DAY 14: It's All About Choices - Oh, and Self-Worth

Sorry this was delayed - technical problems (like sleep). But it will be worth it.

Today was about recognizing what your "red books" - the knowledge that you have, the thing that you cherish that you would not part with unless you knew it was going to be honored and appreciated as much as you do - are.

For me, that's anything on understanding difference, creating curiosity, and being open to change. My knowledge on dealing across difference and managing transition is something that I give away only to people who really want it and appreciate it. I don't shove it down peoples' throats or throw it at every problem as the solution.

The action: (really, really loved this...) for 6 minutes do a focused free-write on "If your work were the answer to a question, what would that question be?" Read it when you are done. Then circle a hot spot, write on that word for 4 minutes. What does it reveal about that thing for which you have the most passion, the thing that you would most protect and cherish? How can you make it so?

This is a brilliant coaching exercise - one that I will certainly use in the future. I hope to hear from everyone who is reading this blog at least one sentence on what thrills them!

My question was of course along the lines of living in a way that I not only reach my fullest potential but connect and co-create with all the other potential out there. How can I be most alive and true and aware?

Life comes down to choices, ones that are incremental and ultimately shape our lives. There is a beautiful quote by Annie Dillard that says it perfectly:

How we live our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.

The challenge: So, Patti suggests that we keep a catalog of all the choices we make every day.

Coffee or tea? Drive or bus? Truth or white lie? (Think Annie Dillard here.) Then review you record, which ones caused you to pause? Do they tap into something meaningful to you?

Did you make choices based on what others expected of you? Safety over risk?

Examine your patterns. What did you learn about how you make choices?

If you haven't read "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, then I highly recommend it. It is about many things. One of them - choices.