[Think As Inc.] December 3, 2007 Newsletter http://ezezine.com Your life is a business. You have a: MISSION: the reasons you live your life; BRAND: the message you project to the world; PRODUCT LINE: the skills and qualities that are your unique assets; BOTTOM LINE: your financial picture; CLIENT BASE: professional, personal, and don’t forget, yourself. Your life is YOUR business, and you are its CEO. IN THIS ISSUE Something to Think About: WALKING TO YOUR GRAVE Something to Do: REFLECTIONS ON 2007 Inspirational Quotes: News and Upcoming Events WALKING TO YOUR GRAVE I attended a lecture on happiness by a master yogi from India. On the topic of certainty and uncertainty, he noted that the only real certainty we have is how every one of us with each and every step is walking to our grave. We may have lots of steps left, or we may have few. We may have an idea of how many (if we have a diagnosis of illness for example), or we may be taken by surprise. The point he made was to choose happiness each and every step of the way. Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive. – Elbert Hubbard That quote is a funnier take on the same idea: if living life to the fullest is our goal, then we all end in failure because we all die. So don’t worry too much in-between. I don’t point this out to minimize any concerns you have. You can’t wish your fears away and be carefree on demand. Your business idea may fail. Your career may stagnate. You may be entering 2008 with the same resolution from 2007 because you haven’t achieved that pesky goal yet. But it won’t be better to not even try or to wait till a better time or to pick a lower standard. You’re dying! You’re dying figuratively, if you believe (as I do) that giving up on your dreams is a form of death. You’re dying literally, since barring a medical miracle (and cheaper healthcare to afford the miracle) we all are going to die. What do you want to do before you die? If you had one year left, what would be your priorities? If you had two, what then? Since we don’t know, fill in your list for more -- five, ten and twenty years from now. If the business idea or career promotion or pesky goal is not on the one-year list, drop it for now and pick something that resonates more immediately. Turn fear on its head and paralysis into action, and take a step. Then, as you’re walking to your grave, pick up as much happiness as you can along the way. REFLECTIONS ON 2007 As we barrel into next year – preparing for the holiday season, tying up projects at work, thinking about our new year resolutions – it is easy to diminish the significance of the current year. But there are insights to be gained upon reflection on 2007: What milestones occurred in 2007? What are you particular grateful for in 2007? What will you remember most about 2007? What did you learn in 2007? What was your favorite event in 2007? What was your favorite movie/ book/ show from 2007? Who shared your life in 2007? What was the funniest thing that happened in 2007? What is most special about 2007? What is most special about today? Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present. -- Eleanor Roosevelt INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of effort is the same. -- Carlos Castenada NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS SixFigureStart, a career coaching practice I co-founded, is hosting a free teleclass on Interviewing. Wed, Dec. 12, 2007 at 9pm EST SURVIVE THE FIRST-ROUND INTERVIEW, led by Linda Reals Linda Reals has recruited for Time Inc, Andersen Consulting, First Manhattan Consulting and Citigroup. Linda started her career as a Financial Analyst for Solomon Brothers, Inc and later as a Private Banker for Citibank Asia. The 45-minute teleclass is free, but you may incur long-distance charges to access the conference phone line (in Iowa). Spots are limited. Please email info@sixfigurestart.com to reserve your place and receive the call-in details. If you have friends who may want to join the distribution list, please have them visit http://home.ezezine.com/2034/ to sign up. You can also see previous newsletters at that link. All information is copyright © Caroline Ceniza-Levine 2007 www.thinkasinc.com