Take Responsibility - Future Works Gazette

Send your questions directly to the Greatness Coach!

Making Changes?
Leading Change?
Make Conscious Choices!

Consultations:

He who moves not forward, goes backward.
-	Goethe

Tutorials:

Karen's Quintessential Principle of Greatness
April, 2007

Take Responsibility

In a Hurry?
Print the Gazette Now!!

I finally caught an early spring morning with bright blue skies …the calm before the Nor' Easter comes to town. Breathing in the fresh country air I keep puzzling on why The Secret has garnered tons of interest lately. Drifting back and forth between the sky and the sounds of nature waking up, I wonder why so much hoopla about this repackaged and recycled material?

Read the rest of Karen's Note

Wisdom consists not so much in knowing what to do in the ultimate, as knowing what to do next."
—	Herbert Hoover

It's an early spring evening in Manhattan. My husband and I are driving uptown on Columbus Avenue. All of a sudden a Chrysler silver PT sedan bolts out from a parked space into our lane. We beep just in time. Both of us say out loud, "That was close!" The other driver's face has that look of "Oh my God! What almost happened?!"

I look back as we move forward with the traffic, instead of shock, the driver's face has changed--a new raised eyebrow appears suggesting that some internal gear shifting has taken place. I also notice that she has no turn signal blinking nor headlights shining in my eyes.

Next thing we know this same 50+ woman driver, with Ipod earphones protruding from her head, passes us on the right. As she hits the accelerator, she rolls down her window just long enough to yell out the driver's window: "Are you blind or just stupid?" Then up goes the window as she speeds off smug with righteousness, still with no lights on and unable to hear any street noise. My husband turns to me and says: Now that's not taking responsibility!

What does this have to do with me or those I serve?

The first step to greatness is the willingness to be responsible.
—	W.Churchill

Taking Responsibility has many applications and implications for each of us and all of us collectively. It's not just global issues like global warming or worldwide hunger that call us to task, but our everyday responsibility for those we serve, for our own daily actions and planning for our future.

Read complete feature: Take Responsibility

Make an investment in Greatness!

I received this month's recommendation from a subscriber:

Saw a wonderful program on PBS Frontline the other night. This young American couple have started a financing program for the public to fund people's businesses in poor countries. It was so inspiring. Their website is www.kiva.org.

I just knew they'd be perfect for your Gazette. Just the thought of taking, say, $500 and loaning it to one person and then when that person pays it back (and is self supporting) you could take that money and reinvest it in another person. I can't think of a better return! .better return! ~D. Sloane-Houston, Texas

Need I say more? Please do as I did, check out this wonderful example of Greatness in Action! Here's an excerpt from their mission statement:

We let you loan to the working poor

Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. By choosing a business on Kiva.org, you can "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

You're Invited: Become a leader for a greater tomorrow. Write me about what you're doing to Take Responsibility in your life, workplace and the world at Widening the Circle. If you are so moved, please include your recommendations to share with other readers.

Professor’s Violent Death Came Where He Sought Peace

Read the Greatness in the News story!

When was the last time you reviewed your planning process?

Have you locked yourself into a corner or have you planned for multiple options?

Putting the 80-20 Rule to work for you!
— Use this tool to put your footsteps in the sands of time!!

Get your complete copy of April's Greatness Tools & Tips

Get healthy for greatness!

Get visible now!

Get your message out on the web!

Reading this directory? Then why not put your ad here?

Manage your email preferences

You are receiving this ezine either because you have signed up for it, written to me, or a friend thought you would enjoy our ezine. I welcome you. Please accept this as my complimentary Greatness Gift.

Note: Your email address and personal information will be kept strictly CONFIDENTIAL and will NOT be shared with any other party or mailing list. Read our detailed Membership & Mailing List Policy

Please make sure to add "KarenSands@FutureWorksGazette.com" and "KS@FutureWorksInstitute.com" to your address book in your e-mail program so I don't get sent into the ethers. Be sure to send me your preferred email address so you don't miss out on any of my complimentary issues.

Change your email address or take your name off of the list for the Future Works® Gazette.