“If we were to sit down together, three years from now, what would have to happen to make you feel happy, successful, and fulfilled?”

“If we were to sit down together, three years from now, what would have to happen to make you feel happy, successful, and fulfilled?”

– Dan Sullivan, founder of Strategic Coach

The question above from Dan Sullivan, the founder and coaching pioneer of the Strategic Coach® program, is fundamental to the program’s considerable success.

Once you begin answering this question for yourself, you will discover the leverage it provides for a more expansive and rewarding life. Of course, you will need to continually break your existing behaviors and habits to pursue such a future.

Exercise:

Ask yourself this question, or better yet, have a coach or committed friend, colleague, or family member ask it of you.

Once you have provided your initial answer, follow it up by asking “what else?” three to five times, to dig even deeper.

You can’t help someone get up a hill without getting closer to the top yourself.

“You can’t help someone get up a hill without getting closer to the top yourself.”

– H. Norman Schwarzkopf, US Army General

Image of a team of mountain climbers

Image from Unsplash by Diogo Tavares

When I was a young boy, my mother would always tell my sister to take me with her. I liked being with the big kids, and I really liked feeling included.

Today, I focus much of my life on helping others grow both professional and personally. Through this process, I’ve had the great fortune of meeting many wonderful people, and have gained much satisfaction through my efforts. I also found that I too got “closer to the top” in the priority areas of my own life.

Exercise:

Where could you advise, mentor, or coach others in your life?

How can you expect to benefit through your generosity and care?