Recently a 36-yr-old MBA in exec position in an exciting industry shared this concern in her coaching profile: “I have a vague sense that my life is too small.”
Living large does not necessarily mean a bigger salary, house, cars or retirement fund. It has nothing to do with fancy vacations or the latest fashions. Rather, it means having a life that is full of meaning and purpose. And that can occur – or be absent – at any place on the continuum of the traditional parameters of “success.” I’ve seen millionaires who are living life “small” and those with scarce financial resources who are living “large.”
Let me ask you this:
What is your life saying to the world? Are you living your life too small? Is it so full of meaningless tasks that there’s no room left for the things that make your heart sing? Are you pushing so hard in doing more that you’ve lost the sense of being more? Does more activity really equal greater accomplishment, or does it at some point tip the scale and begin to diminish the meaning of your life? Are you creating the legacy you want to leave for your loved ones?
Reflect back on the last three months – yes, just back to the first of this year. What have you done to keep your life from being too small?
Can you identify:
- 4-5 ideas you had for a better job or starting your own business?
- 3 things that you did just to help someone out with no expectation of payback?
- Books you read or listened to that enlightened your spirit, confidence, knowledge and wisdom?
- Hours spent in quiet contemplation?
- 2 or 3 things you did that you had never done before?
- Concerts, art shows, seminars, workshops or other enriching experiences you attended?
- 2 or 3 specific things you did to strengthen the relationships that mean the most to you?
If you have no responses to these seven questions, chances are strong that you are living your life too small.
More tips:
[bctt tweet=”No one cares about your IQ. Focus on your I Can.” username=”@48daysteam”]
Replace “but” with “and” – you’ll be amazed at the new opportunities.
Make it a regular practice to embrace the living large times in your life. Wisdom, peace, contentment, and insight about investing your life in fulfilling work will grow in those times. Take a walk, give thanks for simple things, take a bath with music playing and candles burning, turn off the telephones, TV, and computer. Carve out those times for restoration and spiritual breathing. Don’t confuse activity with accomplishment. Don’t let your life be too small.
I am HAPPY to say I did 6 out of the 7 within the last 3 months! I did not do #1 because I already have my own art business and am working on that! So, I must be livin’ large! Thank you Dan for this insightful article. I haven’t been suffering from dissatisfaction, but experiencing a sense of adventure as I ready my first book for publication and continue producing art with the marketing expertise of a wonderful gallery I am now in affiliation with!
A wonderful message Dan!
I occasionally worry that I spend too much time on the things on your list and not enough time on the things that make me appear outwardly successful. But in reviewing your list, I realized I’ve had a very full year. It helped to look at just the last three months. I tend to get stuck focused on where I want to be 10+ years from now and neglect to celebrate the small wins I make every day.
Thank you for the encouraging post at just the right time.
Oh, and the happiest 50th Anniversary to you and Joanne.