To What End?

I've found that the better I am able to answer the 'to what end' questions in my life, the more effective I am. But I've also found that I do not always remember to subject all my actions to this very crucial question, and I therefore find that way too many of the things I spend valuable time on do not contribute to the legacy I want to leave on this earth.

And so today as I spent some time reflecting on the way I use my time, I realized I need to better align my time with the vision I have for my life, my destiny and ultimately my legacy. Not surprisingly, my thoughts led me quietly back to this big question I like to ask my staff, my children and my friends: "to what end"? Am I doing stuff just for the sake of doing them? To mark check boxes off? To provide a report of 'busy' work?  Obviously the question that best provides an answer (yes, questions can provide answers 😊) to all of this is , 'to what end?'

The architect whose vision is to design and build a cathedral is way more likely to achieve that goal than his companion who simply draws one blue print after another with no ultimate end in mind. The blogger whose vision it is to write a book will more likely reach that goal than the one who blogs with no end in mind. I know that, yet I do not always live like I do.

No wonder therefore that as I watched my time dwindle away today I kept hearing the words of Benjamin Franklin ringing in my head, "Dost thou love life, then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of."  No-brainer, right? But we aren't talking outright wasting time now are we? No, we are talking about spending valuable time doing work, busy work to which we are unable to connect a long term goal our vision, desires destiny and legacy.

So how did I course-correct today? I got me a pen and paper and reminded myself what I want my legacy to be. I reflected on the way I spent my day and questioned whether my activities were in any small way aligned to the legacy I plan to leave behind. Yeah, admittedly, sometimes we need to give ourselves a break.... but not for too long. When all is said and done I want my life here on earth to have counted . And so I reach for my filter 'to what end' and if the answer isn't leading in the direction of my legacy, I let go. And so today I invite you to hold your actions up to scrutiny and consider the very important life question, 'to what end'? What you do after you answer that question is entirely up to you.

You are not an Imposter!

In an earlier post I wrote how paralyzed I am by the imposter syndrome. Well, not in so many words...but I did express how frustrated I am with always feeling like I don't belong at the table. That's the imposter syndrome for you. It has you expecting to be exposed 'any day now' for the imposter you are., expecting that people will soon find out that you're a hoax; that you are not as capable and competent as you have pretended that you are.

So when you find yourself in the boardroom, after pinching yourselves a thousand times, and behaving like the cat's got your tongue, it takes you a few sittings to a make meaningful contribution because all this time you've been listening to the voice in your head telling you you are an imposter.

Dont listen to it. You know you've worked hard to be where you are. You've come to see that the people in the corner office are no smarter than you are; You've come to recognize that you add value to the room. In your own unique way. You're of no less value or worth than those who have occupied those chairs for what seems like forever.

You are no imposter. You are more than qualified to be where you are. No need to 'bluff- your way ahead. Take up space. Occupy! You belong!

Just express, Don't try to impress!

The change in my approach to writing is indicative of the change in my approach to life in general. I remember when it took me hours, days even, to write something I felt was worthy of public consumption. I would write and erase, and write again and erase again. It never felt good enough. I oftentimes felt the quality of my writing left me exposed to the vagaries of criticism, the type I wasnt sure I was prepared to handle. Cknsequently, so much was left unwritten...effectively unsaid.

Today, I find I write an article or blogpost in minutes. I express myself with very little care as to whether it will impact someone in ways that tell a story of my ability to write or not. I simply express myself. With no intent to impress. It's far less pressure and far more effective.

This is my third blog post in under three hours. None of them is perfect. I'm sure there are typos and punctuation issues, maybe even grammatical errors. I've found that people dont care much. I've found I'm learning to care less. I'm not aiming at perfection. Right now I'm not even sure I'm aiming at excellence. My intention is to use every medium at my disposal (this included) to have my say; to put my voice in the room...in ways that are simple and relatable. That's it.

So, once again as I use this opportunity prove to myself that I CAN, I am grateful for this urge that tells me there is more to be done with this talent. I'm happy for this strong desire to bring it to reality. I'm happy that I'm not allowing my tendency towards perfectionism to hold me back. I'm grateful for the willingness to embrace vulnerability
 Man, how I have grown! Peace...

Reinvesting 'Much.'

"From everyone to whom much is given, much will be demanded." What does that'much' look like for you? Money, talents, resources, networks, opportunities? I'm sure the first thought of many people upon reading this question is, 'I don't have much.' I guess that's based o  how you define it. Truth is, whether thay 'much' looks like 10%, 30% or 100%, we all have an obligation not simply to take care of it, but to multiply it.


The obligation to increase what we are given is a burden that some of us carry around with us everyday. Happily it is a  burden we gladly bear. Money, talents, opportunities, resources, compassion, love and concern must all be increased with the objective of re-investment in the lives of others. It is a noble calling.


The interesting thing about the 'much' we are given is that it requires reinvestment for guaranteed returns. Interest will never grow on money that is hidden away at home. In the same way, that which we have at our disposal is guaranteed to grow only as we invest in the lives of others. Every talent, every resource, every opportunity we take advantage of, yields the best fruit as it used to create increase in others.

So what's in your hand? The truth is that every miracle of change starts with that little that we have at our disposal. No. I did not say that MUCH that we have at our disposal. Few if us have much to start with. But all of us have enough to invest into making 'much.'With an everyday investment if time little easily becomes much. Much re-invested into someone else's life has the potential to create exponential change.