It was the Jewish mystic Hillel who first created the maxim:

If I don’t do it, who will?

If I don’t do it now, when will I?

If I do it for myself, what am I?

With these three short phrases he summarised the essence of what it takes to live a life of purpose.

“If I don’t do it, who will”suggests that each of us take personal responsibility to tackle our challenges. Is always good to ask for help but it starts with you.

“If I don’t do it now, when then?” points towards the transitoriness of life. Time marches on and no one knowns we will die. Why are we waiting? We often joke that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. Taking action keeps us moving forward. Small steps, every day.

“If I do it for myself, what am I?” suggests that happiness and fulfilment come from doing for others. Like Kierkegaard who said “the door to happiness opens outwards” the extent to which we add value to people around us is directly related to our experience of meaning.

So, if you feel a bit disconnected from your essence right now, try apply this maxim on yourself. These are the types of conversations we have in coaching sessions or on our journeys to the Tibetan community in India. Book a coaching session now or join our next trip to India from 21 to 31 March 2019. We travel through Delhi and also visit the Taj Mahal and Golden Temple on our way to Dharamsala.

R39,500 include all flights, all accommodation three meals per day, all local transfers and entrance fees, the lot. Contact me if you know of anyone interested. We journey is registered with the SA Board of People Practices and participants qualify for 60 CPD points.