Will I, Won’t I?

You rarely have time for everything you want in this life, so you have to make choices. And hopefully your choices can come from a deep sense of who you are. (Fred Rogers)

It’s taken me a while to get around to this, and as time is not on my side, it’s well overdue – my own criteria for what I want to do in the world. The inspiration comes, of course, from Patti Digh and her book Life Is A Verb.

So here’s how I’m going to choose. And if any project, activity or work meets four or more, then it’s a goer. If not, I’ll probably pass, thanks very much.

• Can I make a real contribution? Is there a need for my skills? Will I make a difference?
• Will it stretch me? Is it edgy? Will it contribute to my continued learning?
• Is there an opportunity to build capacity, and transfer my skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to others?
• Will it enable me to make money and provide for the future?
• Is there an opportunity to travel to new or interesting places?
• Will I be with cool people, especially friends? Will I potentially make new friends, and build existing relationships?
• Will I have fun?
• Am I excited by the prospect?