Now, you’ve no doubt seen this question circulating amongst the well-intentioned, self-help best-seller bookshelves’ residents for years. It’s pulled out time and again as the ultimate refiner of focus, the samurai sword of the cut-through-the-fluff-ers’ arsenal, the go-to tool of the productivity heroes’ utility belts. Ready?

If you only had six months to live, what would you do right now?

Ta da! Answer that question, and all your troubles will be solved, right?

Well…

Answer that question, yes.

Like Leo says—and I agree with him completely—it can be a great reminder when the minutiae of life starts sucking you down like quicksand. It’s a great question for the moments when you get so fixated on busy-work that you’ve lost sight of what matters to you. It’s also a great question to keep in mind as you’re establishing your life’s priorities and goals, and writing New Year’s Resolutions (assuming anyone still does that anymore), and vacation planning (New Jersey, or Bali? Hmm…).

But, don’t use it when you should be asking something else.

When it comes to planning the vision of your company, this is perhaps the last question you should be asking. Unfortunately, it’s often pulled out in circumstances like this, because it’s seen as the end-all, be-all question. But it’s no Leatherman question, believe me. Why not?

Because this question gives you a view of your life that’s illusionary.

What, are you saying we’re going to live forever? No, silly… at least not physically.

But chances are pretty good that you’re going to be here longer than that… and you’d better plan for it.

If you were only going to live another six months, and knew it ahead of time, do you think you’d be solely concerned with the actions of your business? Hardly. You’d be looking at ways to get in as much family time, quality time, and personal time as possible. You’d be spending your time connecting with the people in your life that matter to you, getting your affairs in order, and maybe slipping in a few once-in-a-lifetime activities. I know I would.

What I wouldn’t be doing is revising my Facebook profile, blogging, twittering (much ), and I darn sure wouldn’t be redesigning my dream website.

Assuming, though, that you are going to be around longer, your questions change considerably. Ask yourself, instead, “If I was going to live another 40, 50, or 60 years, what would I be doing?”

Your answers change, don’t they. They probably change a lot.

Instead of thinking, “Skysurfing over Cozumel,” now you’re thinking, “Change the so-and-so industry,” or, “Expand my business internationally,” or, “Make a difference in the lives of every child in Ghana.” Not that it has to be ultra-grandiose, either… you could be thinking, “Grow my business to where I can sell it/retire in enough time to enjoy my grandkids.” Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what you come up with.

What matters is that you’re thinking about your life, not your endgame.

The problem I have with the six-months-to-live question is that it tends to obliterate the more common reality that you’re going to be here a while. You’ve got a chance to make an impact, in whatever way that matters to you. You’ve got a chance to make something of your self, your life, and your contribution to others.

The balance, of course, is to live for the moment at the same time you’re living for seven generations. Both perspectives are vital, and they aren’t mutually exclusive. You can do amazing things in the time you have, and have amazing times in the things you do. It takes focus, of course… and it also takes a realist’s eye to see where and how to apply it.

So…

If you only have forty years to live, what would you do right now?

Maybe you’d start taking your business more seriously. Maybe you’d take your health more seriously, or think a bit more about the person you share a bed with — or want to. Maybe you’d think of better ways to invest in your relationship with your kids.

Maybe you’d start reaching out and connecting with people more. Maybe you’d revise your Facebook profile, blog about something you love, start twittering (a lot ), and for darn sure, it’d be a good idea to start redesigning your dream website.

Is the ‘six month’ question useless?

Heavens, no. Overused? Probably. But still useful, in the right context, along with the other questions that take into account the much more likely scenario.

The question is, what would you do? Think about both questions, “six months” and “forty years”, and post your first thoughts to the comments, would you? I think it would be really helpful to see what others come up with.

Image by Rickydavid.

© Adam for Adam Kayce, 2009. | Permalink | 12 comments

She lives so large, she makes superheros nervous.

Edna Mode, referred to as "E" (analogous to Superman’s "S", or Mr. Incredible’s "I"), fashion designer and costumer of superheros in Pixar’s The Incredibles, packs so much juice, boldness, and raw energy into her tiny frame that she’s a force to be reckoned with, even for indestructible superheros.

If E can have that kind of effect on fantastically empowered champions, imagine what thinking like E could do for you.

Superheroes are easy, darling. Mediocrity is much more difficult to work with—and it is in such great supply.

Why You Should Think Hard About Thinking Big

Oh sure, every motivational speaker out there is going to tell you, "Shoot for the stars! Dream! Be all you can be!" And it’s good for their business to do so; after all, they’re in the entertainment business. They’re there to pump you up, and help you face the big challenges that go along with big dreams.

But "thinking big" goes beyond just priming your emotional pump. It’s damn good advice.

Take a page from Google

Thinking big has helped Google go from an odd-sounding startup to a gargantuan online empire, the size of which most of us can’t even fathom. Bill Weihl, "Green Energy Czar" of the Renewable Energy Department of Google (yes, you read that right), described plainly the practical genius behind thinking big:

Even if you don’t always achieve 100% of audacious goals, you’re probably doing better than if you set milder goals.

Think about it: why not aim for a BHAG? You could aim for "decent", and you’ll probably arrive. Hooray for you. Enjoy that big helping of decent pie. Tastes like vanilla cardboard, doesn’t it?

Passion Ignites The Soul

Whether you follow U.S. politics or not, and whether your blood runs red or blue, you’ve no doubt heard about Barack Obama. Why is this man sweeping the nation, igniting the fires in people’s hearts, and renewing faith where it was once lost?

Because Obama knows how to dream.
Because he knows that dreams and hope are powerful forces.
And because he knows, as Seth does, that hope and love are far more powerful than fear.

Enough Theory — How Do I Get There Myself?

Thinking big is sometimes easier said than done, ain’t it? When you’re gripped by fear and uncertainty, it can seem tough to think like an advocate for living ginormously.

If you’re finding it hard to rise up and go, guns blazing, remember the words of E herself:

You are Elastigirl! My God! Pull yourself together! What will you do? Is this a question? Show him you remember that he is Mr. lncredible, and you will remind him who you are! Well, you know where he is. Go! Confront the problem! Fight! Win! And call me when you get back, darling. I enjoy our visits.

• Remember who you are: When you’re thinking small, it’s because you’ve forgotten who you truly are. Read testimonials you’ve been sent. Or things your best friends have told you about yourself. Recall your strengths, your marquee talents, and above all, the content of your heart. No matter what you’ve done in your life, this much is true: you have a glorious, shining heart, and you can remember that at any time just by sitting quietly and getting in touch with it.
• Confront the problem: Resist the urge to procrastinate, to slink away from your challenges and hide within the comfortable (but diminishing) blankets of the known. (And if you need a hand with this one, I know a resource you may be interested in…)
• Fight! Win!: Anything worth accomplishing is going to be hard work. Otherwise, every lazy-butt sloth out there would be king. You’ve got to declare what you want, no matter how crazy it may sound, and go for it like there’s no turning back. That’s how champions are made.
• Look on the bright side: When E makes a super-suit for little baby Jack-Jack (who hadn’t yet revealed his superpowers), his mother, Elastigirl, says, "Jack-Jack doesn’t have any powers." And E’s reply is, "No? Well, he’ll look fabulous anyway."

Words are useless, darling! Gobble, gobble, gobble!

Planning has its time, but action is key. As E said,

Luck favors the prepared.

And yet, when the rubber meets the road, all the planning, theorizing, and talking in the world isn’t going to get you anywhere; you must act. Action is the liberator of intention, the champion of your thoughts.

Yes, words are useless. Gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble, gobble! Too much of it, darling. Too much! That is why I show you my work. That is why you are here.

Never forget to act. It is in the arena of action that your mettle gets proven, that your brilliance will be realized, and your goals and dreams fulfilled.

Now Go! Fight! Win! And call me when you get back, darling. I enjoy our visits.

Image via Wikipedia.

© Adam for Adam Kayce, 2008. | Permalink | 5 comments