When you are on purpose, you mysteriously attract new resources to aid your efforts and discover new ways to use what you already possess.

This is the fourth installment of a five part series, as we are learning to live Off Balance On Purpose (OBOP). OBOP is not only a philosophy for living, but also a process for refocusing your efforts and gaining control during times of turmoil, chaos, or confusion. As you read these messages, it's up to you to provide the context, based on your own personal experience and the challenges you are presently facing.

If you are just joining the series or would like to review the previous editions, click the active links. The five steps of Off Balance On Purpose are:

1. Own Your Reality
2. Seek Your Purpose
3. Lean Forward
4. Leverage Your Resources
5. Follow Through

Remember that this process is one that you can apply to answer life's BIG questions, such as "Why am I here?", "What should I be doing with my life?", or"How can I reclaim my confidence and motivation?"

But OBOP is also a day-to-day, moment-to-moment approach to utilize your time and keep your focus on the next positive steps you can take. With practice and repetition, you will develop the habit of quickly assessing Off Balance situations and choosing Purposeful action.

Step Four: Leverage Your Resources

Last month we left you "leaning forward," and you'll remember I used the analogy of a riding a six foot unicycle to illustrate this concept: throwing yourself off balance is necessary in order to make forward progress. To refresh your memory, take a glance at the photo to your right.

If this resembles your current life situation, as many of you tell me it does, then you understand both the excitement and uncertainty that goes along with bold action.

But to move forward and avoid crashing to the floor, you must start pedaling and steering, and do so quickly! In other words, you must use your physical and mental resources in an intelligent and efficient manner.

In your life, you must also identify and learn to leverage the resources you have available to you. Your assets are powerful and abundant, and the more you realize that, the more they multiply to aid your purposeful efforts.

Your resources include your skills, relationships, money, time, energy, reputation, experiences (both successes and and hardships), ideas, questions, and answers. We all have these resources. Some areas are strong, others may be lacking. The question: Do you utilize them?

You must apply what you have most of in a way that combines creative thought with connected purpose. That means more than "using" your strengths. It means getting the most from them. Now, that's leverage.

My definition of leverage in this context means you are able to gain additional power through the intelligent application of force or, in other words, by taking strategic action. It is a way of coordinating and combining your skills, your relationships, your energy, your time, and other resources, so that they feed off of one another. And the real leverage comes from connecting your purpose directly to the resources available, realizing greater meaning and value in the assets of your life.

Into Action

1. Identify your resources. In each of the categories I mentioned above, assess your resources. Make a thorough list of what you have. What are your most unique and valuable attributes? Plan to build on your strengths and most original qualities.

2. Focus on purpose. Make your strengths more valuable by remembering "why" you are pursuing your goal or following a course of action. Purpose should really drive the process, dictating how you should direct or combine your resources.

3. Ask for Help. The most successful and happiest people are those who have learned that they do not have to do it alone. When you exhibit a willingness to put forth your own effort, you earn the respect of others and increase the likelihood that they will be willing to support you. When you share your purpose in a clear and compelling way, you will be amazed at the support you can marshall and the resources you can attract.

4. Help others. What do you have to offer the world? What is the most helpful way to deliver it to one person, or to many? In what way do your resources provide the greatest benefit to those around you? When you help others, you ultimately receive more of what you desire.

5. Manage your energy. You cannot manufacture more time in your day, but you can create more energy. Leverage is about efficiency and thoughtful application. Start mastering this skill by learning to manage your personal energy level. Don't waste physical or mental energy on unimportant or destructive issues. Add fuel to your reserves by exercising, eating healthy foods and drinking lots of water. Staying hydrated will increase your energy level substantially and immediately. Make the best of rest, and allow yourself sufficient sleep. Take pauses at key moments to focus your thoughts, breathe, and rebound with greater resilience. Be selective about the way you choose to invest your internal power.

Even when your resources may be woefully depleted, they are not exhausted; there is always something you can do. When you are shaken or thrown dramatically off your game plan, honestly assess what you do have to work with, and then take the next purposeful, positive action.

Discover your resources. Build on your strengths. Strengthen your weaknesses by improving your skills, or by building relationships with people who complement your talents with theirs. Then, put those resources into action with a direct connection to your purpose, and experience the leverage that comes from knowing what you want, why you want it, and what you have (resources) to get you there.

As always, I invite you to share your insights and questions with me. I promise I will respond personally. Next month it's time to "Follow Through" and finish what we started... together!

Until then, live boldly with purpose!

With encouragement always,

Dan

Need some help finding your purpose? This book will help!

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Success in Action

The Direct Path to your Higher Potential

by Dan Thurmon

Action Press, Hardcover, 272 pages