If you’re looking for a bit of optimism, hope or encouragement, you’ve come to the right place. The Better Life Coaching Blog is written to inspire and motivate us all to greater heights.
My name is Darren Poke, and I’m a husband and father of three from Melbourne, Australia who is passionate about helping you to maximise your potential.
This blog is focused on personal development, leadership, motivating others and careers and I hope that you enjoy this collection of inspiring stories, quotes and anecdotes.
The aim of this blog is to inspire, encourage and equip you on your journey. With over 2,000 posts and counting, I trust that there’s something here that gives you reason for optimism and gets you thinking.
If you’re looking for somewhere to get started, here’s the link to the most popular posts on this blog from 2017.
If you like what you have read so far, feel free to have a look through the 2010, 2011 , 2012 , 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 archives of older posts. You are also welcome to joining thousands of others in subscribing (it’s free!) so that you can be notified of new posts.
In addition, feel free to follow me on Twitter, connect through LinkedIn or like the Official Better Life Coaching Blog Page on Facebook to help spread the news.
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53 comments
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July 10, 2010 at 1:08 am
Linda
Hi Darren,
I just poped over after reading Ken’s post about dogs and what they teach us.
I’m pleased to have found you as, like Ken, we take the same positive attitude to life.
You might like to drop in and have a look at my writing too.
I’m very happy to subscribe and look forward to reading more.
Warm wishes,
Linda
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July 13, 2010 at 11:44 am
Darren Poke
Thanks for visiting Linda. I appreciate your encouraging comment as well.
I’ll be sure to visit your site as well.
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November 25, 2010 at 4:50 am
engelli
Great write up, bookmarked the blog for interest to read more thank ypou
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November 25, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks, I hope that you enjoy what you read.
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December 14, 2010 at 6:52 am
C.T.
Darren,
Thanks for making an investment in the lives of others by taking time to share your thoughts and inspirations. Although I am not a blogger, I have made your blog my home page. I stumbled upon your blog while researching a sermon. God bless!
CT
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December 14, 2010 at 7:44 am
Darren Poke
Thanks very much CT. Reading comments like yours inspires me to do even better. I trust that the sermon goes well.
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December 29, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Brian Dodd on Leadership
Darren,
Recently you commented on my post 8 Tips To Surviving Your Dysfunctional Family During The Holidays. I just wanted to check back and see how your holidays went. Also, I love your site and the positive attitude on it!
Brian
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January 1, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Brian, I appreciate your visit and comment. I really like your site as well.
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December 5, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Jeriea Smith
To live a successful life, you must take steps towards you ultimate goals, no matter how small those steps may be. After all, taking action – even a tiny step – is still activity. Thanks Darren.
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December 12, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Jeriea, keep taking those steps.
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December 13, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Linda
Zendictive sent me. And I’m glad he did. Great site!
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December 14, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Linda, I’m glad you like it.
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January 18, 2012 at 10:33 pm
Adriaan from Talentina.com
Coaching is in essence a personal activity. It is about telling your story. That is precisely why learning from someone else is the best way to develop your talent. That is why more than 70% of Fortune 500 companies have a coaching program, according to Forrester. To boost this development, we built the online coaching platform http://www.talentina.com, so soon anyone can have access to a personal coach, within the company, or privately, at home. Come and visit us, we are brand new and you can make all the difference. Go and dream big, and act even bigger.
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January 21, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Adriaan and all the best with your coaching business.
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February 5, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Kris Lawrence Aringo
sir, Darren, I’m Kris Lawrence Aringo from Philippines, I love the story of “A packet of Cookies” I used the concept of it in my short film to be passed on our humanities subject, I just changed the setting and events, instead of airport, I used a cafeteria and two students, and instead of cookies, I used rice cake. I hope it is okay for you, Sir?
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February 6, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Darren Poke
That sounds like a great film Kris, well done. I certainly don’t mind you making the changes to the story. It’s not an original one of mine and I’ve heard a few different versions anyway. Thanks for sharing.
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February 6, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Kris Lawrence Aringo
Oh, that’s a relief, THANK YOU!!! ^_^
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February 22, 2012 at 2:24 am
Amy Bynum
Great words to live by
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February 23, 2012 at 9:44 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Amy
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May 3, 2012 at 1:55 am
The Truth Warrior
Hi! I have nominated you for the versatile blogger award. Go to http://thetruthwarrior.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/the-versatile-blogger-award/ for more…… Well done and keep up the inspiring work!! Namaste. TW
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May 3, 2012 at 4:10 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks very much TW for your kind comments. I really appreciate the nomination.
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May 3, 2012 at 9:47 pm
The Truth Warrior
You are very welcome. Well deserved. Namaste. TW
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May 4, 2012 at 2:21 am
TKSoni
Nice blog 🙂
http://tksoni.wordpress.com
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June 13, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Sandra Mortimer
So one little boy was listening to his mumma and poppa all those years in the front row!
Good stuff Darren. Concise and forward looking. SM
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June 14, 2012 at 8:37 am
Darren Poke
Thanks Sandra, I’m not sure how much I was listening to, but I certainly absorbed a lot when I was young. Thanks for your encouragement and it’s nice to hear from you.
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November 10, 2012 at 6:51 pm
meditation guru
Hello Darren, nice blog. I’m starting to read “The Top 10 Most Popular Posts of 2011” Thank you for sharing valuable information.
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November 10, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks MG, I hope you like them.
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November 30, 2012 at 5:56 am
Beth
Hello,
I’m happy to inform you that Better Life Coaching Blog is included on the list of 100 Great Sites for Coaching, just published on SportsManagementDegree.org. You can view the complete list here: http://sportsmanagementdegree.org/winning-coaches/
Your site was chosen for this list through a rigorous process of research and nomination-seeking. The list is meant to provide our readers, aspiring coaches, sports managers and administrators, with inspiration and information about the great educational and career potential in the sporting industry.
If you would like to publicize this award to your readers, please place the badge we’ve created for you on your page using the code below or you can email me to request the graphic as a file.
Congratulations, and thanks for keeping such a stellar site on coaching and athletics!
If you have any feedback, questions, or just want to chat about coaching, please email me any time.
Cheers,
Beth
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November 30, 2012 at 8:29 am
Darren Poke
Thanks Beth,
I’m honoured to have made your list.
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May 18, 2013 at 1:48 am
Ever Here Now
Words carry so much power to harm or to heal and inspiring words that give us that little boost to push ourselves a little harder and move us along a little further are much appreciated. Thank you.
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August 27, 2013 at 4:08 am
livewhatyouknow
Beautiful work Darren! Thanks for all you have done to inspire us all. Sending you love!
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June 22, 2014 at 5:20 pm
Eric Horn
Hi Darren. I heard something interesting in church today and wondered if you had written on this topic. I had a look and couldn’t be sure so apologies if you’ve already gone over this one. The comment was, “Don’t be afraid of failure. What you should fear is succeeding at things that don’t really matter.” Thought provoking for me.
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November 24, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Rebecca Garrod
Hi Darren, Thanks for all you have shared with us. I am very much glad and gathered lots of inspiration from you.
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November 24, 2014 at 9:03 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Rebecca
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January 22, 2015 at 3:50 am
Dale Brown
Darren, I just read your questions- they were helpful. I wish you well – I agree with you – autopilot is great for planes not so great for people. By the way, why don’t you reverse your comments so the most recent ones are first?
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January 22, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Darren Poke
Hi Dale,
Thanks for your comments. I wish that I could reverse the comments, but I’m not sure that I’m that clever. I’ll look into it.
Cheers,
Darren
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February 22, 2015 at 9:46 am
Pam Fulton
I very much like what I am reading concerning your blog. Would it be possible for you to put me on an email list to receive some of your material.
Blessings, Pam Fulton
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February 22, 2015 at 8:47 pm
Darren Poke
Hi Pam, if you subscribe by putting your details in on the left hand side of this site. Thanks for your comments, I’m glad that you like it here.
Darren
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January 30, 2016 at 3:30 am
Alet Louw
I am finding your blogs very helpfull.
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August 13, 2016 at 8:39 am
Vidyaranya J
Nice..
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December 15, 2016 at 8:49 am
Moses Simuyemba
Dear Darren,
I was giving a talk to a group of youth on purpose and loved your story “panning for gold”. I would like to use it, as is, for my 4th book project called “Destiny on Purpose – How to live on purpose and fulfil your destiny in four simple and doable steps” (www.destinyonpurpose.org). I will also be in touch at a later date with a proposal on how we could collaborate on this project. Please let me know if I can use your story, with full atttribution and a link back, and if you would like to receive the proposal once I have fleshed it out. You can reach me on my email.
Thank you and keep up the great work that is surely impacting many lives.
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December 22, 2016 at 2:59 pm
Darren Poke
Hi Moses, yes you can use this story. Thanks for asking
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December 22, 2016 at 6:08 pm
Moses
Thank Darren.
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August 20, 2017 at 8:42 pm
Surendra Seth
Crisp and motivating – inspiring and enjoyable.
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May 19, 2019 at 10:35 pm
Elena P. Salas
Your articles really motivate readers to view life in optimistic manner
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May 21, 2019 at 10:23 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Elena, I appreciate your kind words
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August 31, 2019 at 1:33 am
Richard Forde
Hi Darren, accidentally found you whilst doing research for my own coaching business. So glad i did, there are so many wise words here I don’t know where to start. So let me start by saying thank you for just being you and for giving the inspiration to keep going. Do you mind if I share some of these words to my clients and or networks, you will always be referenced? Richie
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August 31, 2019 at 7:24 am
Darren Poke
Thanks Richard, yes, feel free to share
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June 11, 2020 at 12:00 am
Brandon Ribak
Hey Darren,
Hope you’re doing well.
My name is Brandon and I just wanted to reach out and say that your blog has made a major impact on my life.
For all that you’ve done for me I thought it was time to introduce myself.
Because of the content that you’ve shared, I was inspired to start my own newsletter and I believe it’s right up your alley and that you’re really going to enjoy it. (After all, it’s the least I can offer considering the value you’ve provided me!).
Philomathy.co sends out a weekly “”Gain Wisdom”” email containing timeless snippets of impactful insights from the most influential books, articles, interviews, tweets and more.
Below is a sample of some recent snippets so you can get a feel for it.
I really hope you’ll consider signing up.
Either way, it’s great to finally connect and I look forward to hearing back from you!
“”You can’t directly control where your thoughts drift. If you’re controlling them, they’re not drifting. But you can control them indirectly, by controlling what situations you let yourself get into. That has been the lesson for me: be careful what you let become critical to you. Try to get yourself into situations where the most urgent problems are ones you want to think about.””
The Top Idea in Your Mind by Paul Graham, article via www.paulgraham.com/top.html
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (4.5 stars on Amazon, 4.2 stars on Goodreads)
“”Before you are old, attend as many funerals as you can bear, and listen. Nobody talks about the departed’s achievements. The only thing people will remember is what kind of person you were while you were achieving.””
68 Bits of Unsolicited Advice by Kevin Kelly, article via kk.org/thetechnium/68-bits-of-unsolicited-advice
“You should be far more concerned with your current trajectory than with your current results.”
Atomic Habits by James Clear (4.8 stars on Amazon, 4.3 stars on Goodreads)
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October 12, 2020 at 9:48 pm
Grace
Hi Darren,
I just stumbled on your blog and I find your writing inspirational. Kindly include my in your mail list for new posts on your blog. Well done
Grace
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October 13, 2020 at 7:47 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Grace
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October 18, 2020 at 2:56 am
Pat Bishop
Are you the author of “A Jealous Parrot – A Story About Being Yourself”. I see you used the story in a blog several years ago and I would like to use same in a Bible Study I am writing.
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October 19, 2020 at 9:38 pm
Darren Poke
Hi Pat, yes, I am the author of this story. Feel free to use it in your Bible Study
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