NECESSITY

"If necessity is the mother of invention, conflict is its father." — Kenneth Kaye

We often focus so much attention on what we want to do or what we think is important, all the while missing what is truly most important.

Consider these important questions:

1. "What are the possibilities?"
2. "What do I want to do?'
3. "What can I do?"

The first questions is a curiosity question, giving us a wider perspective of our circumstances.

The second question is a clarity question, affirming our desires in context with reality.

The third question is a confidence question, affirming our abilities (or affirming what we most need to learn to do that which we desire).

But there is a fourth question, and I believe it is a critical one: "What is necessary?"

This last question is a moral question, a value question, and an encouraging question.

It's a moral question because if something is necessary then it is a moral obligation.

It's a value question because if something is necessary then it's in alignment with our values and therefore a valuable use of our time.

And it is an encouraging question because if we must to do something then it must therefore be possible. We will never be required to do something that is outside of our capabilities. While we may not be currently able to do something, if it is required of us then we are fully empowered to figure out how to do it by gaining the appropriate knowledge and skills.

Success will only be achieved when we tend to our true responsibilities by doing what is sincerely necessary. The Magic Word Necessity reminds us of this important question: What will you do today that is necessary for your personal growth and development?

REFLECTION

1. Reflect on your activities from the past week and identify how each one contributes to your Intention Statement (your main objective, your passion, your legacy, etc.). Actually take the time to quantify your response, on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being an activity that you shouldn't even be doing, a 2 is a menial task that could be hired out, a 3 is something that can you can do but others can do better so it's best to delegate it, a 4 is an activity that brings you joy, and a 5 is an activity that brings you joy AND directly contributes to your passion. 
2. What's not on this list that should be? Where are the holes in your daily schedule? I call this the "leaky bucket." Do you have a leaky bucket? Are you days holding all the really important activities?
3. Identify 1 activity that you need to stop doing, whether by delegating it, or simply letting it fall away.