My dad introduced me to the movie the Godfather. The Godfather movie is a trilogy movie directed by Francis Ford Coppola based on a best-selling novel by Mario Puzo. The movie chronicles the saga of the Corleone family.  If you haven’t seen the movie trilogy, go and watch it! It is one of those classics that is rich with lessons and drama.

For those uninitiated in the movie, one could get a feel of the meat of wisdom in the dialogue that were delivered by the great actors and actresses in the movie with nuggets like:

• “Don’t make promises you cannot keep.

• “A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.”

• “The only wealth in this world is children, more than all the money, power on earth”

• “Never hate your enemies, it affects your judgement”

• “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer”

• “Friendship is everything”
  

The journey of Michael Corleone and how he has evolve, is a cautionary tale that is relevant for folks that find themselves in a position of great responsibility, a position of leadership or a position of power. It’s easy for the audience to see how this character is transformed in each movie but one could imagine that it would be challenging for the character himself as he walks his path.  A case of the “frog in the boiling water”. I won’t give any spoilers but would use this as a spring board for me to expand on the merits of exercising “self-awareness” regularly especially whilst one take on new roles or go through their chosen careers.

 
In the professional world, we tend to hear the words “self-awareness” in performance reviews and training programs. The venue where this word is spoken nudges folks to focus on accessing their skills and knowledge - rating them between strengths or weakness. There would be instances that deeper thought goes to how one interacts with colleagues or operates within the corporate infrastructure. This is all good. I would further encourage pulling up higher and allocating time to reflect on how one finds themselves changing in terms of their character ( - the values and virtues they nurture, the things and relationships they cherish) as they pursue initiatives in fulfilment of their roles. To me this extra steps makes the biggest difference in the long-term and therefore should be done regularly, not just during reviews. Including self-reflection exercise when making critical decisions (before and after) as well as time points a year allows you to re-calibrate. 

In my view simple reflective question repeatedly done over time keeps you on the right path. My simple reflective questions are:

• Is the manner by which I execute my responsibility align with my character, morals and values?

• Am I making trade-offs to my health and my relationships with how I’m carrying on with my roles? 

• Would my family be proud of who I am becoming?
  

Being constantly aware of who you are becoming in the pursuit of your goals is necessary. Never lose sight of what is important and the values that one should nurture. Plainly put, no goal is worth it, if you end up losing what is truly important - your health, your family, your peace of mind and your soul.