Why You Need A Personal Board

One constant follows us regardless of our race, residence, wealth or belief. Every day you wake up, one day has gone by. It is a privilege to grow a little older. But it is also a major responsibility.

This made me think hard of what Oscar Wilde said: “With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone”. My mind went wild with all manner of scenarios. One area that I have pondered over time and again is having what I call my ‘Personal Board of Directors’.

As I was thinking about my personal growth, it occurred to me that I have been barking up the worn tree. My goal should have been to focus on the qualities I want to have instead of the people I think should constitute the board! It is about purposeful accountability.

Let us now look at the five key qualities that I have been working to get in my board. They are boldness, optimism, awareness, real, and diligent…

1. Bold

My personal board should show a willingness to take risks, be confident and courageous in my potential and abilities. This boldness will encompass areas that need to be corrected, redirected and re-invented. It is not time to ‘pussy-foot’ around issues.

Together, my board and I will contribute to meaningful existence of our communities.

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

2. Optimistic

Together, we will be hopeful and confident to make goals that stretch us to grow. We shall not be comfortable with status quo. Our eyes are set on ‘business unusual’. We exist in the now to make a great future for others too. 

I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.” ~ Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

3. Aware

Even when we are bold and optimistic, we will remain firmly rooted in the knowledge or perception of our past and present situation. These affect our future in a massive way, whether we acknowledge it or not.

Our aim is to remain firmly grounded in our values. We will remember that we are capable of making mistakes or being wrong. There will be need to keep our eyes on the compass.

The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger–but recognize the opportunity.” ~John F. Kennedy

4. Real

Our work and existence should always point to making the world a better place to be. We will fiercely guard ourselves against the imagined or supposed. This is one very critical quality of my personal board. There is no need wasting time with people who say what I want to hear or just do my bidding.

I want to grow, and grow with them too.

You’re still trying to protect me. Real or not real,” he whispers. “Real,” I answer. “Because that’s what you and I do, protect each other.” ~Suzanne Collins

5. Diligent

Finally, having or showing care and conscientiousness in their work or duties. These are people who will go the extra mile remembering that they are on a serious mission. They will keep an eye on my goals with a hawk eye. Their focus will be to see that I am working at delivering results and making an impact.

Better is possible. It does not take genius. It takes diligence. It takes moral clarity. It takes ingenuity. And above all, it takes a willingness to try.” ~Atul Gawande

If you are going to make significant progress and impact with your personal development, career or business, you need to walk with quality by your side. Take some time out and constitute your own board. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how fun the process is. And the outcome is to die for.

Question: What qualities do you see in your personal board? Click here and share your comment with us.

photo credit: by Joi