A balanced life recognizes when it’s time to give back – unilaterally. That life doesn’t need to ask “Can I monetize that?”
This blog entry contains my personal LinkedIn posts for June 20 through June 26, 2022.
My first time!
In college, I had several first-time experiences.
I lived in Washington D.C. for a year; my first time:
1). Living away from home
2). Learning to cook – poorly
3). Wrecking the car
4). Seeing snow – I grew up in Florida
5). Enduring messy roommates
6). Commuting into a big city
7). Working for a U.S. Government agency
On our last night, there was a knock at the door. A police officer walked through the house to arrest someone on our back porch!
Yes, that’s life in the big city!
Today’s Observation: It was my first experience in a large office setting that used a rigid, command-and-control structure.
As such, I got to watch the interactions between co-workers; some were good, some bad!
Where were you when you picked up a large number of first-time experiences!
Why am I doing this?
Ever ask this AFTER starting something?
Instead, reflect before starting.
Reflection pushes us to examine our:
1). Motives
2). Commitment
3). Consistency with who we are
When my WHY (my purpose, priorities) is very clear, my WHAT (activities, habits) will be very focused! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Today’s Observation: Taking action impacts how we see ourselves. It’s closely connected to our sense of self-worth. Preserve your self-worth by taking actions consistent with who you are.
The Precept: A precept-driven life enables us to know what’s right, then use good judgment to do the right thing, Proverbs 2.9.
How do you avoid the trap of making a quick commitment without clearly understanding the implications?
Finding our unique self!
How do we find our unique self? You know, that person who makes a significant impact on others.
Finding our unique self involves:
1). Personal growth that builds self-awareness. In part, we discover our unique self from insights gained by reflecting on life experiences.
2). Acknowledging our self-worth. We grasp the inherent value of our unique self. Don’t discount yourself!
As we develop self-awareness and self-worth we are much better equipped to recognize when a given career path fits our best self. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Today’s Observation: Our unique self makes possible our greatest contribution to others. Thus, we leave a mark in ways we don’t always recognize.
The Precept: Proverbs 19.8 teaches that it’s good to combine sound character with experiential insight.
The value of gratitude
Be grateful – it changes your mindset.
Sow gratitude – reap an abundance mindset.
We recognize the abundance we have when we are intentionally grateful.
We are as good and as impactful as what we have to give away to others! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Today’s Observation: We give our abundance to others out of the overflow from our lives. We receive back dramatic multiplication of what we have shared.
Giving and receiving is one aspect of a balanced life.
The Precept: Giving and receiving is at least a 3000 year-old precept. In Proverbs 13.7 we read that as we make ourselves poor (by giving) we gain great riches (from receiving).
When have you been the beneficiary of over-flow giving from someone else?
Lots of Noise!
We had four teenage grandchildren and their parents here yesterday for a birthday dinner. The quiet normally enjoyed by two (older) adults was no more!
Balance means both noise and quiet.
Now, it’s Saturday AM; return to normal. The loud group is headed to the beach. Just two (older) adults who are now dog-sitting for two weeks!
Here’s hoping you can enjoy some quiet this weekend, regardless of where you are!
Can I monetize that?
A sustainable business model requires cash flow.
But, every interaction doesn’t need to generate revenue.
For some of us, we’re at a stage in life where our goal is to give back with no expectation of revenue.
A balanced life recognizes when it’s time to give back – unilaterally.
WHERE we invest, and WHY we invest, are measures of WHAT we value, hence indicators of our character, that is, WHO we are! proverbsforprofessionals.net
Today’s Observation: Some things we do just to give away to others as a gift. Everything that’s of value to us does not need to be a source of cash flow.
The Precept: Proverbs 9.11 teaches that a precept-driven life is both productive and sustainable.
What are you sharing with no expectation of return?
