'People don't rise from nothing.  We owe something to parentage and patronage.' 
 
He further provides the analogy of the tallest oak tree in the forest.  Yes, there's the organic fact that the tree grew from a pretty hardy acorn.  But, that alone wasn't enough to assure its place as the tallest oak tree in the forest.   Some other factors that need to be acknowledged are:  no other trees blocked its sunlight, the soil around it was deep and rich, no animals chewed through its bark as a sapling, and there were no lumberjacks working in that particular forest during its lifetime. 
 
 
One of the most powerful leadership exercises I have done and encourage my clients to do is what is called the
'gratitude deposit' exercise.  

 

 Its simple....can take very little time....and yields an astounding (ROI) return on your investment.
 
Take a few moments to think about yourself as the acorn referenced above (smart, ambitious, loving, and talented).  Think about the soil in which you were planted (your family, your hometown, your neighborhood).  Spend some time identifying the influences around you that nurtured and encouraged your development.  Identify some influences that perhaps simply stayed out of your way - didn't block your sunlight.  For some, it is worthwhile to look at this from another perspective as well, perhaps there were those who 'chewed on your bark' and served to toughen you up in ways that have served you well in your life and career.   
 
Now, identify two people who played key roles in enabling you to become your version of the 'tallest oak tree'.
(your mom? Your dad? Your spouse or partner? A friend? A teacher? A boss? A former stranger? )

Try to put into a word or two SPECIFICALLY what they did for you and how it DIRECTLY impacted your life's path:  inspired, empowered, recognized, comforted, encouraged, pushed, taught, guided, loved...etc.

Now, make a gratitude deposit:  TELL THEM

Keep it simple (or else you'll likely get distracted and it won't happen)....a quick email, a text message....or simply forward this newsletter to them with two words ahead of it ....'thank you'.   

 

Ken Sychtwald, in his book With Purpose, says the key to lasting happiness requires you to

 

 'find your core strengths and figure out how to deploy them'.

Let those two people know that they helped you do that.