As a business leader, as a development coach, as a father, as a friend, here’s a problem I run into every day – most people’s problems are rooted in living too small of a life.
For Myself. . .
I know I’m living too small a life when. . .
- I let issues distract me from gratitude and commitment to doing something special in my life today, this moment, now.
- When I let self-centered obsessions live rent free in my soul, my head and my heart.
- When I’m self-centered, self-focused, and spewing self-indulgent feelings in an attempt to share my misery.
I know I’m living a bigger life when. . .
- I act on my values and stand up for what I believe in.
- I take responsibility for getting my needs met, expressing myself honestly, and acting on my values instead of complaining and whining.
- I risk honesty, generosity of spirit and authenticity in relationships.
- I make amends to someone I’ve harmed or forgive someone who has harmed me.
- I dig deep into my values and finding a meaningful declaration to live and die by.
One of My Clients. . .
One of my leadership development clients was complaining to me about a supervisor – “I’m working for a control freak!” My client was stuck on figuring out how to get her control freak manager to change and stop being so controlling.
I asked my client to focus on changing herself, rather than the supervisor. I asked her to clarify specifically what she wanted in her relationship with her supervisor. “What kind of a relationship do you want? Are you willing to declare it?" Never mind getting him to change. What are you willing to change?
There will always be people, places and things blocking the path to what we want and need. But when we focus on ourselves, declare a vision (with integrity) of what we want, and change the way we behave, within weeks we see new opportunities and openings appear. Startling, but true.
Your Challenge. . .
In what way(s) am I living too small a life?
