Toronto, January 25, 8.45pm

Last Friday, I spent the morning with the staff of the Yonge Street Mission in downtown Toronto. Their calling is to “demonstrate God’s love, peace and justice to people living in economic, social and spiritual poverty in Toronto”. As we shared ideas with each other, it occurred to me that many of the people I know are living in poverty. I am. You might be. Not all the time, but too much of the time.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines poverty as: Any deficiency of elements or resources that are needed or desired, or that constitute richness; as, poverty of soil; poverty of the blood; poverty of ideas. Poverty is a relative term. Lipkin’s definition is “a lack of personal resources required to thrive in current circumstances”.

Right now, current circumstances are not as outwardly abundant as they were prior to the Great Slowdown. The Gross National Product of America and Canada is declining dramatically month by month. We’re all being economically impacted. But here’s where the Great Bifurcation begins: many people are feeling poorer not just financially, but emotionally and socially too. They’re struggling to make sense of the New Reality. They’re into Self-Preservation and Withdrawal as they seek shelter from the storm. You know these people. They’re the ones who begin each conversation by telling you how much they’ve lost, or how angry they are at someone or something for the current economic debacle. I’ll make this confession to you: sometimes that person is me.

When I hear myself being that kind of person, I cringe. And I stretch for the other path in the Great Bifurcation: becoming the person who thrives on crises, challenge and external deficit. This is the person who has the faith, the commitment, the ingenuity, the joy, the perspective, the connections, the capacity, the generosity, the patience and the humanity that constitutes personal richness, irrespective of current circumstances. It’s tough. I have more material, financial, social and physical resources than 99% of the people around me, and yet I feel the powerful gravitational pull towards personal poverty. I’m compelled to focus on what I don’t have, what I can’t do, what’s too difficult, what’s not right, what shouldn’t be happening, what’s gone wrong, who has done me wrong, what could go wrong. This blog is my way of stopping my slide. It’s my way of re-minding me what I am, who I am and what my mission is: to excite people into powerful action. Right now, I’m actively reaching for the higher path in the Great Bifurcation. I want to be rich in optimism, energy, possibility, contribution and gratitude. I want to be the guy who makes other rich. I want to be the reason why someone took the right path for himself as he entered the dark woods of the unknown.

Here’s the crucial point: Be consciously vigilant. Do not walk blindly down the path to personal poverty. There are too many people who may follow you there. Override your inclination to worry, anxiety or underestimation of your personal power. Back yourself. Be courageous. Prepare yourself to be rich. Invest in the only asset that will pay increasing dividends: yourself. That’s what I’m doing now. I spent the day with my family. I worked out physically. I listened to some great music. I read some great words. And now I’m writing the best words I can. I feel richer knowing I’m helping you feel richer. Now it’s up to you. Invest in yourself. Reap the dividends and pay it forward…

And by the way, if you want a concentrated two day program in getting richer, come to my program in Toronto on March 27. See http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz8eA-V8t7Y

You can also see me on February 20 or 23 – visit http://www.powerwithin.com/4105/emails/Lipkin_2009/

January 15 2009. Toronto, Canada

To help you plan for the Best Year of Your Career, I’m delighted to share with you the key findings from the Environics 2008 Social Values Monitor.  The Social values monitor is Environics flagship syndicated research study. It has been conducted annually in Canada since 1983. 87 social values trends are tracked covering many aspects of human motivation and social relations. Watch the short video I’ve prepared for you. Its insights could transform the way you live and work in 2009.

The overall story is one of connectivity and that’s a very interesting story.  It’s about networking in social groups, helping  each other be successful, and being a part of a team to make things work. It’s about getting the job done by championing diversity, tolerance, openness, experimentation and exploration. It’s a story in which technology is helping us accomplish mutual objectives. It’s about being flexible, diverse and pragmatic. The winners will be connected to many different communities both functionally and culturally. It’s your connections that will determine your value  like never before.  It’s about belonging to multiple groups and having multiple identities. It’s about becoming more global while relishing your nationality and ethnicity. Yup, it’s about ultimate flexibility while knowing exactly who you are and what you stand for.

It’s the declaration of interdependence and leadership. It’s a whole new kind of leadership. It’s not the man with a plan but the man or woman who allows everyone to be part of leadership. It’s also about having the mental and physical vitality to stay the course when the going gets really, really tough. And it will. I can promise you that the next 12 months will test your faith, your expertise and your tenacity like never before.

Here’s a key lesson from the research: Life will be more demanding for every Canadian. That’s why we have to invest in our capacity to handle the unknown. No one knows the exact way that’s right for you. Put yourself in as many different situations as possible. Get on as many teams of diverse people as you can and adapt.  Leverage Canadian diversity, gender, age, ethnicity and cultures. Synthesize what you’re hearing, communicate it, share it, You have to be your own client. Think at level of community. Be a microcosm of the country. Be an example of the people who are changing the country. Be a winner by attracting winners to you. The person with the most empowered friends has the most power.

Be inspired to experience life and develop yourself to the maximum in 2009. Remember, you’re not just doing it for yourself, by yourself. You’re catalyzing the personal development and experiences for millions of others as well. If One Canadian can, every other Canadian can.

If you want to know more about the Environics Social Values Monitor and how it can help you and your organization thrive, call me on  416-917-6007 or e-mail me at mike.lipkin@environics.ca.