Do What Matters

We are entering American Thanksgiving week which also heralds the start of the ‘holiday season’.

It’s that time of year again. That time when we re-evaluate and think about what we want the next year to bring. It’s a time when we reignite charity in our hearts and feel a little more tender, maybe even sentimental.

In light of the recent attacks on Paris and elsewhere in our world, I’d venture to guess we are all just a little more aware of life’s fragility. When we’re sensitive, more aware and even a little raw, we often benefit from heightened clarity. Our focus narrows and what is truly important becomes painfully clear. The superfluous melts away.

What matters?

That’s what begs to be answered, and I offer you this question as the appetizer to your holiday season.

What matters? What is really worth your time and effort and resources? What will ultimately make a difference?

Recently, I participated in a high-level mastermind group. I came in to the three-day event prepared to ask for coaching on a business idea I’d been brewing for a couple of months. I was anticipating a flurry of ideas and a show of support for the direction I was considering. I was unprepared for what my colleagues actually helped me discover.

Being great coaches, they focused on what I said that made me light up. I was passionate about making the Now What? approach to career clarity and strategy the new norm, especially with young people. I was excited about how schools and parents might use it to guide our young people toward a natural and meaningful path for them. Before I could even understand what direction I was spinning towards, they were throwing contacts at me that made me want to curl up on the couch in fetal position. The names and places they were suggesting would be a big stretch.

After I shook off the shock, I realized that they had helped me to see what really mattered. As is often the case, it was clear to them before it was clear to me. I have no choice but to take the big stretches. All the other priorities faded to the background. They don’t even seem to matter anymore.

It’s scary. It’s daunting. It’s a game changer. And, it’s really exciting.

What matters to you? What makes you scared and excited all at once? Act on THAT.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you meet the season with peace, strength, and an awareness of and commitment to what really matters. Wouldn’t that be better than all the hype and stress?

Let me know how we can help.