What is your true purpose?
Have you really led the full life as an example that you would want others to lead?
Has your love, support and friendship made a difference to others?
Are you good with how you will be remembered?
According to Paul Copcutt, those are the questions we should really be asking ourselves.
A few years ago I attended a workshop on “Personal Branding” at a Canadian Authors Association conference. I was so engaged by the insights and the authenticity of the workshop leader, Paul Copcutt, that I signed up for his e-newsletter. I have received useful advice from him over the years about networking, branding and achieving goals. A little over a year ago, I became one of the people who shared distantly in the story of his cancer journey.
Last week, he published an article entitled “Why cancer is an integral part of my personal brand.”
He found that when lives take an unexpected sharp turn as a result of cancer, people ask themselves the three questions above. When people asking those questions don’t like the answers they come up with, they know they have to make some changes.
Might be not a bad idea to ask those questions now instead of later, right?
As Paul says, if you are feeling unfulfilled, unsure, underappreciated, undervalued, even underwater, it might be a good idea to give your life a sharp turn that you direct for yourself.
Posted on April 24, 2012, in How do you define success?, Inspiration, Living life to the fullest and tagged Canadian Authors Association, cancer, Paul Copcutt, personal branding, what is my life purpose. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
Thanks Arlene for sharing. I lost sight for a while last year of some of that insight and authenticity, but it’s back. You are absolutely right and in my presentations now I urge people to ask themselves those three questions – NOW!. Just my toonies worth. Take care.
I’m glad you found me. Sending you a note was on my list of things to do today. We haven’t communicated over the years, but I have been appreciating you and supporting you along the way.
“Have you really led the full life as an example that you would want others to lead?”. Hm… Given the fact that my life is just a “shitty first draft” 🙂 I wouldn’t suggest to anyone that I’m an example to lead! 😆 (although I am, some say, sometimes). This being said, I have lived my life wholeheartedly, with endless imperfection, and at this point (age 56) no regrets.
I have experienced again and again, that what others appreciate about us are things we take for granted or find so natural that we hardly notice. My guess is that I will be remembered for that kind of things – and that’s OK. I appreciate being remembered. For what exactly is not all that important to me. 🙂
You are absolutely right that “others appreciate about us are things we take for granted or find so natural that we hardly notice” – I find this often in working with clients about their strengths and unique skills. It’s nice when they are noticed and appreciated 🙂 – Just my toonies worth
Probably a good idea to make a practice of noticing and appreciating those things in others and telling them about them when we have the opportunity.
I imagine we would all be surprised by the things that people remember us for. We can hope that they remember the good stuff, and maybe overlook the not so good? All those “shitty first drafts”? Here’s hoping.