https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/blog/blog-post-four-4343n monthly 0.5 2019-08-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5cdb0b54755be25d5d92bfb3/1565794519920-7ZV3FNWJON04K3BSJK6A/download.jpeg Blog - Blog Post Four https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/blog/blog-post-three-xe39j monthly 0.5 2019-08-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5cdb0b54755be25d5d92bfb3/1565794488032-9XBL84FW5EFN7IJBCXN9/download+%281%29.jpeg Blog - Blog Post Three https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/blog/blog-post-two-5rwbe monthly 0.5 2019-08-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5cdb0b54755be25d5d92bfb3/1565794203166-HK9O5SMXBCPW1RHBM3V5/image-asset.jpeg Blog - Blog Post Two https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/blog/blog-post-one-fw4fy monthly 0.5 2019-08-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5cdb0b54755be25d5d92bfb3/1565794043606-FK1PV2DOU30VI46WWL09/justice-rising-ECHO-AND-EARL-3.jpg Blog - Blog Post One https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/home daily 1.0 2026-01-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1595203102135-R2TQ2F4RI8POK4IBVLB7/Tom+Busch.jpg Home - About Me I studied and learned to be a life and executive coach because I love to help people. I've made lots of mistakes and learned a tremendous amount from my numerous failures both at home and in business. Still, I believe I was created to help people though non-judgmental and honest relationships that are bound by understanding and respect. I left the comfort and income of Trophy Awards Mfg., Inc. where I worked and led for 34 years. Why? Because I feel that targeting income alone is no guarantee for success. So, I left my company in order to do what I love to do…helping you become the best version of yourself and to help you experience a life full of joy and connection. In truth, executive coaching positively impacted almost every area of my life. My life is better because of coaching, and I firmly believe that I can impact you in the same way if you have a heart to lean into the discomfort and to apply new thinking into your heart and mind. Trophy Awards President, 19 years Grew Trophy Awards profits by four times from 2001 – 2013 Trophy Awards: “Best Place to Work Award”, 2019 Goering Center Led a team of 40 employees Transitioned Trophy Awards culture from toxic to “best place to work” Certified Purpose Promise Guide Life & Career Coach Certification - Life Purpose Institute Proven track record of successful coaching outcomes for clients Lifelong learner 25 years of marriage Aligned with purpose https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1595204264100-TCLASB7AED4L446Z1KUK/Culture+Coaching+-+Tom+Busch.jpg Home - Culture Coaching Promoting an emotionally safe environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to reach their full potential. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1595204590209-JZCITK28PTL53LY7EQHN/Executive+Coaching+-+Tom+Busch.jpg Home - Executive Coaching Preparing executives for business growth, expansion, and delivery of exceptional products and services. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1595204950451-LEJYNVB9BH2R861MYHQ0/Leadership+Coaching+-+Tom+Busch.jpg Home - Leadership Coaching Training people to steward their influence in order to be the trusted leaders others will freely choose to follow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1595205343235-HZS1K7HJ2XROYFF4ZVAM/Relationship+Coaching+-+Tom+Busch.jpg Home - Relationship Coaching Fostering empathy and compassion through understanding and self-awareness to overcome division and advance unity. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1595206042592-JF6VFYJREDOVDVHORZL1/Life+Coaching+-+Tom+Busch.jpg Home - Life Coaching Helping people achieve their vision of success in the most efficient manner possible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1595205870430-I1LB9A0SUKI31WBGBYR1/Career+Coaching+-+Tom+Busch.jpg Home - Career Coaching Aligning my clients’ understanding of their passions, talents, and skills to meaningful employment. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/6-dimensions-of-health daily 0.75 2021-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1594779423709-CJ7JF21COU2J46JFXWNB/Tom_Busch_Life_Wheel-01.png 6 Dimensions Of Health - FULLNESS IS HAVING A STRONG AND BALANCED WHEEL The life wheel is one of the tools I use to help people decide how they want to prioritize their success and growth. It works by filling in the wheel to your self-assessed number in each category of health. After we narrow down some specific areas of growth, I journey with my clients carrying a balance of grace and truth, empathy and understanding, encouragement and challenge… always with a non-judgmental confidentiality sharing the wisdom I’ve learned from my many failures and studies. Success is helping people thrive in every dimension of life. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/about-tom-busch daily 0.75 2021-01-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1596305212667-4FO1UOZ6XZ0F5CG84I4V/1036043_104197464_XLarge.jpg About Tom Busch - About Me I've spent the past 34 years of my life working primarily in the world of small family business. I worked 15 years for my mom and dad as an employee of Trophy Awards Mfg., Inc., and then I spent 19 as company president until February of 2020. Why the change? Why leave the family business? The answer is that I fell in love with coaching and helping people develop as authentic leaders while living a meaningful and significant life. I had success as company president. There were areas where we excelled as company. I was instrumental in helping the company grow sales revenues by 4X from 2001 to 2014. We grew our footprint from a company that was primarily a Greater Cincinnati company to a business that attracted buyers from all across the country. We grew our team from 15 staff members to about 40! We were very blessed and had a lot of things fall into place for us. Unfortunately, there were also a lot of areas where I failed as a leader and business partner. In fact, by the fall 2013, I was not on speaking terms with my business partner…I felt very resentful, bitter, and angry. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/contact-us daily 0.75 2021-01-01 https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/book-an-appointment daily 0.75 2023-08-21 https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/testimonials-tom-busch daily 0.75 2021-01-01 https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/why-hire-me daily 0.75 2020-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1598920436081-YXP3CQ54HMWON87B6BQ2/2F8A8360.jpg Why Hire Me? - Why Hire Me? I studied and learned to be a life and executive coach because I love to help people. I've made lots of mistakes and learned a tremendous amount from my numerous failures both at home and in business. Still, I believe I was created to help people though non-judgmental and honest relationships that are bound by understanding and respect. I left the comfort and income of company where I worked for 34 years. Why? Because I feel that targeting income alone is no guarantee for success. So, I left the income, comfort, and routine in order to do what I love to do…helping people become the best version of themselves and to help them live a life full of joy and connection. In truth, executive coaching positively impacted almost every area of my life. My life is better because of coaching, and I firmly believe that I can impact other people in the same way if they have a heart to lean into the discomfort and to apply new thinking in their hearts and minds. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/pricing daily 0.75 2021-01-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1607285328899-KF5MBR4OV6MO1MIAIK0C/pexels-canva-studio-3153201.jpg Pricing - $2500.00 Prominence This Plan covers everything from Plan A and B, plus it includes framing and navigating through conflict, living in greater vulnerability, the heart of true leadership, understanding forgiveness, etc. Includes 26 1-hour sessions and up to 4 hours support by phone, email, or text https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1607285374011-5765HIZ8F6IHWVCJU139/pexels-cottonbro-4255484.jpg Pricing - $400.00 Elevation This plan will help you better understand yourself - embrace responsibility - target success - clarify the destructive stories - and build trust with others. Price includes free introductory meeting, 4 1-hour meetings for personal coaching, individualized instruction, plus up to 30 minutes support by phone, email, or text. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1607285348435-231YG0WN5YF3SSMGVBXY/pexels-elly-fairytale-3807571.jpg Pricing - $785.00 Advancement This plan covers everything from Plan A and also includes how to eliminate fear from our thinking, improving the impact we have on others, understanding others first, and learning to show empathy and respect. Includes 8 1-hour meetings and up to 1 hour of support by phone, email, or text. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/core-values daily 0.75 2020-12-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1603156105926-TVZ2RHZPC6TNG1UNRU96/pexels-pixabay-355948.jpg Core Values - Pursue Learning Consistently seek life improving insights. I feel like the avenues for information flow wider and smoother than any other time of my life….and probably any other time in history. I believe there is a better version of each us…a better version of me. But, how do we empower our better selves to come to fruition? Well, I think it starts with learning. To be honest, I'd have to admit that I spent a good part of my adult life as a very mediocre learner - probably the better part of two decades from age 25 to 44 were spent in what I would describe as exhibiting a fixed mindset instead of a growth mindset. It's not like I didn't learn anything….but my growth rate was slow at best. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1606779586927-V8L3L9NP8WVMR1M1UAVK/pexels-isaw-company-1124079.jpg Core Values - Fail Forward and Often Embrace the opportunities our poor choices provide. We are only truly responsible for four things in our lives. We are able to respond (responsible) for what we think, what we feel, what we say, and what we do. We are not responsible for what other people do, just ourselves. The reality is that all of us fail to fulfill these four easy sounding things rather often. I believe how we respond to these failures will either empower us to become better versions of ourselves or stagnate us in the same old limiting ruts and patterns. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604627425522-IHEIEWJIUHC8ES0MX17Q/pexels-michael-herren-5423797.jpg Core Values - Be Transformed Cross examine and renovate our belief systems. Beliefs are the strongest, most powerful things that we own and manage. You see, our beliefs drive all of our actions and everything within our circle of responsibility - what we think, what we feel, what we say, and what we do. We will always (not a word I use often) live-out of our beliefs….they cannot be separated. Even when I do something I know is morally wrong in my mind, I will have a subtle justification in my beliefs about how it right in this moment. I believe this pattern of thinking is why so many evils are committed in this world while the perpetrators generally do "what was right in their own eyes" based on their skewed belief systems. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604628624586-OXUFVG5Y9673U1T88DJJ/pexels-elviss-railijs-bit%C4%81ns-1527828.jpg Core Values - Embrace Humility Seeing ourselves and others in the correct estimation. Sometimes it can be easier to understand complex things by dissecting them into smaller parts. Whether it's a frog or a philosophy, it can bring clarity to focus on smaller parts. I've been taught to look at human worthiness and esteem by examining two separate values: intrinsic value and market value. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604627816489-Z2NE8AVBVF9GXNSXZW5K/pexels-pixabay-414012.jpg Core Values - Be Healthy Pursue growth in all areas of life When most people hear this Core Value, there is a tendency to think about physical health. You know, exercise regularly and eat vegetables every day! Well, that sounds like good logic, but I'd like to take a look at some of the other areas of health beyond just physical health. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604627759308-6IHNMP5DPSIFDK3XFVYT/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3755440.jpg Core Values - Build-up Others Leverage our responsibilities to bless others. My hope and aspiration is that more and more people will experience a life of love, connection, and joy. I believe this Core Value greatly furthers the probability of this being true! If we concentrate our efforts on Building-up Others, I believe we will love others better and more freely - and if we love better, I believe we will experience a life that thrives. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604628019015-B7EHACMOE8VM4CBLI150/pexels-canva-studio-3153207.jpg Core Values - Co-Labor Live in authentic community There is something alluring about independence…the whole notion of not needing anyone, like John Wayne riding off into the sunset after taking down all the bad guys in an entire town. I think a lot of people are drawn to this idea, and many people are afraid to ask for help when they have real need because this philosophy has infiltrated our thinking. Unfortunately, independence is an illusion and in many cases it is a lie that keeps us from living fulfilled. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1606779664073-04LESCDQSTS3EAN17YX5/pexels-askar-abayev-5638701.jpg Core Values - Live Generously Experience the thrill of creatively giving. I like to ask people if they've ever had the opportunity to do something with great generosity for someone else. Usually with a bright face and emanating smile, they share a story of how they really impacted or surprised someone else through an act of generosity. As they conclude their story, I ask them how they felt after their generous act. Their words are inspirational to me! It is amazing to hear the words they use like: joyful, happy, delighted, euphoric, and significant. I like to ask if they could share a story when they felt the same level of joy when receiving a gift. Most people cannot. So, I don't believe it is a cliché to say that "it is better to give than receive." I believe it is a truth….that moments of pure joy and satisfaction come from Living Generously. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604628488575-4UCUHP1CBI9VK3ZFAD8G/pexels-tyler-lastovich-808465.jpg Core Values - Choose Joy Decide for yourself the life you want to live. I have a friend who says "you'll have enough evidence every day to prove that it was either a great or a horrible day." I believe a life of joy and fulfillment comes from what we choose to give our attention and how we choose to interpret the things happening in and around our us. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604628419912-SI6Y0Y2NJYRBQI5KFESS/pexels-pixabay-355863.jpg Core Values - Kill It Go beyond expectations Memory is linked to times of strong emotions. I might not remember the time of day or even the date, but I specifically remember the day I qualified to run the Boston Marathon. I was in Dearborn Michigan to run a marathon with my brother and my good friend. I had run several marathons hoping for a qualifying time, but there were marathons when I wasn't even close, marathons where I succeeded only to learn that qualifying times had changed, and then the single race where I succeeded. I still have lucid memories of that day. Think of times in your past where you have clear memories. For example, think of your first kiss. My guess is that you remember details of that day because it is linked with strong emotions. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/embrace-humility daily 0.75 2020-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604629029147-XDICCGH3H7UZGYU8VPD0/pexels-elviss-railijs-bit%C4%81ns-1527828.jpg Embrace Humility - Embrace Humility Seeing ourselves and others in the correct estimation. Sometimes it can be easier to understand complex things by dissecting them into smaller parts. Whether it's a frog or a philosophy, it can bring clarity to focus on smaller parts. I've been taught to look at human worthiness and esteem by examining two separate values: intrinsic value and market value. I remember the day my coach, Chris, introduced the idea of dissecting my worthiness. He asked me if I had considered how I have intrinsic value and I have market value. I had not, so we started talking about what attributes derive my intrinsic value as a human, and what gives me market value as a person. It has been an ongoing and very valuable exercise for how I see myself and others. Let's break it down! Intrinsic value - the value that is inherent in my being alive on the earth, the immeasurably small percentage chance that I was actually conceived, the DNA that is unique to me alone, the passions that were born into my heart, the talents that are uniquely mine, my consciousness to engage with the world, and how these unique qualities empower me to impact the world like no one else can! I am here for purpose. We also talked about my personal faith journey and my beliefs about God and a Jewish rabbi named Jesus which I believe anchor my intrinsic value. Market value - these are the values that enable me to generate revenue or give me some sort of impressive value to others. A brain surgeon probably has a higher market value than a fig picker. An NFL quarterback probably has a higher market value than a Pee Wee football coaches. It sounds cold, but if we imagine everyone living with a dollar sign hovering over our heads, it can clarify our market value, or what people are willing to pay for our expertise, experience, education, talents, etc. Notice that our intrinsic value never changes…it is always the same no matter what we do. I still have my talents, my passions, my gifts, and my purpose regardless of my decisions. Notice how our market value can fluctuate like the stock market. We can make some good decisions, get more education, build more expertise, and increase my market value. We can also make some poor decisions, get lazy, treat our co-workers poorly and decrease our market value. In fact, our market value sees constant fluctuations whether our direct income changes or not. I believe we should ask ourselves, what should be the foundation of our worthiness? What should be the root of our identity…our intrinsic value or our market value? I believe we begin to see ourselves accurately when we base our self-worth on our intrinsic value and reframe society's assessment of our market value. This brings us to 50% of the Embrace Humility definition: seeing ourselves in the correct estimation by looking at our incredible intrinsic value and reframing our market value. The other 50% is about seeing others in the correct estimation. If it is true that we have a sky high intrinsic value that was given to us and not earned, what does that say about our neighbors, or people of different color, or people with different political viewpoint, or income levels? Are they just as worthy of love and belonging we are? I believe YES! Humility enables me to first get an accurate picture of myself: I am alive, I am a human being, I am created for purpose, I am image bearer, and I am uniquely wired to impact others - and most importantly, this value never changes. As I lean into this intrinsic identity for myself, I can begin seeing others in the same light and love them according to their equal and amazing value. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/kill-it daily 0.75 2020-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604629370438-D1E4B6QR1VWVNC6LSQ73/pexels-pixabay-355863.jpg Kill It - Kill It Go beyond expectations Memory is linked to times of strong emotions. I might not remember the time of day or even the date, but I specifically remember the day I qualified to run the Boston Marathon. I was in Dearborn Michigan to run a marathon with my brother and my good friend. I had run several marathons hoping for a qualifying time, but there were marathons when I wasn't even close, marathons where I succeeded only to learn that qualifying times had changed, and then the single race where I succeeded. I still have lucid memories of that day. Think of times in your past where you have clear memories. For example, think of your first kiss. My guess is that you remember details of that day because it is linked with strong emotions. As consumers, we have certain expectations for the things we buy. In my mind, I have an expectation if I go to Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse and a totally different expectation if I go to McDonalds. If either vendor falls beneath my expectations or above my expectations, it will probably create a memory that stays with me. As family members, employees, and leaders, people have expectations for what it is like to experience life with you. If you want to create lasting and fond memories with others, go beyond expectations - go and Kill It! If you mother expects a card for Mother's Day, make her a card and give her flowers. If your boss expects you to finish your reports by Friday, finish them by Thursday. If your wife expects you to wash the dishes, clean them and sweep the floor. The memories we plant in others and their capacity to share the goodwill with others will amplify your work. I love coaching! My goal in coaching is to exceed my customers' expectations and get them firmly moving on a journey towards freedom, wholeness, and unity. Regardless of the expectation, my goal is to go beyond that mark in order to help my clients overcome their fears and live to the fullness of their potential. We battle against complacency, comfort, pride, and division so that my clients grow and become the winners and heroes that dramatically improve the lives of others. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/be-transformed daily 0.75 2020-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604628835768-LXGSPVQKEOOU3L38ET93/pexels-michael-herren-5423797.jpg Be Transformed - Be Transformed Cross examine and renovate our belief systems. Beliefs are the strongest, most powerful things that we own and manage. You see, our beliefs drive all of our actions and everything within our circle of responsibility - what we think, what we feel, what we say, and what we do. We will always (not a word I use often) live-out of our beliefs….they cannot be separated. Even when I do something I know is morally wrong in my mind, I will have a subtle justification in my beliefs about how it right in this moment. I believe this pattern of thinking is why so many evils are committed in this world while the perpetrators generally do "what was right in their own eyes" based on their skewed belief systems. So, in order to fully change the way we live, in order to live a life of greater joy and connection, we have to explore and understand our personal beliefs. We have thousands and thousands of beliefs, and many of them hang-out in the napping sections of our brains - our subconscious. I believe as we shine light on the napping beliefs, we can wake them up and really test whether they are true beliefs or limiting beliefs. I believe engaging in a life with sustainable change will empower us to a life of fulfillment. Yet, this is not about "trying harder" and being "more motivated". It is about thinking differently and understanding our driving belief systems. I believe our best selves are revealed as we embrace a life where we allow our beliefs to be transformed, refined, and renewed. There is a verse in the bible that invites us to "be transformed by the renewing of the mind", and I want that for myself and everyone I love so that we can live-out and experience an abundant life of purpose. This Core Value definitely has a strong relationship with Pursue Learning. The distinction I like to make is Pursue Learning is about being willing to take-in new information with an open heart and mind, while Be Transformed is about leveraging that inflow to reconstruct our beliefs systems - and, thus, live free and joyful lives. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/live-generously daily 0.75 2020-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604629313299-CVZD3F314LRHY4EO0LZR/pexels-august-de-richelieu-4259707.jpg Live Generously - Live Generously Experience the thrill of creatively giving. I like to ask people if they've ever had the opportunity to do something with great generosity for someone else. Usually with a bright face and emanating smile, they share a story of how they really impacted or surprised someone else through an act of generosity. As they conclude their story, I ask them how they felt after their generous act. Their words are inspirational to me! It is amazing to hear the words they use like: joyful, happy, delighted, euphoric, and significant. I like to ask if they could share a story when they felt the same level of joy when receiving a gift. Most people cannot. So, I don't believe it is a cliché to say that "it is better to give than receive." I believe it is a truth….that moments of pure joy and satisfaction come from Living Generously. Living Generously is far more than sharing financial health. I believe some of the best acts of generosity have almost nothing to do with money. We can notice areas where we have strength and then leverage those areas to share with others. For instance, you can share your intellectual health with others to help them succeed, you can share your relational health to connect people together, you can share your spiritual health to help people live a life of greater love and purpose. Giving financially is great, and there are many healthy attributes from giving that way. However, it is important to recognize many people do not have capacity to give financially, but have other areas where they can give and experience the joy of giving. Here's another way to look at it. I am a big fan of Gary Chapman's book, "The Five Love Languages." It is a simple but powerful book that empowers people to express love to others more poignantly. The five languages are: words of affirmation, giving gifts, quality time, acts of service, and physical touch. There are several ways to Live Generously by expressing love to others. There is almost no expense to sitting down and writing an old-fashioned letter to someone who has impacted your life. There are a lot of ways to spend quality time with others with little to no expense. Still, these types of actions are ways to Live Generously. So, I share this to inspire some creativity and to break the narrow view that generosity has to do with giving money. My experience is that times of great elation and overflowing joy flow from times when people intentionally and creatively "Live Generously". So, I believe when this value is fully embraced that people will live a greater life of meaning and joy. I want that for my clients and myself. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/choose-joy daily 0.75 2020-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604629432823-X1830YFNM0M1PF6GXEF2/pexels-tyler-lastovich-808465.jpg Choose Joy - Choose Joy Decide for yourself the life you want to live. I have a friend who says "you'll have enough evidence every day to prove that it was either a great or a horrible day." I believe a life of joy and fulfillment comes from what we choose to give our attention and how we choose to interpret the things happening in and around our us. It can be very trying at times to believe that good things come from pain, yet I try to look at life circumstances and to realistically consider how these events can positively shape my life. No, I don't like grief - I don't like loss - I don't like hardship - or the acts of mean people….and yet, when I believe that all of these things have the potential to transform me to a better person and to empower me to see life with more clarity and expand my outlook on things. I don't want people to cover their ears and sing "happy, happy, joy, joy!" but I do want people to feel their feelings and make a conscious decision on how they want to move forwards in light of the people they really want to be. I know it's not a popular idea, but I strongly believe that we can choose how we respond to adverse circumstances and abrasive people. We can feel sorry for ourselves, we can identify ourselves as innocent victims, or we can willingly give away our negative feelings, embrace the tough circumstances, and reframe them as a season for refinement. As we practice gratitude, embrace forgiveness, and trust in learning, we are invariably choosing a life of joy. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/pursue-learning daily 0.75 2020-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1603420813366-J42F0HYJEV6IONRELTX7/pexels-pixabay-355948.jpg Pursue Learning - Pursue Learning Consistently seek life improving insights. I feel like the avenues for information flow wider and smoother than any other time of my life….and probably any other time in history. I believe there is a better version of each us…a better version of me. But, how do we empower our better selves to come to fruition? Well, I think it starts with learning. To be honest, I'd have to admit that I spent a good part of my adult life as a very mediocre learner - probably the better part of two decades from age 25 to 44 were spent in what I would describe as exhibiting a fixed mindset instead of a growth mindset. It's not like I didn't learn anything….but my growth rate was slow at best. Now, I believe that life is too precious to live in a fixed mindset. Every moment when we ignore instruction, insight, and wisdom is a delay in experiencing a life of fulfillment, joy, and engagement. But, it is so easy to numb, relax, and shut off our brains….from binge watching Netflix, to over indulging in cheesecake or Cheetos. Yet, this form of disengagement is like surrendering to an evil enemy…it cripples and steals our freedom….and definitely prevents us from becoming our best versions of ourselves. I invite you….will you join us in the land of the free? There are so many learning options available to us today…fantastic books, articles, videos, blogs, podcasts, and documentaries that can help provide the insights we really need for growth and improvement. Will you allow learning and growth to help uncover the better version of you? I believe this process is like removing dirt and rocks from a dinosaur skeleton buried in the ground….some of the work requires heavy lifting and other parts require tedious brush strokes. Either way, it takes intentional work and effort. It is a choice, a decision we must make each day: to seek life transforming insights or chase mind numbing comforts. A life of abundance hangs in the balance. “Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone.” -Billy Cox https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/be-healthy daily 0.75 2020-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604629147567-2ZRPLS2PLVCU33N2AFKT/pexels-pixabay-414012.jpg Be Healthy - Be Healthy Pursue growth in all areas of life When most people hear this Core Value, there is a tendency to think about physical health. You know, exercise regularly and eat vegetables every day! Well, that sounds like good logic, but I'd like to take a look at some of the other areas of health beyond just physical health. I like break down health into six categories because sometimes it is easier to see room for growth as we separate health into smaller parts. I believe a life of joy and significance is found as advancement is made in each of the following categories. This is what I would call holistic health. 1- Spiritual Health Understanding your intrinsic value, your gifted purpose, and your connection with the rest of humanity. 2- Emotional Health Transforming your ruling beliefs, internal stories, and thought patterns so that you can positively impact the world. 3- Relational Health Having authentic and vulnerable relationships characterized with love, understanding, and belonging. 4- Physical Health Being able to rest, work, and play, pain free and with ample strength and mobility. 5- Intellectual Health Gaining valuable ideas, expertise, and insights that propel your market value. 6- Financial Health Creating and building monetary resources and assets that are a blessing to yourself and others. My goal as a coach is to help each person grow in each of these areas of health. No…significant growth usually does not happen overnight; it definitely takes work and discipline extended over time. Yet, as my clients advance, it is amazing to see the new trajectories their lives take. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/build-up-others daily 0.75 2020-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604629095874-0YQ81J5POHQXDA5UH606/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3755440.jpg Build-up Others - Build-up Others leverage our responsibilities to bless others. My hope and aspiration is that more and more people will experience a life of love, connection, and joy. I believe this Core Value greatly furthers the probability of this being true! If we concentrate our efforts on Building-up Others, I believe we will love others better and more freely - and if we love better, I believe we will experience a life that thrives. In the Core Value description of Fail Forwards, I mention that we are only responsible for four things in life. The things we think, the things we feel, the things we say, and the things we do. We are able to respond (responsible) for these four things alone. Therefore, we should strive with all our hearts and minds to Build-up Others in the way we think. I believe this looks like taking a close inventory on the thoughts that cross our minds, and then recognize the nasty little voices that want me to label that person or dismiss them. You see, I believe our thoughts are very powerful, and if I'm thinking judgmental or negative on others, it will show up in other areas of my life….and my guess is that it won't be pretty. I believe we can Build-up Others in how we feel as well. I'm not talking about not feeling the pain of being smacked in the face, I'm talking about taking responsibility for the emotions that flood my mind towards others. Again, if we are feeling disrespected or dismissed by someone, we can take proactive steps to remedy those emotions. We can vulnerably seek clarity, we can express our feelings, and we can try to see things from their perspective. Ultimately, it is a choice or decision to feel resentment, bitterness, and rage because we can also choose empathy, concern, and grace. Isn't it strange how another's words can shape your day…and in some cases shape your life. If you've had an influential parent, teacher, coach, or boss speak positively in your life, you may be a living testimony to the power of affirming words. Unfortunately, many influential people speak negative words into our lives. These words also have the power to shape our lives with layers of insecurities, limiting beliefs, and scars. Building-up Others and taking responsibility for the words we say mean that we intentionally take an inventory of the words we say and leverage our words to bless, inspire, encourage, affirm, thank, and express love to others. In all we do, we should seek to Build-up Others by the way respond and act towards people. If we're looking to knock someone down or even have a neutral impact, we will fail to Build-up Others and actually hinder ourselves from the lives we really want. I believe if we really want to see the world become a better place, it starts with us - it starts by recognizing the power of love and then choosing to build up others in all that we think, feel, say and do! If we wait to engage in the world until it becomes a more gentle place, we will probably waste our lives because making the world a better place begins by addressing the selfishness in ourselves and then choosing to Build-up Others. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. -Paul https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/colabor daily 0.75 2020-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1604629257049-NXW04ARTE6WF9QXJF5MW/pexels-canva-studio-3153207.jpg Co-Labor - Co-Labor Live in authentic community There is something alluring about independence…the whole notion of not needing anyone, like John Wayne riding off into the sunset after taking down all the bad guys in an entire town. I think a lot of people are drawn to this idea, and many people are afraid to ask for help when they have real need because this philosophy has infiltrated our thinking. Unfortunately, independence is an illusion and in many cases it is a lie that keeps us from living fulfilled. The life of connection, joy, and meaning, as our best selves, must be driven from the power of community. We cannot thrive insolation, but only in community where there is vulnerability to ask for help, insight, and feedback….the type of community where we can be real and confess the ways we are failing….the type of community where we are known and understood for our true selves, with all of our beauty and all our shortcomings. One of the most powerful horses in the world is the Belgian Draft Horse. In competitions, a single draft horse can pull 8,000 pounds. Here's the cool part. If you harness two of these random horses together you would probably guess they can pull 16,000 pounds….but here's the thing - they can pull 20,000 to 24,000 pounds together. Now, if you raise and train these horse together they can pull 30,000 to 32,000 pounds because they learn to work and think as one. Look at the math! Two united horses have the capacity to pull 4 times more than one horse. These horses are not siloed but working together. I think we humans are a lot like Belgium Draft horses. As the old proverb says: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. While it goes against the cool guys we see in movies, I believe the pathway to a life of growth and fulfillment is only found as we pass through the gates of vulnerability, embrace community, and Co-Labor. https://www.tombuschcoaching.com/fail-forward-and-often daily 0.75 2020-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e7aadde0ccef5071eeed324/1603420775720-OTCTHN34K07O5W9J8Z3P/pexels-eric-sanman-1365425.jpg Fail Forward and Often - Fail Forward and Often Embrace the opportunities our poor choices provide. We are only truly responsible for four things in our lives. We are able to respond (responsible) for what we think, what we feel, what we say, and what we do. We are not responsible for what other people do, just ourselves. The reality is that all of us fail to fulfill these four easy sounding things rather often. I believe how we respond to these failures will either empower us to become better versions of ourselves or stagnate us in the same old limiting ruts and patterns. I believe most people respond to failure in one of three ways. Many people recognize areas of failure and respond by heaping shame upon themselves thinking they are just a terrible person…unworthy of love and belonging. Other people choose to blame others and take a defensive and prideful posture, justifying our wrongs as the result of others' failures. The problem is that neither of these two responses helps us to live and experience better lives. Rather, I believe these two common responses usher us into places of bondage, division, and hopelessness. There is another option! We have the freedom to embrace our failures, own our mistakes, recognize the way we hurt others, and choose to allow these failures to refine and catapult us to new places of awakening and refinement. We can learn from our failures and allow them to drive us to new directions and a more enhanced version of ourselves. I think it is also important to look at all of the ways we fail. How many times today will I fail in what I am thinking? How many times will I fail to choose gratitude over grumpiness? It is fairly easy to recognize the huge catastrophic failures in life, but it requires more effort and reflection to see the subtle and quiet forms of failure happening so frequently each day. The more I embrace the reality that I fail often, the more learning opportunities I can leverage to improve my life each day. This is the heart of what it means to Fail Forwards and Often. "Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It's quite simple, really: Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, so go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that's where you will find success." -- Thomas J. Watson