Being Point

Month: December 2008

  • Focus on what really matters December 12, 2009

    WHAT REALLY MATTERS is a question whose answer depends entirely on context.  I attended a celebration of life last night where an old friend beautifully articulated that in our consumerist culture, money is, as he said, “the god.”  He contrasted that with the Balinese culture where his experience is that people live with their hearts wide open and the god is Love.

    He said that in Bali, people listen not just to your words, but to the spirit behind your words.  They listen to your intention.  He said that you can spend 15 minutes with a Balinese, and years later, they’ll remember you because of the imprint you made — to which they were deeply attentive — years later.

    Choices become easier when they are sharpened and contrasted.  What really matters, Money or Heart?  Easy answer; right?  How easy is it to practice that answer?

    Jewel said, “In the end, only kindness matters.”  Check out the song “Hands” at:
    http://www.youtube.com/watchv=0lYTlfCyrXI&feature=related

    What is your relationship to kindness?

  • Focus on what really matters December 11, 2009

    In considering WHAT REALLY MATTERS, our attention turns to what really matters to others:  spouses, partners, significant others, family, friends, clients, employees, employers – and even people whom we don’t know.

    Respect for diversity of opinion, empathy for experiences, appreciation of individual and group points of view – all of these generate expanded understanding which, in turn, expands harmony and peace.

    How aware are you of what really matters to the important people in your life?  How much do you attempt to understand, appreciate, accommodate and allow different points of view?  Today, please consider the effects and benefits that can arise from being attentive to what really matters for others.

  • Focus on what really matters December 10, 2009

    Say, WHAT REALLY MATTERS?  Health, family, love, faith, freedom, joy, relationship, service, connection?

    Yes, of course, our conversations this week indicate that you believe that those really matter.  Today, let’s consider what really matters on a global level and what we believe we can do about it.  We are experiencing a time of increased attention on hope and change.

    Consider the implications of this quote:

    “The poverty of our century is unlike that of any other.  It is not, as poverty was before, the result of natural scarcity, but of a set of priorities imposed upon the rest of the world by the rich.”  – John Berger

    What do you believe really matters for the world?  How can you participate and contribute to the world in these regards?  What degree of power do you feel you have to influence change in WHAT REALLY MATTERS?

  • Focus on what really matters December 9, 2009

    We had some great conversations yesterday about WHAT REALLY MATTERS.

    Beyond and in addition to the “big picture” issues like love and health and relationship, we examined “game changers” — items that, if included or excluded, could transform a situation.

    By definition, what really matters in any category – family, health, work, relationships, finances – are top priorities.  It’s eye-opening to ask ourselves if we’re actually taking care of things that matter to us most – OR if we have been addressing lower level priorities for various reasons including being simply caught up in the daily swirl.

    Kind of scary, huh, to think that we might have been too busy to attend to what really matters?

    Today, remember to name the top three results you wish to produce.  Write them down and revisit them throughout the day.  Regular practice allows increasing attention to your highest priorities.

  • Focus on what really matters December 8, 2009

    Our theme this week is: HOW TO FOCUS ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS.

    It has been easy for us to slip into patterns of hectic activity and overly busy lives. Often, we have been caught up in modes of consumption and acquisition to the detriment of having a life that works well.

    Of course, we must be attentive to financial and career goals, but few would say at the end of a life that money was number one.

    What is your personal plan and approach for focusing on what really matters?

    How well are you able to keep to that plan?

    What results are you experiencing?

    How would you like it to be expanded or changed?

  • Change December 5, 2008

    Most likely, we’ve all heard Ghandi’s quote, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

    What exactly does this mean?

    Consider the possibility that leading by example in situations that you wish to change is a very effective way of influencing the behavior of others.  It means potentially taking a chance and being bigger, kinder and more loving.

    The point is to take individual responsibility for change rather than trying to change others.  Can you think of a personal or business situation where you can benefit from being the change you wish to see.

  • Change December 4, 2008

    As we consider CHANGE this week, it’s worthwhile to think about the wisdom and effectiveness of groups in creating POSITIVE CHANGE.

    Margaret Mead famously said:

    “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

    There can be enormous satisfaction in being part of a team, a group, a partnership, an enterprise – all manner of kinds of undertakings together.

  • Change December 3, 2008

    Any “change” in the way you relate to our topic, CHANGE, this week?Today, let’s talk about the relationship between habits and change.  Conventional wisdom is that you can change a habit for the better by focusing on it for 30 days.

    Mike Murdock says:  “You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.”

    What habit would you most like to change?

  • Change December 2, 2008

    Victor Frankel, who survived internment in Nazi concentration camps, said in MAN’S SEARCH FOR MEANING:

    “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”

    What situations in your life challenge you to change yourself?

  • Change December 1, 2008

    In his book, THE SEVEN LEVELS OF CHANGE, Rolf Smith discusses the following kinds of positive change:

    1   Effectiveness – doing the right things

    2   Efficiency – doing things right

    3   Improving – doing things better

    4   Cutting – doing away with things

    5   Adapting – doing things other people are doing

    6   Different – doing things that haven’t been done before

    7   Breakthrough – doing things that can’t be done

    Our work involves optimizing your ability to produce any and all results that you wish.  This week, please take a moment to list at least one item, for each of the categories above, that you would like to change.  Karen Kaiser says:

    “Life is change.  Growth is optional.  Choose wisely.”