Several people have been asking me lately about how I maintain an empowered mindset, and how I have the energy to address situations like I just dealt with during my surgery at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, given all the circumstances I have and all the issues one deals with merely living with ALS. The simple answer is I follow my Plan and I walk my talk, more often than not! I am by no means perfect and I do get impacted by my circumstances. Thankfully, I have the training and the discipline to not allow those circumstances to rule my days. Perhaps minutes but NOT days!
In the Science of Being Great, Wallace D. Wallace says; ” All the experiences of life are designed by Providence to force men and women into self-activity; to compell them to cease being creatures of circumstances and master their enviroment.”
To this end I share with you one of the most profound exercises I have ever done:
About a year ago I did this exercise for the very 1st time, after my experience with it I put it in my programs, both the Master Plan and the Master Class. It completely transformed the way I relate to myself as a professional, a friend, a contribution and as a hunman being. The Self-Valuation altered how I saw myself and how others saw me as well. My business increased, I tolerated MUCH LESS BULLSHIT, I got rid of some clients even some friends, who despite their best efforts were more of a space suck in my world than a contribution and a partner. It happened gradually, naturally as I got responsible for who I am for others and for myself and it happened for the best.
Here’s how it goes:
On a fresh sheet of paper list one item per line, begin listing out the traits, characteristics, skills, talents, attributes, things you’ve been trained in, and perspectives you bring to the table in any relationship. Look at business relationships, intimate relationships, partnerships, teams, friendships, neighbors, etc. Ask yourself – What can I be counted on for? What do I add to any discussion, deal, transaction etc.? What do I bring to the table?
Keep writing for 20-30 minutes, if you feel like there’s more continue until you are repeating yourself, then put it away for 24 hours. Review it the next day and add anything you see is missing. If you are having trouble generating this list ~ ask the important people in your life, what you bring to the table~ only the good and positive please. If they can’t be positive don’t talk to them about this exercise.
Lest you have difficulty with this part allow me to remind you, again in the words of Wallace D. Wattles: “There are undreamed of possibilites in the common lives all around us in a large sense, there are no “Common” people.”
Sit with this list for 1 week, then review again – add what comes up for you. For the next week review the list for 5 minutes each morning. Type it up nicely and put it up o a wall or in your journal where you will see it. Let your SELF VALUATION work on you. (Notice this does not say self-evaluation!)
If you’d like go back and highlight what aspects apply to business only, an use another colour to highlight what applies to personal or imtimate relationships only.
Be present to the Value you bring to any and all interactions. This will transform your view of yourself and your view of the world. I promise you. Here’s to not tolerating Bullshit! Happy Valuation! Let me know how it goes!!
Now as to how this relates to why I would bother meeting with every authority willing to be accountable for what happened during the beginning of my recent stay at Northwestern Memorial Hospital: I will get this resolved for myself because I can. I will also do everything in my power to speak for those who cannot, or just don’t have the energy to talk. I will do my very best to make sure that the unacceptable behavior or the staff on 3/7 and 3/8 NEVER HAPPENS TO ANYONE AGAIN.
As Wallace D. Wattles reminds me: ” Live a great life where you are, and in the daily work you have to do, and greater works will surely find you out. Big things will come to you, asking to be done.”
