DO
WHAT MATTERS MOST
In my
last newsletter I encouraged you to
discover the meaning of success. Today
I’d like to challenge you to do what
matters most.
In this highly demanding world of
today in which the constant messages we
receive are to work harder, do more,
have more, be smarter, better, more
attractive, wealthier, etc….. it is no
an easy task to identify the things that
matter most.
Let’s see - what would your answers be
to the following:
What matters most?
§
Working late in order to obey your
company’s unwritten rules or get
home in time to tuck your small
children into bed for the night?
§
Taking the holiday
you desperately need in order to
re-connect emotionally with your partner
or staying behind to work on a deal that
could spell promotion?
§ Visiting
your mum in the nursing home because
she’s feeling lonely or rushing to a
work function?
§ Dealing
with a work crisis or supporting a loved
one in their time of crisis?
Asking what matters most is something
that’s very close to my heart as I write
this newsletter not long after I’ve been
informed that my sister’s only son has –
some hours ago - been killed in a car
accident. My heart says to rush to my
sister’s aid, to stand by her side as
she deals with the shocking and tragic
new reality of her life. My mind tells
me that I have an appointment book
filled with important commitments. Rushing
to my sister’s aid is no easy matter as
it involves a 24 hour flight and
means that I’ll be away from my husband,
my children and my work commitments
for quite some time....but what
matters most?
Given the tragic nature of the
circumstance, I haven’t found this
question all that difficult to answer.
Often, however, what matters most isn’t
quite as straightforward and arriving at
an answer may require significant
soul-searching. As I face the task of
supporting my sister and her family
through the most difficult time of their
lives, may I challenge you to give
serious thought to what matters most in
your life and to then ask yourself
whether your actions reflect your
conclusion?
POINTS TO PONDER
* This morning, did you
leave home without saying good-bye to
your husband/wife?
* Were there angry words
between you and a family member before
you went to work today?
* When was the last time
you told your mother and father how much
they mean to you?
* When did you last say ‘thank you’ to
your secretary?
* Did you let your work
colleagues know how much you valued
their timely encouragement?
* Have
you ever told your boss how much you
appreciate his/her mentorship, trust and
support?
* When
did you last tell your children how
precious they are to you - did you hug
them, kiss them and encourage them as
they walked out the door this morning?
* How
often do you tell the important people
in your life how much you love them?
ACTIONS AND WORDS THAT MATTER
Let me encourage you
today to use every opportunity to speak
words of approval, encouragement and
blessing to your loved ones; show
recognition, appreciation and kindness
to those with whom you work; let your
friends know how much you value their
friendship; be kind to those who test
your patience; be non-judgmental towards
those who don’t share your values or
views; give time to those who depend on
your presence; listen to those who seek
your understanding; help those who are
in need….and above all don’t ever let a
day go by during which you don’t tell
the important people in your life how
much you love them.
It may be the last
opportunity you get – how tragic if you
were to miss it!
