Power of Wisdom

I would like to begin by questioning the source of wisdom.

Where does it come from?

How do we learn it?

What does it feel like?

Whilst explaining the difference between knowledge and wisdom, Sandra Carey asserts that one should, “never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life’.

For most of my life I was led to believe that knowledge lives in the external world and that it comes from experience. On the other hand, wisdom lives within us. Although it may come from many sources, I believed wisdom to be more of an ‘inner ‘knowing’ that is often difficult to explain or describe.

Throughout history, educational institutions have taught us how to learn, obey, think linearly and eventually pass this ‘knowledge’ on through teaching others. In many ways, it develops us into academics, placing us on a path to become a professor. School provides knowledge. It’s quite simple really.

However, wisdom is what one needs to “make a life” and to be fulfilled.

During the Industrial Revolution, everything was about knowledge. This was when we parted with wisdom and began to establish an educational system based on facts, figures and knowledge. Sometimes it feels like no one uses wisdom anymore.

Coaches coach people to gain an awareness of their wisdom and then show them hot to use it to lead them into a life they LOVE.

On my search to understand knowledge and wisdom I looked up the definition of wisdom and have been now led to believe that wisdom is how we USE knowledge….

Apparently wisdom is “accumulated knowledge”. The definition that resonated the most with me was “enlightenment”.

The claim that wisdom is “the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with common sense and insight” or “the quality of being prudent and sensible” seem far fetched. It can’t be that simple.

Or can it?

What does wisdom mean to you?

How do YOU use it?

Power of the OTHER 'Coach Quinn'

The term "coach" can be heard in many contexts but most often people naturally think of a sports coach. But, why am I bringing up a sports coach when I am a life coach?

Because, they are VERY similar.

Each and every time I explain what I do, a different answer comes out of my mouth depending on my audience. Naturally, I try to say something that the person can relate to.


Most often the following definition is well received:

A life coach is like a sports coach - they motivate you to get the most out of the task at hand. Tiger Woods didn't become the best golfer in the world by sitting at home on a couch thinking about golf. He got out on the course with a COACH and practiced.

Pat Quinn is known to many people as 'Coach Quinn' and I reckon him and I have a lot in common!

Power of the Best getting BETTER

Eric Schmidt, the chairman and CEO of Google recently wrote in FORTUNE magazine about advice that sticks out for him.

He claims that back in 2001 John Door told him, "My advice to you is to have a coach". to which Schmidt responded, "Why would I need a coach? Am I doing something wrong?...How could a coach advise me if I'm the best in the world at this?"

However, after his initial resentment, he realized, "that's not what a coach does. The coach doesn't have to play the sport as well as you do. They have to watch you and get you to be your best. In the business context a coach is not a repetitious coach. A coach is somebody who looks at something with another set of eyes, describes it to you in (his) words, and discusses how to approach the problem".

Schmidt saw himself in a position of power as a CEO but after hiring a coach he was able to recognize that even the best, can be better.

Power of a Continuous Journey

After watching this video I began to wonder about my own definition of success. Have I been driving on a one way street? 5 lane highway? Or, have I been circling on a round about?

Though more importantly....What is your success?

What does success look like to you?

What does success mean to you?

What does your success journey feel like?

I love what Richard St. John says about success. It truly is NOT a one way street...it is a continuous journey.

Do you want to simply reach success?

Or do you want to reach it and MAINTAIN it?

The choice is yours.

Power of ‘One choice’

A few days ago I found out that a girl I had known in high school was killed in a car crash. Twenty-five year old Heather Menear was standing with her friends outside of a bar on a regular Friday night when she fell backwards from the curb, to her death.

As my friend retold the story of what happened that night, she explained the varying reactions from her brother and his friends.

We all react differently to tragedy. There is no right or wrong way to respond to horrifying circumstances. However, I believe that there is just ONE choice.

At the time, the choice doesn’t feel simple or easy. In fact, it feels the exact opposite. Our world comes crashing down on us – or mortality stares in the face – and suddenly we don’t know what to feel.

Whether you have been through this before or not, I know you can imagine what is like. We are all connected.

Many of those who are affected by these type of dreadful situations block out the world. They choose pain.

Two years ago I lost my father to lung cancer. I didn’t choose pain.

I didn’t believe the choice was difficult. My only thought was, “Why would I choose pain?”

I decided the day he left me to live out his legacy. I decided to honour his death by choosing to LIVE.

I had ONE choice.

We all do.


***Whether you knew Heather Menear or not, please take a moment to honour her. She was loved by many and will live on in our hearts forever. ***

Power of Dan Griffin

For 12 summers of my life I lived in Algonquin Park; I went to Camp Arowhon. During my time there I made several very special friends - people I will know for the rest of my life.

They inspired me as we grew up together....and they continue to inspire me.

This blog is a shout out to the infamous Dan Griffin, for his many talents.

His band is called the Arkells - check them out at http://www.myspace.com/arkellsmusic

and enjoy this hilarious video they made!



Here is their music video!

Power of AKOSIA

Several months ago I co-created a non profit organization called AKOSIA. We create and organize summer projects for street children. This summer we are going to Accra, Ghana with a four-week programme that will take 80 children on a creative filmmaking journey. This will involve writing, set-design, costume making, acting and shooting, culminating in a mini film festival for the children and their communities at the end of the summer. We aim to let the children produce the films as independently as possible, providing them with tools and technical skills where necessary. In this way, we hope that the children will get the chance to see themselves in a different light and that this will inspire them be become more confident in their creative abilities and in general. During the four weeks we will also be providing the children with two meals a day and organized afternoon sporting and art activities.

We are going to Accra with a COACH approach - I am bringing several of my coaching 'ways of being' to the table.

#1 - ALL CHILDREN ARE NATURALLY CREATIVE, RESOURCEFUL AND WHOLE

#2 - THEY ARE ALWAYS RIGHT AND HOLD ALL THE ANSWERS TO THEIR QUESTIONS

It is going to be an amazing summer - please check it out - http://www.akosia.org/