What Matters Now


What matters now is that we are responsible for our own experience.

As leaders, we don’t do what we do for a paycheck or for recognition. We tend to tie our work to a deeper purpose.

We give our purpose meaning, and that meaning drives us create what matters:

Create what matters now: by paying attention. We get so caught up in our everyday activities we don’t notice what’s in front of us. We allow the most important things to pass us by—precious people, precious moments. The gift of time is given to each of us without certainty or guarantees, so don’t wait for a special event to come along. Make connecting to the things that give you meaning a priority every day.

Create what matters now:  by avoiding regrets. Hospice nurses tell us they hear their dying patients say they wish they had worried less and loved more. They wish they had followed their passion and not worried about what others would think.  Their biggest concerns are whether they loved enough, whether they brought enough meaning, whether they lived out their purpose. Don’t wait until the end to look back—do it now, while you have the capacity to change. Make this time, today, worthwhile.

Create what matters now: by overcoming insecurities. Do we want to stay stuck in our insecurities, or do we want to move on with what we came here to do?  Be honest with yourself, and when you are fearful bring on the confidence you need to get you through it.

Create what matters:  by charting our own path. It’s easy to get caught up with other people’s drama, expectations, and experiences.  As a leader who is looking to create meaning, examine your vision and keep it connected to your dreams.

Create what matters now:  by staying true to ourselves. Do what is right for you. Act from your own integrity, your principles, your values.  The only thing you can do is be yourself, and know that you matter. At its deepest level, bringing meaning to leadership is bringing purpose to life, and bringing purpose means you are making this world a better place.

Lead from Within: What matters now is to follow your true self and create what matters by bringing meaning to your leadership, to yourself, and to others.


Lolly Daskal is one of the most sought-after executive leadership coaches in the world. Her extensive cross-cultural expertise spans 14 countries, six languages and hundreds of companies. As founder and CEO of Lead From Within, her proprietary leadership program is engineered to be a catalyst for leaders who want to enhance performance and make a meaningful difference in their companies, their lives, and the world.

Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.

  1. Wayne McEvilly

    01. Jan, 2013

    These are the luminous simplicities which face us in our search for a destination – that we have already arrived – that the soundcurrent of our harmonized nature can already be heard at every given moment – to open the ear of our heart to its individuated song – all by merely being fully present at what is –
    “..examine your vision and keep it connected to your dreams….” This is a joy-bringing experiment which gradually becomes automated, taking over, as it were.
    “Create what matters now: by overcoming insecurities. Do we want to stay stuck in our insecurities, or do we want to move on with what we came here to do?”
    Indeed!
    Yo!
    This post is a strong call to the only battle worth our while – let’s learn, let’s do.

    Reply to this comment
  2. JOHN MULROY

    01. Jan, 2013

    i like that ,,Lolly,,,love respect

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  3. ynes

    01. Jan, 2013

    Excellent reading to a start a new year. Number 2 “create what matters now by avoiding regret” really touched me since it’s one of the things we might forget easily as we get involved in daily routine. I do beleive in passion, loving and donating my time to people around me! Reading this article made me focus again in what really it’s important in order to become a better human being.
    Best regards,

    Reply to this comment
    • Shannon

      02. Jan, 2013

      Number 2 also touched me. Something I’ve started asking myself is, “will I look back and regret this?”

      Reply to this comment
  4. Rose Jones

    01. Jan, 2013

    Thank you Lolly, a fine start as we begin directing the strokes of our brush on this new canvas of 2013: creating, doing, and being about ‘what matters now.’

    Reply to this comment
  5. Skip Prichard

    02. Jan, 2013

    Another great post. What matters now is all about people and relationships, and not things. Here’s to charting a successful course in 2013!

    Reply to this comment
  6. ben odoi

    02. Jan, 2013

    what mattersnow is an itemize potency to uplift you,more also the need to set goals that you may be able to follow at everyday of your living till you accomplish.

    Reply to this comment
  7. Frank C. Tymrak

    02. Jan, 2013

    A thought provoking posting that motivates me to take a self inventory on ” What Matters Now”. I believe that there are only two things that an individual can control – their attitude and their effort! Precious moments are happening everyday in education and it is important to experience those joys and tribulations.

    If we went out for dinner tomorrow night – would you go home believing that I was one of the most important people that you had met this week or would you go home believing that you actually had terrific strengths to achieve the goals that you wanted to achieve!

    I can assure you that it would be the latter!

    All the Best .

    Reply to this comment
  8. Ignacio Quinones

    02. Jan, 2013

    Great post Lolly.

    Reply to this comment
  9. Fahad Aleissa

    03. Jan, 2013

    Excellent post Lolly. In fact after reading your post I can say that no matters now what will happen in the future as long as we are responsible for our own experience.

    Reply to this comment
  10. john paul

    03. Jan, 2013

    What matters now is now. Happy New Moment!

    Reply to this comment
  11. badr

    06. Jan, 2013

    I SEE YOUR TWEETS AND I FOLLOW YOU . YOU ARE GREAT .

    Reply to this comment
  12. Louise

    07. Jan, 2013

    I don’t let precious people pass by. I always give time to my husband despite of him working in another place. Though what I gave to him was not appreciated, and it makes me cry.

    Reply to this comment
  13. James

    10. Jan, 2013

    I was reminded of a TED talk that shows that the secret to happiness is to remain in the now. It is a great talk, but this one is a lot funnier, and just as informative. http://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work.html

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