What Really Matters...

By Mike Myatt, Chief Strategy Officer, N2growthWhat really matters? Hint…it’s not how many hours you work, what your title is, the number on your W-2, or your net worth. In this week’s column I’m going to deviate from the norm by providing something a bit different than the content usually found here. For one day only I will grant a reprieve from the typical Myattisms, and thus I’ll offer no advice, put forth no commentary, and make no attempt at witty satire. Rather the only thing that follows this paragraph is a list of questions meant to cause you to pause and think about what really matters in life…After all, business is only a small component of your life, and the questions that follow are designed to help breathe a bit of perspective back into the lives of the Type A personalities who typically follow my work.

1. How do your friends, family and coworkers feel about you? How do you feel about you? What do you see when you look in the mirror? Given where you are in life today, have you accomplished what you had hoped to accomplish by this point in time?   
2. When you wake-up in the morning do you feel excited about the day ahead, or do you feel frustrated, anxious or overwhelmed to 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 between where you are and where you want to be? What can you do NOW to begin making changes? 
3. Most professionals operate according to a business plan, but few have their business plan framed within the greater context of a life plan. Do you have a written life plan? Is your business plan aligned with your life plan? Are your daily actions in alignment with achieving the goals contained in your plans? Do you live according to your values and/or your faith, or do you easily compromise them when convenient? 
4. If you were hit by a truck tomorrow, how much unfinished business would be left behind? Have you said the things you need to say to your friends and loved ones? What legacy would you leave behind, 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 sacrificed something for the greater good and benefit of others?

Ponder, reflect, plan and most importantly, TAKE ACTION …