You aren’t what you do

What you do is important. Aside from being the act that provides food, shelter, cars and shoes, it provides money. But money is just a resource. A scarce good. Something that allows us to do things, procure things, help others, provide for others, and hopefully  — make a difference.

What we do is also important because for many of us it defines how we spend a material amount of our time. Whether in an office at the top of a fifty story building or a subway train 50 feet below the city streets, what we choose to do is critical because no one wants to be miserable — most of the time.

And in this day and age, most of us work — most of the time.

But what we do doesn’t define us. It isn’t our essence. What we do — is what we do. Nothing more, nothing less. For others to be impressed, or not impressed. The answer is irrelevant. What we do is a vessel. A vessel to procure resources (and for those of us who are lucky) to help our fellow human.

You are what you eat

Whether food, books, movies, or Facebook, we are a product of the experiences to which we expose ourselves. Good food leads to workouts, Spin, Soul Cycle, strength training, or whatever it is you do. Books on finance and strategy lead to a mind rich in concepts, principles, and enduring truths that make companies more valuable. Businesses more competitive. Teams stronger.

Movies inspire us. Entertain us. Enable us to escape. Documentaries transport us to places we’ve never been. Comedies take us to places we need to go.

Whatever experience you choose — fill it with purpose. Sometimes we forget the best purpose is to sit back, relax, and just breathe. That can be as rewarding, fulfilling, and productive as 10 hours in the office.

You are defined by your relationships

Who you love. Who you hate. Who you admire. Who is your arch enemy?

Our relationships define us. Do you bring people together? Do you know someone who would benefit from helping someone else in your network. Can you make a helpful email introduction to a colleague?

Just send them to have coffee together.

It’s not about landing someone a client, a customer, a new vendor. Sometimes it’s just introducing someone to somebody that they SHOULD know. For whatever reason. Maybe they’re complimentary referral partners. Maybe they are two talented professionals who share similar mindsets.

Even better — maybe there’s no super-clear reason why these people need to be connected. But your gut tells you do make the intro. Just do it.

Trust your gut. Sometimes it’s the best friend you’ve got.

You aren’t predetermined to succeed or fail

It never ceases to amaze me how many people look around them, observe their present situation, and believe it to be permanent reality. Where we are at this moment is entirely fleeting. We have the power to change the place that we live, the people in our lives, the job that we do, the things we believe.

Change is a simple act.

Once sparked, the idea of change takes fire. Kindled from merely a notion, the idea of change must grow into motivation. Motivation begets action. Through action, we achieve change. Dare to think. Dare to sit back and clear your mind. Where do you see yourself tomorrow. Where do you see yourself in a year. Five.

Now compare that to where are you now.

What has to happen to transform you to what you just envisioned? Sometimes it’s easy. Sometimes it’s hard. But regardless of the effort, growth, and heartache, nothing is accomplished without that first step.

Dare to change. Dare to act.

You’re important

Never let anyone tell you otherwise. Those who value you show it.

Those who love you — tell you.

We aren’t perfect creatures. But we are perfect enough to know those who love us, care for us — prioritize us.

Not everyone will. Not everyone will all the time.

But we can strive to spend every waking moment of our lives with those who value and love us in life, business, and everything in between.

At the end of the day, the powerful thing about life is that my experience can be entirely different than yours. And yours, mine. Life it seems — is a bit too short to waste it with people who aren’t on the same page.

You are loved

You are. Someone loves you. Somewhere.

And in the end, that’s all that really matters.

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