Robin Sharma The Leader Who Had No Title
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I purchased this book about a week ago and I am currently reading it. This is not a large book but I am taking my time going through it. Unusual for me, as I am a speed reader and rush through my books. This time I felt the need to really take the time and focus on what Robin had written. In fact, even rereading some chapters.

Today, I had the opportunity to listen to Robin on a Webnair hosted by Richard Robbins. As I was listening, I felt the need to take copious notes and then to write about what I personally was going to do with the material.

Robin has a quote that hit home with me. “Each of us is born into genius and die in mediocrity”. We fall in love with our fears. I am extremely lucky to have some delightful five year old children in my life. They are teaching me every day. When they wake up in the morning, they are full of passion for life. They can do anything and there are no limits to what they want to achieve. Last year, Sydney wanted to drive a pink Zamboni and Abby wanted to be a Doctor. This year, it changes on a regular basis but not because of any limitiations that they have put on themselves.

Why do we not reach our genius levels? As Robin points out, as we go through childhood, we are told to “Not dream too big”. “You don’t have the IQ to be a genius.” “You will never be able to do that.” We set up our belief systems to be “ordinary”. We sit watching TV in the suburbs and stop stretching. What happened to our dreams of driving that pink zamboni?

We start to be content and comfortable but never satisfied. Our dreams become, “someday”. Someday when the kids are gone I will take that trip. There is never the “right” time. If we wait for it that right time will never come.

What am I personally going to do as my action plan?

First, I am going to finish the book this week. Instead of “scanning” over the contents I am going to “apply” what I read to my life. I am not going to lose sight of the mountain and my dreams. Call it my Bucket List, my Dream List, the name doesn’t matter.

Second, I am going to find out what is really important to someone else and make that important to me. I loved what Robin said, “that in order to build our relationships we must know what is important to others and then make it as important to us.” Maybe, I also need to let those around me know what is important to me! Do they really know how important travelling is to me? Do they really understand that having a worthwhile cause for me to work for is essential for me to be satisfied?

Third, I am going to work on not allowing Technology to be a distraction. I firmly believe that we are sometimes busy just being busy. I know that personally, I do my best planning when I am either at the gym or early in the morning when there are no distractions. I always like Richard Robbins theory, “You must control your business, don’t let the business control you.” Scheduling a time for personal affairs and family time is paramount. Think, why are you really working?

Fourth, but definitely to me the most important. I am going to write down the Five things that I need to have happen between now and the end of my life to be satisfied. I have a pretty good idea of what they are now but I am going to work on them in the next few days and then make all of my goals around them. When you really think about it, none of us knows when that time will come. It is time to start working on it TODAY! Stay tuned as I will share them.

Get the book and share your impressions. I hope you get as much out of it as I did!