Here's a great Thanksgiving exercise worth doing annually.
Take out a clean sheet of paper, and write the following at the top: My Personal Board Of Directors.
In the middle of the page, draw an oval to represent a large conference room table. Print your own name at one end of the table. Around this table, print the names of six or seven others who currently influence you the most, in a positive way. They may be living or deceased. They may be people you have not met, such as authors, media personalities, sports figures, or musicians. They may be people you've known for decades. These are the voices you turn to, listen to, and learn the most from. These are the voices you take seriously when you want counsel, ideas, motivation, companionship, guidance, or a boost of confidence.
Now write a short description by each name that identifies the reason he or she is on your Personal Board of Directors. For example, “He always makes time for me,” or, “She never makes me feel like my ideas won't work.”
Finally, write a short personal note to at least one of your Personal Board Members (a living one), or a phone call, thanking this person, letting him/her know that he/she is on your Personal Board of Directors, and why.
I was taught this great exercise by Kathy Koch, Founder of Celebrate Kids, Inc. (http://www.celebratekids.com/). With her permission, I have shared it with many others over the years.
Several of my Personal Board Members have been at my table for more than 35 years. My wife has been on my Personal Board for over 45 years!
What a difference these people have made in my life. They are the friends I cannot afford to live without.
Who is on your Personal Board of Directors? Maybe you cannot limit it to six or seven. Get a bigger piece of paper. Thank one or two of them today, and be sure to let them know why they are on your Board. You will be glad you did, and they will be glad, too. It will be a Thanksgiving gift to treasure.
One more question: Did you include Jesus on your Personal Board?
He's been on mine for 58 years.
Thank you, Lord!
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| John Taylor (left) and Bill Laney (right) have been on my Personal Board of Directors for 35+ years. |