Below are my notes and questions I used for the Lead$ Summit today at the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce.  Use these notes to help you “retool” for the New Year!  Feel free to leave comments below.

Retool

 Presented by:  Kevin Jacobs, CFP®, EA

Owner of Step By Step Financial, LLC

 Definition of Character

• “The ability to meet the demands of reality.”
  • Dr. Henry Cloud, Integrity, pg. 24

Aspects of Character

• “The ability to connect authentically (which leads to trust).”
• “The ability to be oriented toward the truth (which leads to finding and operating in reality).”
• The ability to work in a way that gets results and finishes well (which leads to reaching goals, profits or the mission).”
• The ability to embrace, engage, and deal with the negative (which leads to ending problems, resolving them or transforming them).”
• The ability to be oriented toward growth (which leads to increase).”
• The ability to be transcendent (which leads to enlargement of the bigger picture and oneself).”
  • Dr. Henry Cloud, Integrity, pg. 35

http://www.drcloud.com/index-5.html

 With knowing the definition of character, now we can progress at evaluating our life and retooling for the future.

General

• Are there things you want to do that you haven’t done yet?
• What is not working in your life?
• Is your life in balance? 
• Do you have enough leisure time, vacations, travel, hobbies, and fun in your life?
• What is your “top ten” list and what are you doing do achieve them?
• What are 10 things you most love doing?
• Are there any big adventures you want to have?

 Physical

• How’s your health?  Are there changes you want to make?
• Do you want to reduce stress or increase your level of fitness?

 Educational

• Are there areas of personal growth that you would like to pursue?
• Is there a degree or professional designation you want to receive?  What steps are you taking to achieve it?

 Social

• Are you as involved as you would like in your community?
• Are your friendships what you would like them to be, in terms of both quality and quantity?

 Vocational / Business

• Are you happy in your current career or profession?
• Is it rewarding for you?
• Do you want to increase your income?
• Is your business profitable?
• Do you want to start a business?
• Are there planning or marketing ideas you would like to pursue for your business?
• Are you working a reasonable number of hours?
• Have you set your 2011 business activity and income goals?

 Financial

• What priority does money take in your life? 
• What are you building wealth for?
• How much do you need?
• Are there changes you would like to make in your income, expenses, cash flow, debt, savings, reserves, emergency funds, investing, taxes, or net worth, for example?
• Are you making the progress toward your retirement / financial independence that you would like?
• Are there any impending financial decisions that you need to plan for?
• Is college education funding for your children / grandchildren satisfactory?
• Are there any changes or improvements you need to make to your home?
• Is your estate planning up to date?  Are you on track to leave the end-of-life gifts you want to make?
• Have you reviewed your insurances recently?

 Family

• Are there family goals you have – trips, more time together, for instance?
• How is your relationship with your spouse?
• How are your relationships with your children?
• How are your relationships with other family members – siblings, parents, confidants?
• Are your family members taken care of for the future?
• Do the important people in your life know how much you love and care for them? 

 Philanthropy/ Charitable Giving

• Do you want to volunteer more – or differently?
• Are your charitable contributions at the level you would like?
• Are you satisfied with the legacy you plan on leaving?

 Spiritual

• Are there things you want to simplify or consolidate in your life?
• How is your spiritual / religious life?  What can you do to improve it?
• Are there any spiritual growth activities you want to participate in?