My Answers to the 10 Power Questions for Personal Creativity and Fulfillment

1. When am I most naturally myself? What people, places and activities allow me to feel most fully myself?

A. I am most naturally myself when I’m with people who are reciprocal conversationalists, who are inquisitive about new ideas and life, people who are “comfortable in their own skin.” The places that enhance my natural self are retreats from civilization—the mountains, outdoors, cabins, and open spaces. The activities that bring out the fullness of myself include: wine tastings—because wine helps people (and me) gradually take down their guard, stop posing and be themselves; painting with watercolors—because I feel God’s pleasure when painting; and reciprocal community.

I do not fully enjoy (although I am often forced to put up with) people who always “one-up” stories, who mostly talk about themselves, who are needy, and are not inquisitive.

2. What is one thing I could stop doing, or start doing, or do differently, starting today that would most improve my quality of life?

A. This is a very personal question. Here is the portion I can talk about publicly. My personality spirals quickly to the negative about things with which I disagree—and I tend to be verbal and verbose about them.  I also feel extremely compelled to confront leaders who are corrupt, shallow and judgmental. While I understand that as a leader and influencer, I must correct and confront, my quality of life would greatly improve if I choose those battles wisely and less often.

3. What is my greatest talent?

A. Encouraging others to be everything they are created to be.

4. How can I get paid for doing what I love?

A. I do. But taking the plunge and leaving a very successful career to do what I love took the greatest leap of faith of my entire life.

5. Who are my most inspiring role models?

A. John Adams, Harry Truman, Jesus Christ, Billy Ray Hearn, Dr. Luke Boyd, and Mother Teresa to name only a few.

6. How can I best be of service to others?

A. By being a true friend in every sense of the word (by that I mean emulating the words of Emerson and Montaigne about friendship) and by encouraging and mentoring influencers.

7. What is my heart’s deepest desire?

A. To be loved, respected, cherished and influenced by my immediate family.

8. How am I perceived by: my closest friend, my worst enemy, my boss, my children, my co-workers, etc.?

My closest friend: As a “real” person.

My worst enemy: As a threat.

My boss: N/A

My children: Questioning the status-quo, searching, passionate.

My co-workers: In my previous career—In 360 degree evaluations, my co-workers have described me as a risk-taker and perfectionist who believes in fun, teamwork and truth-telling.

9. What are the blessings of my life?

A. First and foremost: Family. Secondarily, freedom, grace, unconditional love and somewhat functional parents .

10. What legacy would I like to leave?

A. A good (not perfect) husband, father, mentor, friend, dreamer and creative.

Have you taken time to write down your answers?

These questions are from from p.60 How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day by Michael J. Gelb

12 responses to “My Answers to the 10 Power Questions for Personal Creativity and Fulfillment”

  1. Glenn Lavender Avatar
    Glenn Lavender

    Randy you make me want to read that book again. It is so good!! Reading your first answer made me think of a Brian Regan comedy sketch instantly about being at a dinner party with the “me monster”. Here’s a link for a good laugh. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QvSoRQrVJg

    1. Randy Avatar
      Randy

      @Glenn Lavender, Yes, Glenn, Michael hyatt showed me that video. It is hilarious and very, very true. Thanks!!

  2. Ani Avatar
    Ani

    I wasn’t supposed be on internet anymore. I’ve decided a few weeks ago to be offline from Friday evening till Mondaymorning. It works fine this way for me. But sometimes blogs like yours just squeeze in and I can’t resist to check.

    No I haven’t answered them all. I didn’t know that was the question in your other post. I like your answers. I also like that you don’t mind people to be inquisitive. Because I’m like that. Actually I always say I’m curious but hey, who cares it’s that I ask always questions and like to know a lot about something or someone and learn about them.

    I so totally understand you on #2. That’s me. Can’t stand injustice and if I say something about it they talk about me. They say it was my fault because I said something about it. But in the end I said what the most of them wanted to say but didn’t have the courage to say it out loud afraid what people might say. Well, that is another problem. I don’t have that problem. I learned not to care about what the world thinks. Whatever I do or say it’s never right. My mum never told me to be careful what I do because people might talk. No, my mum always told me to do what I want to do because people will talk anyway and that has always been my experience.

    It’s amazing you get paid for doing what you love. I don’t get paid but that is alright. You can’t have it all. And I still have an amazing life. I thought about the questions and remember my friends at a course of gifts and talents that they found me very encouraging. So maybe that’s my talent. I don’t know. I know everyone wants to come to my house or call me to talk to me and share their story with me. Hmmmm, maybe I should do something with that.

    I wonder: now you know all this, what are you going to do with it? Just wondering. And did you use this list also with your mentorgroup? I’m thinking maybe to use it with my friends and a group I join. It might encourage them and maybe they find out what their talents are and what to let go and what to start? A lot of questions I know, but you’re used to it by now, right?

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Ani, Thanks so much, Ani. Yes, hopefully I am using this in my everyday life now. And yes, several years ago, our mentoring group went through these questions. Thanks!

  3. Cassandra Frear Avatar

    I seem to encounter this issue with a few word press blogs. The RSS feed on other word press blogs works for me and Blogger blogs work for me almost all the time. I am coming to your blog through Google Chrome and I use a Google Reader.

  4. Kyle Reed Avatar

    I wrote them down but have been procrastinating to answer them. I think I am a little afraid, but thanks for putting these out here. It gives me courage.

    I struggle with what you said in answer numer 2 as well.
    I am really bad at that.
    I feel there is a wrong that needs to be made right and if I do not say anything no one else will.
    For others it just comes off as complaining, for me it comes off as a cry out towards something that is wrong.

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Kyle Reed, Yes, take courage and answer them! Thanks, Kyle, for your transparency. Yes, #2 is a challenge.

  5. Culpepper Avatar
    Culpepper

    These questions are hard to answer. I’m going to need some time to reflect and make sure that I answer honestly and not the way I want the answers to sound.

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Culpepper, Yes, indeed. A thoughtful response to each question will yield important results.

  6. Cassandra Frear Avatar

    This is a great post. I think I will take on the 10 Question challenge. Today.

    By the way, I tried to get the RSS feed into my Google Reader. When I click on the RSS button, I just get a page of html. I’m not sure why that is, or what I should do about it — if anything.

    Ideas?

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Cassandra Frear, I’m glad you are taking the “challenge!” You are the second person to tell me about RSS issue. It works fine for me.. Can anyone tell me more about the RSS issue?