Meaningful Mondays - Arrows Out

Desires, Priorities, CHOICES...

"Every man has a defining point in his character where success or failure begins. It is the moment he makes a firm choice and never looks back."
- William George Jordan.

Don't let your ESSENTIAL be at the mercy of the important. Knowing your 'ESSENTIAL' gives you the power to say "no" to even the very important.

Go BIG this week, and Prioritize with Purpose

Desires dictate Priorities. Priorities structure our Choices. Choices determine the course of our lives. "The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule but to schedule your priorities."
– Stephen R. Covey

• Step 1: Review your list of desires.
• Step 2: Choose ONE thing from each of these four quadrants. Select the one thing that, when accomplished, will have the greatest effect on your other listed desires:
  - Core (Faith, Family, Health, Well-being) – If prioritized, what one desire would strengthen everything else in this area?
  - Experience (Learning, Competencies, Alliances) – What experience, learning, or association will create the most significant long-term impact?
  - Contribution (Arrows Out, Compassion, Impact on Others) – What act of service or generosity will amplify your influence?
  - Financial (Dynamic Value, Nurturing Connections) – What financial priority, when accomplished, will support everything else?
• Step 3: Reflect on these four priorities. When you achieve your top 4 priorities, what is the likelihood that almost everything on your list will also be achieved?

The Merchant of Death has Died!

We all have an “Obituary Moment” waiting for us.
A moment when we suddenly see clearly the ripples of our choices. But do we have to wait for an accident, tragedy, or mistake to have it?

What if we created our own Obituary Moment—right now?

The 'What do I Really Want" exercise to expand your authentic desires and creativity. Use paper and a pen - set timer for 10 min.- write without judgment, let it flow... everything you really want.
Look at it through the lenses of:

• Core Assets: Faith, Family, Health, Character
• Experience Assets: Moments, Growth, Learning, Alliances, Competencies
• Contribution Assets: Arrows Out™ (about others), Impact, Compassion, Giving
• Financial Assets: Value Creation, Resources, Stability, Security - Enduring Wealth™ not only the wealth you accumulate - but the wealth you circulate.

Do this exercise several times. Start over each time and see what your mind does. It only takes 10 minutes.

What Do You Really Want? A Quick Exercise to Gain Clarity

“Clarity isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about knowing what we value and what we’re working toward."

"Clarity of vision drives the courage to make bold choices."

"When we’re clear about our priorities, decisions become simpler. Without clarity, even small choices can feel overwhelming."

Desires, Priorities, Choices

"Desires dictate our priorities; priorities shape our choices; choices determine our actions."
- Dallin H. Oaks

Would you agree that everything we do influences future generations?

Many decisions are aspirational: "I want to be in good shape, spend more time with family, or grow my business." But choice happens in the NOW. The simple choice of hitting snooze or staying up late can conflict with our worthy desires or aspirations.

Let's go Upward, Onward, Outward, one choice at a time.

Why Experts Say "Goals Suck" (and what to do instead)

"The enemy of thriving is arriving."
- Lee Brower

"Vision without motion is frustration. Don't let the finish line rob you of the joy in the journey."

1997 NBA Finals - A Lesson Learned

"What does how I feel have to do with it? I was focused on what I did and how I could correct it."
- Kobe Bryant

Always make your future bigger than your past
- Dan Sullivan

Knowing what I know now, if I had the opportunity to re-live this moment, what could I do to make it even better?

"Failures and victories alike are tools for shaping us. Let's make 2025 a year where we embrace growth, create ripples of impact, and make our future bigger than our past."
- Lee Brower

How to ThRive in 25! Transforming VUCA into VOCA

"Do you want to be articulate and dangerous or vague and useless?
- Jordan Petersen

The ESSENTIAL tool for Th'rive in '25 is the VOCA Framework or mindset.
Make it a daily practice! VUCA = Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous vs. VOCA = Visionary, Ownership, Creates, Action Articulation is no longer optional -- it is essential! It is the bridge from VUCA to VOCA.

Articulation bridges a leader's intent with their audience's understanding.

The Spirit of Christmas and Hanukkah

The Christmas Day soccer game in No Man's Land. The Spirit of Christmas triumphed over conflict and fear, reminding us that light, hope, and love can unite even the most divided.

"Christmas reminds us to think of one another. We appreciate our families more. We renew contacts with old friends. We rise above the barriers that separate us at other times of the year. Strangers exchange greetings without embarrassment. Kindliness and consideration make a comeback. The spirit of Christmas brings out the best in us."
- Dallin H. Oaks

Lessons from a burned out bulb and a flat tire

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.”
– Johann Wolfgang von Goeth

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
– Winston Churchill

“The past is behind; learn from it. The future is ahead; prepare for it. The present is here; live in it."
– Thomas S. Monson