Have you ever tried to evaluate your own significance in this world of over seven billion people? Do you think that our overall contribution has any effect on the big picture, or is our impact on friends and family all that really matters?
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I’m a regular reader of Jonathan Fields’ blog Awake@theWheel, and I especially enjoyed reading his post today. It was so thought provoking that I felt compelled to share it with you. I found the list of twelve questions to be, not only personally applicable, but also very revealing with regard to where Jonathan’s coming from. The title is, Are You Living a Significant Life? and here’s what he had to say:
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George Bernard Shaw said:
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To be used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one…I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live.
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I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a splendid torch, which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
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I keep coming back to this…the notion of service and significance
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Big picture and little picture. Global impact, local impact. I cannot rally to every cause, nor am I drawn to. One person’s all-consuming mission is not necessarily mine. But, for those that have meaning to me, be it growing a happy, loving, connected family or helping people grow businesses and careers that allow for greater self-determination…
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It’s always been about impact.
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And, I wonder, am I making a difference on some level? If so, how will I know? What’s my metric?
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So, I made a short list that I now look at each day, just as a way of reminding myself of the value I place on significant actions. It doesn’t stop me from wasting time, that still happens more than I’d like. Instead it serves as a reminder, something I can regularly refer back to as a vehicle to refocus on what matters most.
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Here it is:
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1. Have I served my community today, be it local or global?
2. Have I given without expectation of receiving today?
3. Have I done something to take care of my mind?
4. Have I done something to take care of my body?
5. Have I done something to take care of my spirit?
6. Have I mentored, taught, helped or coached someone?
7. Have I created something that will impact someone else?
8. Have I been present and involved with my family?
9. Have I been there for my friends and colleagues?
10. Have I led with compassion?
11. Am I leaving a footprint I am proud of?
12. Have I given anonymously?
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Do I always tick off every item on the list every day? Not a chance.
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Some days, I hit all 12 (it’s the rare day), most days I hit about half, other days, none. Regardless, it serves as a powerful “significance feedback loop,” a tool to keep me aspiring in the right direction and to hold me accountable to taking significant acts on a daily basis.
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