By Mike Myatt, Chief StrategyOfficer, N2growthWhat really matters? Hint...it'snot how many hours you work, what your title is, the number on yourW-2, or your net worth. In this week's column I'm going to deviatefrom the norm by providing something a bit differentthan the content usually found here. For one day only I willgrant a reprieve from the typical Myattisms, and thus I'lloffer no advice, put forth no commentary, and make noattempt at witty satire. Rather the only thing that follows thisparagraph is a list of questions meant to cause you to pauseand think about what really matters in life...After all, businessis only a small component of your life, and the questions thatfollow are designed to help breathe a bit of perspective back intothe lives of the Type A personalities who typically follow mywork.

1. How do your friends, family and coworkers feel about you?How do you feel about you? What do you see when you look inthe mirror? Given where you are in life today, have youaccomplished what you had hoped to accomplish by this point intime?
2. When you wake-up in the morning do you feel excited about theday ahead, or do you feel frustrated, anxious or overwhelmedto the extent that you have no desire to even get out of bed?Are you happy, balanced, satisfied, fulfilled and content? If not,why not? Do you know what actions to take to close the gap betweenwhere you are and where you want to be? What can you doNOW to begin making changes?
3. Most professionals operate according to a business plan,but few have their business plan framed within the greater contextof a life plan. Do you have a written life plan? Isyour business plan aligned with your lifeplan? Are your daily actions in alignment withachieving the goals contained in your plans? Do you liveaccording to your values and/or your faith, or do you easilycompromise them when convenient?
4. If you were hit by a truck tomorrow, how much unfinishedbusiness would be left behind? Have you said the things you need tosay to your friends and loved ones? What legacy would you leavebehind, and would you feel good about it, or disturbed by it?
5. When was the last time you told someone that you loved,respected, or admired them? When was the last time you sacrificedsomething for the greater good and benefit of others?

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