Last week we awoke to a rather desperate message on our answer machine from a friend just released from the ICU unit, telling us she would not be released from the hospital anytime soon. She'd been battling that wicked flu bug going around for days, but her lab tests revealed an infection in her blood that had the doctors concerned.
Our friend had a prior episode years ago requiring weeks in a hospital to remove an infection caused by a growth on her heart. This condition required regular check-ups, but hadn't been kept up on as of late. Long story short, she needed to have her valve replaced. From influenza to open heart surgery ... in just 2 short weeks.
Needless to say, when something like this happens to someone close, it's a major wake-up call, and we've been going through our reality check list with an inspired passion to make sure we're being as honest as possible about everything.
Based on what you have going on in your personal and professional life, here's a few questions to assist you in your reality check list;
CORE Attitude
Our bodies are the vehicles we are given to drive around in while here on earth. Unlike automobiles, we can't trade them in on a newer model from time to time. We get only one body, and it will perform over time, commensurate to how well we take care of it.
- Does your current diet and exercise program (or lack thereof) support your body's activity level?
- Are you getting adequate sleep to support your body's regeneration process?
- Are you physically, emotionally and mentaly being fed in such a way as to keep your attitude supporting you in all of your endeavors?
- Do your current beliefs render you the internal support necessary to be effective at what you do?
- Are your current philosophies affording you an enjoyable journey through life?
If the answers to these 'reality check' questions do not honestly put a smile on your heart, then what are you waiting for?
CORE Communication
We may choose to think that our personal and professional relationships are not in as much need of regular and ongoing maintenance as our physical bodies, but that is a misnomer.
What is or isn't said, knowing the appropriate things to say, the way in which we say it, and of course the timing of when it's said, are determining factors as to whether our communication is working for us or against us.
- Are your current personal and professional interactions up to date?
- Are there things you haven't said to someone, that if they were gone, you'd wished you would have said?
- Are there people in your life that you haven't opened up to, that if they were gone, you'll always wonder what you missed?
If the answers to these 'reality check' questions does not honestly put a smile on your heart, then what are you waiting for?
CORE Relationship
- Are your most valuable relationships realizing a profitable return?
- Are your current personal and professional relationships up to date?
- Have you afforded each of your relationships the absolute best that you have to offer?
If the answers to these 'reality check' questions does not honestly put a smile on your heart, then what are you waiting for?
CORE Leadership
Leadership is always a dynamic of relationship. Without relationship, there is no one to lead! We tend to think of leadership in terms of leading others, yet to effectively lead others; we need to first be able to effectively lead ourselves.
- Are we being an effective leader in our own life and affairs?
- Are our own personal, relational and professional involvements getting better as a direct result of our leadership?
- Can we expect others to follow and take us seriously as leaders, if we are not equally invested in our own self leadership?
If the answers to these 'reality check' questions does not honestly put a smile on your heart, then what are you waiting for?
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