Back in the 60′s when Dr. King gave his world-changing speech in Washington, the movement was centered on a specific desired outcome – legislation to enforce racial equality. In the early 70′s, protesters gathered for a different specific outcome – to get out of Vietnam.

Today we have cities around the world being “occupied” by protestors trying to start a movement. Unlike their predecessors, however, their demands are vague, muddled, and completely inactionable.

I was in San Francisco last week and wandered into “occupied” territory. I spoke to several protesters with an open mind to better understand what they want changed. Rather than clearly articulated demands, I heard a mish-mosh of angry spew.

Here are some actual responses I received when I asked the simple question of “What do you want to happen?”

“It isn’t fair that big companies make a lot of money but we are poor.”

“It’s time we stood up for our rights as citizens. We won’t be silenced!”

I searched the camp, politely asking what specific objectives they were trying to achieve. I could not get a single coherent answer. Did they want Bank of America to start handing out crisp hundreds to anyone who asks? Did they want to change tax policy in a Robin Hood redistribution-of-wealth fashion? Did they want the SEC to restrict companies from profiting or creating jobs?

Industry or government is not taking the Occupy movement seriously, mainly because they are not rallied around a specific mission. Being angry and having a lot of wants doesn’t motivate change. While they profess to represent “the 99%”, they are really just a fringe group of frustrated people that would rather complain than make a real difference. As a result, it is highly unlikely that this “movement” will accomplish much of anything.

If you are an entrepreneur, business executive, marketer, community leader, or any person seeking to drive progress, you need to do two important things that the Occupiers are missing:

1. Create a rational case for change. Just being angry isn’t enough. You need to clearly articulate why the current state is unacceptable in a thoughtful, reasonable way. No one will be moved to action unless they understand why they must act.

2. Make a specific, realistic ask. Demanding a Prius and a high-paying job for every American is a foolish, unattainable request that is completely inactionable. On the other hand, real change can occur when a rational and consistent solution is proposed.

Now I’m all about shattering conventional wisdom and driving meaningful change. There’s simply a way to effectuate progress that can yield actual results and another way that creates only agitation.

As you frame your own passionate case for the things you want in your own life, choose the method that will actually get something done. It’s one thing to “occupy.” It’s another thing to win.

It’s often said that the most successful people focus more on the questions they ask than the statements they make. Asking the right questions can unlock volumes of knowledge, wisdom, and insight. Yet we’re often so busy telling, that we miss out on the power of asking. While this applies to communication with other people, I’m talking about the internal conversation we have with ourselves.

So often, that internal dialog is sabotaging. If you speak to friends the same way you speak to yourself, you’d quickly end up with a long list of enemies. “I’m not smart enough”, “I can’t do it”, “That was a stupid thing I just said”, “I’m a phony”, “I’ll probably get fired”, “He/she is going to dump me.”

Your inner pit bull ends up wreaking havoc and holding you back from reaching your true potential. It’s a terrible injustice when you spend your reflective moments filled with fear and doubt. Instead of a loving coach to ourselves, we often end up being an angry, mud-slinging jerk. A warden who ensures we stay imprisoned – demanding mediocrity. We become our own biggest detractors.

Rather than a bunch of new age, self-help babble, try asking yourself these four powerful questions to liberate your soul and set your ideal course.

1. If there was zero chance of failure, what would you do?

2. What are the three habits you need to change to take your game to the next level?

3. Who are the people in your life you need to spend more time with? Less time?

4. Is the game plan you are currently running the most direct path to your destiny?

Telling yourself empty compliments lacks authenticity and impact and has the same effect of someone complimenting you on your outfit that you know is a fashion disaster. Real confidence and empowerment comes from knowing you are on the right path, and having the discipline to stay focused even when it isn’t convenient.

By asking yourself these questions in an honest, introspective manner, the game plan you need to pursue will become as clear as the latest 3D, HD, LED, 1080p TV. Then it becomes a choice: To follow your life’s work or to cave to your detractors. And I’m talking about both external naysayers and the likely biggest critic in your life – you.

When you’re on the right path, the negative self-talk evaporates and gives way to confidence and power.

You don’t need a shrink, life-coach, boss, talk show host, politician, parent, or infomercial spokesperson to tell you how to live your life. When you go deep on these questions, you’ll find the answers you need to put a plan in motion and seize your purpose.

Send the critic out for a long walk, ask the right questions, and get busy with manifesting your true potential. Everyone else’s is already taken.

Many of us chase success, only to find it to be an elusive tease. We say to ourselves if “I could HAVE what I want (money, fame, power, clothes, spouse, car, house, etc.) then I could DO the things I want, which, in turn, would allow me to BE who I truly am.”

We think Have, Do, Be. Unfortunately, that’s backwards.

When you study the most successful and happy people, they run the reverse model. They first focus on who they are (philosophy, character, culture) and are uncompromising on BEING true to those beliefs. This allows them to DO the things they want. Because they are authentic and follow their destiny, they end up HAVING what they need. The HAVING is simply a byproduct of first BEING and then DOING.

If you really want to maximize your true potential, turn the conventional approach upside down. BE true to your core beliefs, DO the things you care about, and the HAVE will take care of itself.

In terms of BEING, a good starting point is to write your own eulogy. When it’s all said and done, how do you want to be remembered? As a selfish, workaholic jerk? A fear-laden rule follower? A liar? Most of us want to exude strong character, contribute to humanity, and express our creativity. You don’t need a new Porsche or a 5-bedroom house to begin being a person you can admire.

When you think about DOING, forget about the status quo and what you think you “ought” to do. Instead, follow a path that is both inspired and inspiring. Step away from what you perceive as “safe” since you only have so many years to make your mark. Start by asking yourself these seven questions:

1. What do you love to do the most?
2. What gives you the most satisfaction and joy?
3. When do you feel like you are making the biggest impact?
4. What activities most energize you?
5. What would you do if there were no possibility you could fail?
6. What are you doing when you lose track of time?
7. If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be?
If you’ve identified a career path that is radically different from your current gig, it’s time to take a hard look in the mirror and consider seizing your true calling. If you don’t, who will?

As for the HAVE, it will take care of itself. If you follow your passion and purpose, you’ll get all the stuff you need. By focusing on being whom you are meant to be and doing what you are meant to do, the having will end up being a whole lot less important anyway.

Stop with Have, Do, Be. It’s time to Be, Do, Have.

After I graduated college, I launched my second business – Innovative Computer Solutions. We sold computer hardware and provided networking and other computer-related services. After 11 months of business, I was doing well. But as Jim Collins likes to say, “Good is the enemy of great.”

In 1994 the computer world was in the midst of massive upheaval. And an introspective look in the mirror revealed a company that was on the path to mediocrity. I was making money and winning clients, but our products and services were a commodity. A me-too player. And let’s face it… the world doesn’t need another me-too player. The world doesn’t need another me-too anything.

So with less than one year of operations, I decided to sell a business that appeared to be full of success and promise. This was a hard decision, since the business was making money and growing rapidly. But I knew that it wasn’t my destiny. I knew that I needed to let go of one opportunity in order to seize a bigger one.

Letting go is never easy, especially when things are “okay.” Many people find themselves in “okay” jobs, “okay” relationships, and living “okay” lives. It takes boldness and courage to let go of the known to pursue the wonder and magic of what’s possible.

As human beings, fear often immobilizes us and keeps us grounded to the “okay.” But then we eventually look back – filled with regret that we never went for it. Never took that big risk. Never chased down our true potential. We end up playing it “safe”, only to realize that playing it safe is the riskiest move of all. Because playing it safe gets in the way of your real trajectory and robs you from reaching new heights.

We all have “to do” lists. What would be on your “letting go” list? What are the things you need to release in order to make room for the new? What are you clinging to out of habit or perceived safety that has lost its enduring value?

Sometimes, you simply need to let go. You must let your own grit and determination become your new safety net. And in the process, you’ll make room for the possibilities while liberating your spirit.

How do you know if you’ve accomplished something today? What should you measure if you didn’t deliver something measurable? In an era of dashboards, metrics, and key performance indicators, should every ounce of your energy be directed at hitting near term deliverables?

In studying the behavior of the most successful people, I’ve noticed that they spend a good deal of time planting seeds. Sure, they deliver short-range tangible results, but they also constantly invest in the future.

When you take the time to help someone out with no immediate payback in sight, you are planting a seed. When you write an article, blog, or whitepaper – simply to share insight with others – you are planting seeds. When you volunteer at a local hospital, give back to the community, or pick up that piece of trash that everyone else sees yet ignores, you are planting seeds.

The results often come back to you in non-linear ways, but the return on your investment will absolutely be noteworthy. The college student you help, simply because it is the right thing to do, ends up referring his boss to you years later who, in turn, becomes your largest client. The speech you gave at a community event touches the mayor, who becomes an ally to you as you seek permit approval several months later.

The funny thing about generosity is that it actually ends up driving better results than the selfish person craves. If you go out into the world and greedily chase cash, you’ll seldom find it. But if you genuinely seek to make a difference, you’ll end up with an even greater bounty.

You can plant seeds by building new relationships. Helping a colleague. Extending support to others without issuing them an invoice in return. Sharing your knowledge. Supporting a friend during difficult times. Doing a favor. Pitching in without being asked.

The seeds you plant may not provide a boost to this month’s income statement, but there’s simply no question they will propel your future. It’s one of those things that grumpy, penny-pinching CFOs will advise against; which is all the more reason to keep on planting.

Sure, it’s a good day when you land a client, close a deal, or improve performance by 3.68%. But it’s a great day when you’ve planted fresh seeds. While it can’t be measured this month, you will savor the wonder and magic when those seeds bear beautiful fruit.

Plant away.