1 of the 10 human drives to activate to make you feel alive

I really benefited from reading “The Charge” by Brendon Burchard.  Even the subtitle got my attention: “Activating the 10 Human Drives That Make You Feel Alive.”

It was recommended to me by Jack Canfield, Co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and author of The Success Principles.  Jack says, “There hasn't been a game-changing book on personal development in a long time. The wait is over. The Charge confronts our very notions of what drives us as humans, and after reading this book you’ll find a new internal charge that’s stronger and more energized than you ever imagined possible.”

One specific area proved quite thought-provoking.  It is the Activator to find and cultivate growth friends.

Burchard writes that most people don’t have a real grasp on how vital their friendships are to their overall mental health and happiness. 

In study after study, he writes, researchers from a variety of disciplines continually find that the quality of our immediate friendship-based relationships is one of the most important factors in determining our overall stability, mood, ambition, emotional range, growth, and satisfaction in life.

That’s why Burchard warns: Be careful whom you surround yourself with. 

But if, like me, you don’t really surround yourself at all?

The average American has only one or two close friends.  That’s unfortunate, but it does gave me an obvious clue to how I might immediately improve my life satisfaction.

Burchard says, take a look at your own peer group, then answer the following questions.

1.     How many close, real friends do you have? (You alone can define “close” and “real” for yourself)

2.     How often do you see them in person?

3.     How often do you speak with them?

4.     On a scale of one to five, with one being the lowest amount possible, how well do these close friends really know you?

5.     On a scale of one to five, with one being the lowest amount possible, how much do these close friends consistently encourage you to chase your dreams?

6.     On a scale of one to five, with one being the lowest amount possible, how much do these close friends provide you with insight, information, and inspiration that challenge you to be a better person?

7.     On a scale of one to five, with one being the lowest amount possible, how much fun do you have when you hang out with these close friends?

Take time to do the survey, and pick up the book.

Or even better, pick up the phone and call me.  We both could use some time with a friend.