Appreciation Rate
 and build a kinder world.

SOFT THINKING
 
The frame of our thinking
can be made of iron,
holding all fixed and secure,
difficult to move and
keeping all else out.
 
The frame of our thinking
can be made of wool,
holding all gently and
moving with the wind,
to greet all that comes.
 
Sometimes our perceived
strength is a real weakness,
and our real growth may be
in softness, flexibility and
a different type of thinking.

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

When I sit down at my desk
in the morning, it’s like
taking my seat at Mission Control.

For this is no ordinary desk.
It has a laptop that connects me
to the world!

I power up the machine and
all is laid out before me.
What shall we do today?

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. How is your laptop at the heart of your Mission Control? 
2. What is your Mission?
​3. What shall you do today?​

SELF-SCULPTURE

​ Personal development, is
about chipping away
at the pieces we do not like,
about ourselves.
 
It’s about using a selection
of tools, from heavy duty drills
to fine chisels, as we get closer
to what we might be.
 
For deep inside our concrete exterior
is our real self, looking to be freed.
Our perfect ‘me’ is already within us,
and so, we chip away.
 
You see, personal development
is not only  about learning
new skills, or adding more layers,
to what we already are.
 
Personal development is about
chipping away to uncover
what is already here,
and to become what we really are. 

CONSULTANCY SKILLS
 
It’s sometimes hard
to be a leader,
to stand out and
to stand alone.
 
This is the primary role
of a Consultant.
To have a perspective
and to lead.
 
Our role is to challenge
the value system,
for how else can we
give value for money?
 
And how else
will we enable others
to make changes,
that can make a difference?
 
We will not always
win the contract, for many
do not want to listen,
or change.
 
At times, we are all
called as Consultants,
to stand out and 
to stand alone.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EXERCISE
1. When did you last take a stand or give a different opinion to others? 
​2. What are your core values? Write these down.....​