Photo: D. Paul Graham, “Rapids”, Fergus, Ontario, circa 1984 (Kodachrome 64)

“Monday 5 Things”™ ….. You …..

“While you’ll feel compelled to charge forward it’s often a gentle step back that will reveal to you where you are and what you truly seek.”  ~ Rasheed Ogunlaru. More packing and pondering again this week. More sorting and shredding. More reminiscing and recycling.  More celebrating change and charging forward. More stepping back and being thankful for finding what I have been seeking. This morning’s M5T takes a look at You.

1. It’s your life.

Set your path and create the life you want with the end in mind. Take responsibility for who you are, what you do, and where you want to be. You may be criticized, misunderstood, mocked, and at times left in isolation, mostly likely by those closest to you. Refuse to allow anyone to take your voice or shape your life with their vision. This is your life. Accept who you are and who you want to be. Moment by moment. Day by day. Month by month. Year by year, until you can see it, believe it, and live it. Fully, without excuse.

2. Strive for excellence.

Steadfastly reject mediocrity or “just good enough”. Demand excellence for yourself without compromise. Be wise in who you allow to influence yourself and wiser yet in how you influence others. Find your passions. Resolutely live them with abandon.

3. It’s your story.

Define your narrative in your heart and mind. Appreciate that the best lessons and growth will come from failures and from falling. Embrace those lessons with dignity and be willing to reorient, reinvent and redefine yourself if needed. Give yourself permission to thrive and then celebrate and accept your successes with grace, honor and gratitude.

4. Find your “So that”.

Your raison d’etre. A reason to get up every morning. Something that’s bigger than you, of which you are uniquely gifted and talented to impact. Something you can leave a mark on, produce value for, that resonates with your dreams, your passions, and the life you are creating.

5. It’s your dream.

Understand how much runway you need to take flight. Set milestones and recognize constraints and limitations. Build a foundation of faith. Be purposeful, have a sense of urgency, abhor procrastination, and never stop learning. Go beyond just talk. Step up and just start.

Here’s to you and the life you are creating this week.

© 2023 D. Paul Graham, all rights reserved.

For over 11 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T.

You can reach Paul by email at dpg@imagegraham.com