800-CEO-READ Excerpts

Sometimes, wake-up calls come in the form of a dramatic life even such as the birth of a child, a death in the family, or an unexpected change in job. Other times, wake-up calls are more subtle and come as a result of gradual changes in life or work, or as a result of a combination of a few, seemingly minor, alterations to a familiar lifestyle. Monitoring the big—as well as the smaller—changes in work or personal life is a way to stay tuned in to our own wake-up calls, and to have more control over our present as well as our future. Consider the following examples of common wake-up calls. Have you experienced any of these in the recent past, or are you experiencing them now? Are there other, more subtle, life events not on the list that could be a wake up call for you?

Recently I have experienced:

• Divorce or separation


• Move to a new home


• Death in the family or support network
• Promotion
• Significant medical diagnosis
• Physical injury
• Significant loss of physical capacity
• Anniversary of a significant event
• Car accident
• Marriage
• Significant job change
• Job loss
• Birth of a child
• Significant financial loss or gain
• Life cycle changes (children leaving home, etc.)
• Significant success or failure in a project
• Change in the amount/type of medication
• Significantly more time away from home (e.g., travel for work)
• Significantly less quality time with family or friends
• Important new relationship (love, friendship, boss)
• Noticeable gain or loss of weight
• A sense of boredom or frustration with life or work
• World events that have impacted me personally (psychologically or otherwise)
• Disruption or dissatisfaction with an important relationship (spouse, child, friend boss)
• Completion of a major project
• Change in lifelong habits (e.g., exercise spiritual practice, hobbies)