Be Challenged & Lead On with Anupama(Part 4): A Life That Matters!

I came across the book "Intentional Living" and decided to find out what this was all about. I was under the impression till then that I was living my life with good intentions each day. What I learned from studying the book in depth was that there is a difference between Good Intentions and Intentional Living, I knew this already... what I did not understand well was about the difference between Intentional Living and Living A Life That Matters!

So you might ask... what do I mean?

Take a look at this table with a list of words that describes all 3 of these terms:

Good Intentions ==> Intentional Living ==> A Life That Matters

I realized that I was in between 1st and 2nd Column... Having a lot of good intentions and sometimes living intentionally, hoping that someday that would lead to a life that matters. I used to think that I should do my best wherever I am placed or whatever I am assigned to work on. I decided to take RESPONSIBILITY of my life and it put me in control of my life. One of the reasons successful people are successful is that they see and seize opportunities.

I got more involved with the local chapter for Project Management Institute and started volunteering my time to add value to other project managers. In 2019, I decided to become a Public Speaker and decided to be part of the Toastmasters International organization and was a Charter Member for Fair Lawn Toastmasters Club.

As a Club Officer in the role of a VPPR (Vice President of Public Relations), I was instrumental in helping promote our newly founded club in our community and create awareness in our surrounding towns using social media. We decided to work as a team to become President's Distinguished Club in our first year itself and we did it.

I took responsibility to participate in the Toastmasters International Speech Contest representing our Club in District 83 and won 1st Place at the Area 91 Speech Contest, 1st Place at the Division Contest and became the 3rd Place Winner at the District Contest. I had great mentors like Manda Pasarkar, DTM William Markert Margarita Estrada Donna Hook, Public Speaking Coach who challenged me along the way and helped me become a better version of myself as a Speaker and a Toastmaster.

The way you take control of the direction in your life is to take responsibility of yourself and your everyday action. People who embrace responsibility and take control of their lives see dramatic results. It is time for you to take control of your life before someone else does. Can you control everything in your life? Of course not. But you can choose to control what you can.

I remind myself to be patient and let my faith take control of my thoughts and that gives me the sense of peace as I say the Serenity Prayer when I come across a situation that I cannot control:

How are you living a life that matters? What steps do you need to take to be in control of the direction your life is taking? Who is holding you accountable or mentoring/coaching you along the way?

I am privileged to be part of a community of leaders from various organizations who have become my mentors and accountability partners. Next week I am attending an annual Leadership Conference and will be reconnecting with many of my coaches and mentors from the Maxwell Leadership organization.

I had the honor to be in the room in August 2023 and here is a glimpse on the day I arrived!

I want to encourage you to find a place where you can serve and be served, I have found my place within all these organizations that I am a member of.

Next time I will share with you a little bit about The Law Of The Mirror: You Must See Value In Yourself To Add Value To Yourself.

Personally, I am continually investing in myself and my journey of Success has become a Journey Of Significance. I am no longer waiting for someone else to do something, I am taking the Initiative to take Action and I have been seeing Results. So will you... when you start Living A Life That Matters!

I am ready to learn from great leaders at the International Maxwell Conference (IMC) and we have a Session open to general public - check out https://day2grow.maxwellleadership.com/ to join us.

Don't forget to come take a selfie with me... I will be volunteering as a Team Ambassador at the IMC and cheering one of my friends who just got selected as a StageTime Finalist to speak on the Maxwell Stage this year.

Take RESPONSIBILITY and it will get you Ready for ACTION!