Summary

Doug Hensch is an ICF credentialed coach who brings a wealth of experience and passion to the work he does for his clients. His philosophy is simple: Set meaningful goals. Identify your strengths. Work in them regularly.

Discover Your Why – Free Coaching Call Valued at $250

This philosophy guided him at Nextel Communications where he led the company’s eCare efforts that resulted in yearly savings that exceeded $10 million. Working in his strengths with purpose helped him launch a leading self-improvement web site that helped over 100,000 people increase their well-being and resilience.

Doug has touched many lives with innovative coaching, engaging workshops, and thought-provoking consulting. Dr. Martin Seligman who is considered as the ‘father of Positive Psychology,’ referred to Doug as one of his “most talented young colleagues.” A father of two active little boys, Doug lives in the Washington, DC.

In this chat we discuss Doug’s book “Positively Resilient” and some of the secrets to creating more resilience in life. We also discuss Doug’s signature strengths including: Gratitude, Judgment, Modesty/Humility, Fairness/Equity/Justice, and Capacity to Love & be Loved. Enjoy!

Key Take Outs

• Helping others. It is often the case that we can find more meaning and purpose in helping others. This has been scientifically proven in a number of studies. If you are looking for a raised level of significance, happiness or wanting more meaning in life find a way that you can add value. No matter how small or large.
• Accountability. Sometimes all we need to push forward is a little bit of accountability. If you struggle to hold yourself accountable find a coach, friend or colleague that can help you. Support takes us from being good to great in adopting the behaviours that are essential in discovering our why.
• A balanced approach. Have the idea in mind of the alternative. Perhaps there is always an ‘and’ to everything in life. For example, by looking at the alternative directions you could take what are the positives and negatives that could eventuate.
• Optimism vs. pessimism. To be positive or negative? A balanced approach can often help us see the obstacles that we may face. It may be better to lean towards the optimistic side of things, knowing realistic outcomes will assist you to manage the challenges you may face along the way but do not let them stop you entirely form taking action.
• Leverage your strengths.  Work to leverage your strengths in life. We all have natural strengths and skills that are often highlighted by what we are interested in. Work on these and become the expert within each of them, they will help you perform better in life.
• Secrets of resilience. FOCUS. Flexibility, Optimism, Curiosity, Uplifting, & Support. Find more about these in Doug’s book, Positively Resilient.

Do you have any routines and rituals that you believe contribute to your success?

Having a practice of gratitude and mindfulness.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

I would give myself a manual on mindfulness.

Doug’s interpretation of success

The I lived a life true to my strengths and that I was helping as many as people as possible in meaningful ways.

What is your number one productivity advice?

To check things off. Tracking those behaviours that create powerful habits.

What advice would you give someone that needing/wanting to make change?

Consult, consult, consult. Find trusted & objective friends and experts that can assist you and try to understand what you really want.

Quick round questions

Favourite Food

Cooking anything on his cast iron skillet

Favourite Leisure Activitiy

Reading

Favourite book(s)

The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckart Tolle

Positively Resilient by Doug Hensch

Quote

“There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” William Shakespeare

Do we all have a why?

Yes! I think it is easy for some to find and difficult for others. In some part we are born with it and in some part it is created.

What does living life with passion and purpose mean?

Doing what I love everyday and paying it forward.

How to find Doug 

You can find our more about Doug and what he does by visiting his website here.

Doug is also on linkedin and email should you wish to connect.

If you are interested in finding more freedom, fulfilment and happiness in your life take the opportunity to jump on the Discovery Call. Valued at $250, this is a one on one coaching session to help you define your hidden why and discover the action steps to getting your there.