Living Your Dash - Embrace the Power of Choice

“Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?” – Linda Ellis

I was recently moved by this line from Linda Ellis’s poem, The Dash. It came into my life at a poignant moment, just after my father’s passing, and I found myself reflecting on the sheer brevity of our time here. In a recent video, I shared how this simple yet profound piece of writing reminded me to focus on the moments that truly matter. I want to take you through my thoughts, the key insights I’ve gathered, and the steps we can all take to make our limited time count.

Key Takeaways

1. The Dash as a Symbol
   Between the date of our birth and the date of our passing lies a short dash. This dash symbolises everything that happens in the time we are here. How we spend it, how we treat people, and the legacy we leave behind are all condensed into that modest line.

2. Power of Choice
   We might not control everything that happens in our lives, but we always have a choice in how we respond. That choice is our personal power. Whether it’s a fleeting moment of frustration or a cherished family gathering, we have the power to decide how we show up.

3. Living with Compassion
   The poem highlights the importance of showing appreciation and respect towards others. Life is too short to let anger or indifference cloud our relationships.

4. Time Is Fleeting
   Each day, hour, and minute is part of our dash. Recognizing that it can end without warning challenges us to be more present, kinder, and bolder in our decisions.

5. Reflecting on Legacy
   Asking ourselves, “Would I be proud of how I’ve spent my dash?” is a powerful way to stay true to what matters. This question can guide us towards more meaningful activities and interactions.

How I Interpret the Dash

One of the most striking elements of The Dash is how it cuts through the noise of everyday life. When I first heard this poem, I was reminded that my relationships, my sense of purpose, and my daily choices are all part of this brief punctuation mark. It’s an invitation to consider whether I’m living in alignment with what I truly value.

RecogniZing Everyday Power

I’ve learnt that my power lies in the way I handle each moment. When confronted with a challenging situation—be it at work, with a friend, or during a moment of private grief—I can take a breath and remember that I decide how to respond. This small pause can spell the difference between reacting impulsively and acting with intention.

Seeing the Bigger Picture

At times, I’ve been so lost in everyday tasks that I’ve forgotten the bigger picture. The poem’s reminder about our finite time was a wake-up call to appreciate the small joys: a conversation with a loved one, a quiet moment of reflection, the first sip of tea in the morning. Each is a tiny piece in the puzzle of my life’s dash.

Expanding on Intentional Living

I want to explore one idea from the poem more deeply: the call to “be less quick to anger and show appreciation more.” Whenever I think back on my father’s life, what stands out isn’t the money he made or the possessions he acquired; it’s the love and warmth he brought to every conversation. Seeing how he impacted others makes me wonder if I’m following that same path.

• Shifting Perspective: When someone irritates me, am I able to pause and see their viewpoint before leaping to conclusions?

• Offering Genuine Praise: Am I telling the people in my life what they mean to me, or do I assume they already know?

Slowing down enough to honor these moments helps me ensure that my own dash is spent creating a positive ripple effect.

The New Year and Your Dash

I shared in the video that we’re at the start of a fresh year. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on how we want to fill these coming weeks and months. If a single year is one small portion of our dash, how do we want to spend it? For me, it’s about being more intentional—setting time aside for family, putting away my phone for meaningful face-to-face conversations, and seeking out tasks that ignite genuine passion.

Your Dash. Your Legacy. Your Leadership.

Each second ticks by so swiftly, but we can harness our agency to shape our experiences. In my view, “honoring your dash” starts with awareness. Once we realize that each day is a gift, we naturally want to embrace our time with more gratitude and generosity. This realization can inform how we show love to others, how we manage frustrations, and how we hold onto joyful moments.

Next Steps

Every decision you make shapes the impact you leave behind—not just in your personal life, but in your leadership as well. If you’re ready to lead with greater intention, confidence, and authenticity, I invite you to explore my Leadership Tenets Workbook.

This guide will help you clarify your leadership values, break free from unconscious patterns, and step fully into the leader you’re meant to be. Because honoring your dash isn’t just about time—it’s about the way you show up in the world.