I don’t want to live an extraordinary life so that I have a bigger bank account, a nicer car, bigger house and more toys. I know that if I live an extraordinary life, many others will also as a result. Undeveloped potential cheats those we touch, influence, and impact. It deprives ourselves of joy, satisfaction and opportunities. Living our lives to our fullest potential is not an opportunity, it is our responsibility and obligation to be the best version of ourselves we possibly can be every day. Our own lives will benefit, as well as all the people depending on us: our spouses, children, friends, employees, coworkers, customers and our community. Living an extraordinary life is living life fully. We all have enormous potential inside each of us, and if there are parts of that potential that we do not develop, then we are cheating the rest of the world out of the contribution that we could have made. If I do not live fully, I don’t just deny myself a lot of joy and satisfaction, I also deny the rest of the world the benefit of what I could have contributed. True success is when you are firing on all eight cylinders: spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, with family, socially, in your career, financially and all deserve your very best.
When hearing for the first time the flight attendant instructing us: “You must put your own oxygen mask on first before helping those around you” it actually sounds a bit selfish. However, what use will you be to anyone else if you do not take care of yourself first?
A personal purpose statement is not something you just write out, post, and expect automatic achievement from. You need to make yourself accountable; it needs to be measurable. For me, living an extraordinary life means there are so many things personally, and professionally that I need to work on daily. It is everything from whom I am spending my time with (are they positive or negative influences in my life?) to my health, exercise, and diet. Some people think that if they eat junk food all day, that is their business. However, I realize that if I eat a poor diet, it is one of the most selfish things I can do. Because when I get home after work, I am going to be exhausted and irritable and not have any good energy left to spend with my family. Therefore, I just cheated them. It is not only living longer, but it is the quality of life I want to have during my sixties, seventies and beyond.
Any time I am feeling like I am not living an extraordinary life, and that includes laughing, singing, humming, dancing, chanting, and whistling while I work – and that is more times than I like to admit – I can look at my key drivers and see why. I can see what I am neglecting – and hopefully I can get right back on track.
“How dare you be ordinary?
Live an Extraordinary life and, as a result, countless others will also”.
Joyful blessings,
Kathryn