So here are five questions to consider:

1. Does this opportunity align with my core values and long-term vision?

Will this opportunity support the person I want to become or the life I want to create? You have to sleep at night knowing you’re not selling out, or selling your soul.

2. How will this opportunity impact my energy and well-being?

Does it feel life-giving, inspiring, or draining? Will it support my mental, physical, and emotional health?

These considerations have no price tag.

3. What is the potential for growth and learning?

Will this challenge me, stretch my abilities, and provide opportunities for growing in curiosity?

Sadly, many jobs leave little room for personal growth and lifting the lid on our leadership.

4. Does this contribute to the impact I want to have in the world?

Will this help me make a difference? Will this deepen my relationships or connections with others?

Does this company, organization, or opportunity make the world a better place, or the opposite?

5. Does this foster collaboration, community, or meaningful connections with like-minded people?

The people we work with bring life, or don’t. Our community matters.

These questions take us deeper into considering opportunities.

There are more factors beyond the monetary.

“Time is the most valuable coin in your life. You and you alone will determine how that coin will be spent. Be careful that you do not let other people spend it for you.” -Carl Sandburg

Every human has a finite amount of time. How will you spend it?

Most people spend their “coin” of time on the expectations of others. We make things urgent, which are not, and do “busy work,” never getting meaningful results in your life, leadership, and art.

How can we break the curse?

Try this simple framework for managing your tasks, responsibilities, and time:

1. Give the task a number of importance:

Is this a 10 and urgent?

Is it a 1, and can be done next year?

2. Give the task a timestamp and/or deadline:

Does this need to be completed by tomorrow, the end of the week, next month, or next year?

Make a deadline.

3. Tell your tasks where to live, and a why:

Now, you’re going to examine the urgency of these tasks. The ones needing immediate attention give them a place to live.

Talk to them:

*My task will get my attention on: {deadline}

*You will get my attention on this date because: {my why?}

Pay attention to your why because it reveals importance of the task, or maybe it’s not upon further reflection.

It also gives you a renewed motivation to do the task.

Example: My book project will get 500 words added by Friday. Why? I’ve always wanted to write a book, and help people with my ideas.

Example: My taxes will be paid by April 15th. Why? It’s only January, I don’t have the money, and it’s not urgent.

Talking about your tasks, responsibilities, and work can become a superpower. A powerful tool for relieving stress, worry, and living an intentional and purposeful life on your terms.

Not the dreams and expectations of others.

Try it and let me know how it goes?

-Ryan

“We set young leaders up for a fall if we encourage them to envision what they can do before they consider the kind of person they should be.” -Ruth Haley Barton

Many young folks (humans) want money. Fame. Influence.
Opportunity. Meaningful work.

Striving to find the Easy Button for such things.

But what happens if/when these things come, we aren’t the people to handle such blessings?

We live in a time when character is optional. Moral integrity a side show to whomever can yell the loudest.

And yet, history and experience and ancient texts will tell us… you can’t separate character and competence.

When competence, skill, opportunity, platform, or influence outpaces character, it’s a time bomb waiting to explode.

Character eats competence all day long.

And beware of the smokescreen that a competent person equals a person of character.

History is not kind to this oversight.

Jon Acuff, said in All it Takes is a Goal, if you want to get good at something, or turn something you enjoy into a craft, ask yourselves questions like this:

Can I do it better? Can I do it faster? Can I make it more enjoyable? Can I do it in fewer steps? Can I create something new if I add or remove a part? Can I measure and track my performance?

We live in a world of Premium Mediocre.

The illusion things are more fancy, special, and VIP than reality suggests.

Venkatesh Rao, said this in The Premium Mediocre Life of Maya Millennial:

“Premium mediocre is the finest bottle of wine at Olive Garden. Premium mediocre is cupcakes and froyo. Premium mediocre is “truffle” oil on anything (no actual truffles are harmed in the making of “truffle” oil), and extra-leg-room seats in Economy. Premium mediocre is cruise ships, artisan pizza, Game of Thrones, and The Bellagio.”

Premium Mediocre is the illusion of need. Feeds on our lack.

We need these things because they are better than the rest. We need these things because our lives are lacking, and will not be complete until you have the VIP tickets to the Oasis concert. Or the premium streaming package in 4K on four screens.

Premium Mediocre is smokescreens to reality.

PM is the killer of doing our best work. Making things that actually meet a need, and solve problems, and are forever premium.

Don’t fall into the trap of Premium Mediocre.

We need your Art.

In the speaking world, an abstract summarizes who you are, what you speak on, and how you can help your audience.

These summaries help event planners hire speakers based on the needs of the event, workshop, or seminar.

**The grounding question being: **

How can this person help our organization solve a problem, inspire us, educate us, and/or build morale for our company, association, or community?

We all have an abstract. Everyone brings experiences, gifts, skills, and art to the world. We all solve problems of various kinds.

I wonder if we should all write an abstract? You don’t need to be a speaker to do this.

Do you know why you’re here, what you do, and the art you make to help the world?

Do it, write a one-page abstract.

Answer these questions:

1. Who am I? What am I here for?
2. What expertise, skills, gifts, and art do I bring to the world?
3. What problems can/have I solved in the past? What problems do I hope to solve in the future?
4. How can I help others today?