Zig Ziglar introduced the BE, DO, HAVE paradigm years ago. It says that many people believe that they need to continuously “DO” — work nonstop, socialize with a certain group of people and in a certain environment, and so forth so that they can “HAVE” things — money, love, job, clothes, fancy house, car, etc. — so that they can “BE” — peaceful, loved, successful, …. However, it works the other way around.

First, we need to “BE” which involves connecting with the core of who we are so that we can “DO” what really brings us joy and meaning. Soon we discover that what we’re doing winds up bringing us the things we’ve always wanted to “HAVE.”

This sounds easy but for many, it’s not because it’s scary as that’s when those ugly gremlins appear. I can relate to this in so many ways because this was me until a few years ago. I was constantly doing something which I received many accolades for because, to the world, I was ‘driven, hardworking, ambitious...’ This fueled my need to achieve but unbeknownst to many, this was my way of hiding because being quiet was too painful.  

Watch the video and then do the following activity!

PONDER THIS:

In your notebook/journal answer the following questions:

1. Are you living your life from a DO, HAVE, BE standpoint or from a BE, DO, HAVE space?
2. Whatever your answer is, explain in detail your reason for making this choice. Include actual examples from your lived experience to support it.
3. What are some of the ways that you can transition to be more 'BE, DO, HAVE' focused?