FREEDOM. How free are you? Is your freedom dependent on someone else? What are your divine rights? When I was in China in 2006 I was struck by the display of prosperity in places like Shanghai, with its large LED screens touting the latest fashions and movies. It was like New York’s Times Square on steroids.
GIVING. How generous are you? Do you give freely or are there usually strings attached? At a time when your bank account may be lower than last year and the stresses may be higher, it is even more important to understand the power of giving.
GRATITUDE. Do you actively appreciate what you have? Do you focus on misfortunes or blessings? What do you hold on to when times are tough? The constant flow of negative media headlines makes me pause and reflect. I end up feeling a sense of profound gratitude. It prompts me to look at my own life and count my blessings.
ACTION. What do you need to accomplish today? Is something holding you back from living fully? What step can you take right now to bring you closer to your life vision? Many of us live in our heads. We create stories of what we will do and re-live the emotions of what we’ve done – for good or bad. This prevents us from being fully Present in the moment.
EXPERIENCE. What have your experiences taught you? How much time do you spend thinking about what you want to do with your life versus actually doing it? When was the last time you shared your personal knowledge with others? Experience is life’s great teacher. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “People grow through experience…
THE X FACTOR. What sets you apart from others? What do you add to the world that is outstanding or just different? Does your business have a unique competitive advantage? What is your X Factor? Think about this scenario: two entrepreneurs have similar backgrounds, pretty much identical business proposals, and exposure to the same professional network and one of them secures funding and becomes a success while the other struggles. One seems to attract “luck” while the other doesn’t.
