Checklist – The Charge (How To Active the 10 Human Drives)

This checklist is based on the book, The Charge: Activating  the 10 Human Drives That Make You Feel Alive, by Brendon Burchard.

The Charge is a guide to leading a Charged Life.  A Charged Life is where we have fun and engagement in anything we do, and realize our full potential, while sharing our unique gifts with the world, and lifting others up to do the same.

How To Activate the 10 Human Drives That Make You Feel Alive

The Five Baseline Drives

Drive	Activators
Control	Control Your Outlook and Your Character Control for New Control Workflow
Competence	Assess and Direct Your Desire to Learn Set a Real Challenge, Plan for Success, and Get a Coach Integrate Successes into Your Identity
Congruence	Set New Standards for Yourself Set Your Mood Meter Keep Your Word and Follow Through
Caring	Care for Thyself Be More Vulnerable and Allow Others to Care for You Be More Present, Interested, and Attentive to Others
Connection	Define and Design Your Ideal Relationships Practice Positive Projection Find and Cultivate “Growth Friends”

 

The Five Forward Drives

Drive	Activators
Change	Make Change About the Gains, Not the Losses Get Clarity, Think Big, and Be Bold
Challenge	Choose Fulfilling Challenges Focus on the Journey and Don’t Fear Rejection Set Monthly Thirty-Day Challenges
Creative Expression	Amplify Creative Expression in All Areas of Your Life Study People and Design Create More, Share More
Contribution	Give of Yourself (and Give Yourself Credit While You’re at It) Give to (Deeply Meaningful Contribution Experiences) Mentor, Mentor, Mentor
Consciousness	Focus Your Consciousness Transcend Consciousness Live in Wonder

 

Checkpoint Questions

Drive	Checkpoint
Control	Do my actions reflect the quality of person I want to be, and can be? Am I setting my sites on enjoying new experiences regularly? Am I working on at least two to five project a year that I am fully invested in?
Competence	What unimportant activities am I spending too much time on, which could better be utilized to try meaningful new things? What challenges can I design for myself for no other reason than to learn, grow, and build more mastery and competence? Am I taking time to give myself credit for what I’ve learned?
Congruence	Am I living my six words every day? (e.g. Present, Enthusiastic, Bold, Engaged, Caring, and Inspiring) What am I looking forward to the most today, or what could I decide to do today that I look forward to? What can I do today to better manage my responsibilities and finish what I’ve begun?
Caring	Am I getting at least seven hours of sleep every night, eating smaller portions, more produce, and exercising at least three times a week? Am I asking for help, opening myself up to letting others help me, support me, mentor me, encourage me, and care for me? Am I seeing everyone in the world as having a sign hung around their neck that reads, PLEASE LISTEN TO ME AND VALUE ME?
Connection	Am I doing what it takes to improve and deepen the relationships with my family, friends, intimate relationship,  peers and co-workers? Am I projecting positive traits onto others, and letting them live into those traits? Do I have four to twelve close, real friends, and at least ten growth friends? Do I see my close friends at least one of them, in person every month, speak to them preferably several of them, every week or two at a minimum, they really know me, provide me with insight, information, and inspiration that challenge me to be a better person, and we have a high degree of fun when we hang out? Am I surrounding myself with remarkable friends who help lift my life to the level of energy and potential I know it has?
Change	Am I viewing change as pleasurable in itself, as something that brings in new learning and growth no matter whether it’s self-initiated or not? Do I have a defined, detailed vision for what I want to accomplish? Do I have my “Moon Shot”, where I am chasing something so big and unimaginable to me and those around me?
Challenge	Am I choosing “good” challenges that bring full engagement and fulfillment in my life? Am I choosing challenges that stretch my efforts and capabilities, demanding slightly more than the best of my skills and strengths, where I can score my ability, allow for a sense of completion, and allow a sharing of experience and achievement? Am I setting a monthly 30-day personal development challenge to try a new sport, learn a new skill, take on a big creative project, perform at higher levels, or embrace a new belief?
Creative Expression	Is my signature style and creative input all over the past five projects I worked on? Am I intrigued by how people behave, interact, communicate, use products, work, shop, worship, and organize? Am I acting on any past burning desire to invent, design, sculpt, create, develop, or share?
Contribution	Am I giving the best of myself to everything I do, exerting my highest and strongest self? Am I giving my time, energy, effort, resources, skills, connections, attention, and love to my team, my company, my family, my favorite nonprofit? Am I using my knowledge and experience to help others succeed?
Consciousness	Am I able to understand, feel, anticipate, judge, initiate, or be in control of my mental and physical capacities? How present am I on a scale of 1-10? Do I slow down and notice the marvels that unfold all around me?