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| Business |
 MAKING
A DIFFERENCE - PART 2By Iqbal Barkat Ali & Bathyah Charikar You are invited to find and fulfill your purpose… to make a difference, to make a contribution to the physical world of creation and to your spiritual, eternal self. That is what we offered in the first half of this article published in the September/October issue. In this second half, we consider the areas of life where you can make a difference, how you can identify the contribution that you want to make, and the ways in which you can build your legacy. When we think of making a difference, we often think of the community. With the countless causes, needs, and societal concerns around us, it is natural to be drawn into them. However, we also need to consider the other areas of life in order to leave a balanced legacy: work, significant other, family, friends, and your Self. Work is an area where we spend many hours each day and it provides opportunities to make a difference. What contribution do you want to make in your field? How would your co-workers and customers describe their experience of you? Better yet, how do you want them to? Making a positive contribution in the personal relationships with your significant other, family, and friends is important, not only for their lives, but also for yours. It offers a sense of emotional balance that makes life complete. And let us not forget your contribution to your Self. Before you can effectively care for and contribute to others, you must remember to contribute to the care and growth of your physical and eternal self. Making mindful, conscious choices about the contribution that you want to make in the various areas of your life is key. For the contribution to be meaningful, significant, and satisfying to you, it needs to reflect who you are and what is important to you. In other words, your legacy and your life must revolve around your values. Connecting with who you are and your values is the starting point for fulfilling your life's purpose. If you do not know who you are, what you believe in, and what you stand for, it is easy to be pulled and swayed in every direction other than your own unique path. Every one of us has been given specific gifts in the form of special talent, knowledge, and/or wealth. Our values provide us with the wisdom to choose how to make the best use of these gifts. There are many ways that can help bring your values to light. Imagining your actions and reactions in certain telling situations is one of them. For example: If you were granted the gift of one million dollars to be given away as you wished, who or what cause would you give it to? When you engage in meaningful discussions about life with those you trust, what do you talk about? If you were invited to be a guest speaker at a graduation ceremony, what would you say? If you had 5 years to live, how/with whom would you spend your time? What do these experiences tell you about what is important to you? The answers may not come easily. But, each time you reflect on these questions, you will gain further insight. When you know your values, you can then decide what contribution you want to make in each area of your life. The key is to focus on what you feel strongly about. Once you know the contribution that you want to make, you can start building your legacy. Legacies are built one day at a time, through actions, interactions with others, and personal behaviour that is congruent with one's values. Legacies evolve through a kind word, a helping hand, and a presence that appreciates and is appreciated by others. Think and feel carefully about how you want to be remembered by those in your personal and professional lives. The way you are, what you say, and what you do has an impact on those around you. What will you do/say and what example will you set to make your unique contribution with each passing day? The process of uncovering, living, and leaving your personal and professional legacy is an ongoing and worthwhile endeavor. It is a journey that offers the opportunity to honour your unique reason for being and experience the satisfaction that comes from... making a difference. Iqbal Barkat Ali, MBA, CHRP, & Bathyah Charikar are facilitate workshops at Mount Royal College and in the corporate environment. Contact Iqbal at 403.208.4744. |