The $1m Self — Assessment
“Above all, it is necessary for a person to have a true self-estimate, for we commonly think we can do more than we really can.” Ignacio Nieto Carvajal
It seems a hopeful enough Dream to want for the riches of the World, having an altruistic purpose and firing all energy into a Plan that could possibly work — that’s the Forever Optimist in me.
But my Instincts always remind me that before any great mission, it is wise to assess our own capacity, capabilities, strengths, weaknesses and blind spots. Sun Tzu would probably smile at the obvious.
And this is where I have developed my own unique framework, based on a traditional Māori view of life called ‘Te Whare Tapa Whā’, where the whole is divided into 4 parts — the Body (Taha Tinana), the Mental & Emotional (Taha Hinengaro), the Spiritual (Taha Wairua) and the Family (Taha Whanau).
So with that, let’s start picking each piece apart, give them a good once over, figure out what we need to do to improve before we’ve even taken the first step and then add that to the overall Plan.
The Body — Taha Tinana
Well to be honest, the last few years have sure taken its toll.
Not to say I was the perfect specimen in the past but I was able to do far more physically a few years ago that I don’t seem to spring too today. And it’s not age. No. It’s spending hours talking with others in small rooms, then turning that talk into action, with much of that being done online.
My food intake is way better than it used to be but can always be improved and I’m still lean as a rake, which doesn’t really bother me (others always want me to be fatter so feed me lolz). I do need to put on a few more kg’s and cut back on the bad sh*t.
Sleep is my #5 fav thing to do so it’s just in keeping regular hours and maintaining a better fitness, food and sleep schedule this year.
As it stands, I give myself a 6/10 which is important to note as I don’t want to fail half way through the mission due to fitness, injury or sickness and worse, DO make $1m and then DIE the very next day. What a waste of time that would be!
6/10 with lots of room for improvement
My Mental & Emotional Wellbeing — Taha Hinengaro
Now I’m glad to be conducting my own Self Assessment as I’m sure others might not be so kind hahaa.
What keeps me going is a lifetime of being told I couldn’t, I shouldn’t and I wouldn’t.
Being the eldest in a tribal society has it’s own set of challenges but most young people struggle to find their own path regardless of where we come from.
I do have family but not everyone was supportive.
I do have friends but not all of them understood where I came from, what I was going through at that time nor where I was heading too in the future.
I think it is during my early, formative years where I understood who I was and figured out some of what I was capable of.
With that, I like to think that my mental health is ok and my emotional wellbeing is holding which is enough to know that for now I’m fine but will need the support of those in the community that can offer specialist support, especially around stress & burnout. Better to be proactive in this area.
7/10 and will look for expert support in my community
My Spiritual Side — Taha Wairua
As a child, I was fortunate enough to be raised by my Elders, two of whom were Priests; one was a Ringatū Tohunga and the other (his eldest brother and my mum’s dad) was a Presbyterian Minister. They both taught me right from wrong, using both the natural environment and Scripture to show me how to live a good life and what to do when certain things arose.
As an adult, these lessons have formed a major part of my life and I continue to live by the kawa of our Atua and acknowledge the tikanga passed down by our our Tupuna. By no means am I of the same status of my Elders but I remain committed to the spiritual energy and lessons they have shared with me.
8/10 but stay humble
My Family — Taha Whanau
It’s funny to think I have a number of families — my birth family, my wife’s family, my best friends families. I have found myself at the love and mercy of so many people and over time, have repaid that kindness and generosity with equal devotion and commitment.
Having kids of my own has allowed me to create a life that I had missed out in my own youth and being a husband has meant that I am able to be my usual idiot self free from judgement with my best friend and soul mate (xx Mama Lasa). My own siblings appreciate me in their lives and now that they have children too, I’m the geeky uncle who always encourages our family to think, to talk and to move together, when needed. I have still one major area I need to resolve, which stems from being a young, dumb man back in my youth, but I am forever hopeful that bridge can be re-conncted. For now, I would say that my Family is my strongest asset.
9/10 with a few things to sort this year
So does this mean I am totally ready to make a march for a million? No, far from it.
But as I make my preparations, it is nice to know that I won’t be the thing that sabotages any plans.
I know in the past I used business as a way to mend a broken man. Clients and customers can often smell that desperation. It’s easy to throw up smoke & mirrors and while the pitch might have been incredible, the actual product or service was average, at best.
Today, the businesses I run with my wife hums. It has taken a lot of blood, sweat and effort but if my measure is that she is happy (#1), my staff are happy (#2), my accountant and IRD are happy (importantly #3) and that the young people and their families keep coming back are remain inspired— at least we’re doing our job well.
With that, my Te Whare Tapa Whā Self-Assessment Score:
- My Body — Taha Tinana: 6/10 with lots of room for improvement
- My Mental & Emotional Wellbeing — Taha Hinengaro: 7/10 and will look for expert support in my community
- My Spiritual Side — Taha Wairua
- My Family — Taha Whanau
There’s no grand total, just a true and honest look at myself and what I need to be mindful of. This get’s a big “Hmmm” from me but meh, at least I know.
Next! — the Sorting Hat, and which Businesses are we actually looking at, why and what’s the Plan moving forward.
Let’s see ey cuzzies.
PT2K
