I got a call last week from a former fifty eight year old client of mine. Wanted to get together for lunch. “I just wanted to thank you for helping me change, see my business in a way that has been key to all the success I’ve accomplished.” I thanked him. Couldn’t really recall what I’d done for him. We’d not seen each other for seventeen years!Then this. “Bob, I’ve accomplished about all I’ve ever dreamed of. An extremely successful career, served on the boards of some of Atlanta’s most prestigious organizations… great kids, wonderful wife. But I may need your help. There’s something missing.” I thought, “Good for him.” He was in a good place. He was asking an important question. I’ve done so much. But. Who am I? Who do I want to be?

You see… I’ve worked with many who have made the transition from “doing” to “being.” The classic transition to retirement would be a good example. “Doing” is about accomplishing things. Building a resume … contributing to ones pride of things done. But there is something curious here. The very thing my client was sensing. There has to be more than our accomplishments. In truth, in retrospect my client found a surprising emptiness in what he had done. Accomplished. There had to be more.

I have an exceptional acquaintance here in Atlanta. Runs a remarkably successful marketing firm. We had breakfast a few months ago. “We really have to get back to our core. Promote the values, the culture that have been who we are… DO something.” Albeit for me to tell this guy what he should do. But me? “Why don’t you just BE. Be you.” He looked at me curiously.

We are all consumed by “doing” things. Lists… meetings… errands. All of it. And we accomplish a lot. But there is a crucial difference between accomplishments and achievements. Accomplishments are things you’ve done. Achievements are things you do that change you. Show others who you really are. We check all the boxes as we accomplish. But we truly FEEL when we achieve. Some examples of achievements … Mentoring a young person at work. Spending a weekend with grandchildren. One on one time with a friend. Travel. Charity.

Reading a great book. Meditation, prayer.Achievements are things you do that change you… help you grow. Are about who you are… who you want to “be.”I’ll be meeting with my client again. I’ll tell him to keep “doing.” But maybe with a different perspective. Learning to feel that the things he accomplishes are blended more with things he achieves as well.

In the final resolve it’s the things we achieve that touch us … the things that surface real feelings that change us … touch our heart.Helps us be as we do.