There are many ways to live life. Some people focus and build on what they have got in their personal and professional lives. Some people focus on what they haven’t got.
Different people follow these approaches in different ways. The route they take can have consequences for themselves and other people. Let’s explore these approaches.
The Focusing On What
You Have Got Approach
Some people develop this approach early in life. They may have grown-up in a loving family with parents who had sense of gratitude. They may have learned to appreciate what they have rather than be envious of other people.
They may also have had teachers who helped them to build on their strengths and do stimulating projects. They may have been told to become the best they could be rather than compare themselves to others.
Some people develop this approach early in their careers. They may be fascinated by doing satisfying work in health care, wellbeing, hospitality, technology, sales, business or another activity.
They may throw themselves into doing various jobs in their chosen field and get a good grounding. They may then find or create a niche where they can do satisfying work.
Such individuals may then apply their specific strengths as specialists in their chosen field. They may set specific goals, follow strategies that work and deliver success.
Some people focus on what they have got after experiencing a setback. They may do this after losing a job, having an illness or encountering a life-changing event.
Some individuals who have accidents take this approach. They wave aside sympathy and say that other people face much greater challenges. Such a person may say things like:
“I still have my sight, hearing and have great support in my life. I am going to focus on what I can do rather than what I can’t do.”
Some people take a similar approach when reaching a certain point in their lives. They are happy to build on what they have already got rather than worrying about what they have not got.
Let’s return to your own situation. What are the things that you have got in your life? Different people give different answers when exploring this theme. Here are some of the things they may mention.
The Things That I Have Got In My Life Are:
The courage to follow my life principles … My fighting spirit … Wonderful children … An encouraging partner … Being relatively healthy for my age … A financial runway for three months … A lovely house and garden.
The ability to be creative and see opportunities … Several strengths I can use to do satisfying work … A network of people with whom I have a good track record … The desire to help people to achieve success.
Great workers take this approach. They aim to apply their specific talents as gardeners, athletes, craft workers or doing other activities. They then translate these into stimulating projects.
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to describe the following things.
The Focusing On What
You Haven’t Got Approach
Some individuals spend a lot of time worrying about what they don’t have. Sometimes this is understandable – such as when they do not have the basic materials for life. They then need support to be able to shape their future.
Some people become addicted to focusing on what they don’t have. They may become depressed, resentful or jealous of others. This approach does not necessarily help them or other people.
Some people fall into the religion of wanting more. They want more money, possessions, attention, fame, applause or more of other things. These may or may not bring them sustained happiness.
The Building On What
You Have Got Approach
Some people go further than clarifying what they have got. They aim to build on these assets in their personal or professional lives. One approach they take is to focus on a specific activity and aim to do superb work.
Some individuals may do this by simply working by themselves. Some may aim to build on their strengths and, when appropriate, work with others who have complementary skills.
Let’s return to your own life. Can you think of a specific situation where you may want to build on what you have got? What may be the specific goals you want to achieve? How can you do superb work and do your best to achieve success?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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