Distinctions are word pair comparisons where one word is stronger or more evolved than the other.
In the examples provided, the first word of the pair is the more evolved of the two. The value of
distinctions is that they highlight an often subtle difference between two fairly similar words. This
difference is more than semantic
—
it’s evolutionary. In other words, as you learn distinctions, you
start to gravitate to and orient around the stronger of the pair.
If you know the difference, put an X in the preceding box. If you know the difference and your life
is fully oriented around the first of the word pair, then fill in the box. The goal is to have all 100
boxes filled in.
1. 1–10
2. 11–20
Accept versus justify
Buff versus excellence
Accomplishments versus results
Build versus create
Adding value versus adding more
Capillary system versus promotion
machine
Assimilation versus integration
Cellular learning versus acquire
knowledge
Assist versus help
Centers of influence (COI) versus net-
work
Attain versus achieve
Character versus personality
Attract versus seduce
Charge neutral versus charge up/
down
Authentic versus genuine
Choice versus decision
Awareness versus knowledge
Coach versus consult
Balance versus juggle
Coach versus help
100 Key Distinctions
to Fully Understand
and Evolve Into
Copyright © 2005 by Coach U. Inc. www.coachu.com.
3. 21–30
4. 31–40
Compassion versus empathy
Discern versus judge
Competence versus experience
Distinction versus definition
Complete versus finished
Do versus say
Condition versus force
Distinguished distinction versus
ignorance
Confidence versus arrogance
Effective versus efficient
Constructive versus comparative
Emotional cost versus financial cost
Cooperation versus competition
Enroll versus sell
Courage versus bravado
Eternity versus purpose
Deliver versus do
Evolve versus learn
Desire versus compulsion
Experiment versus test
5. 41–50
6. 51–60
Expertise versus experience
Generosity versus giving
Extensive versus inadequate
boundaries
Get versus understand
Extreme self-care versus just enough
Healed versus healing
Feel versus think
High standards versus
self-righteousness
Feeling versus emotional reaction
Honor versus protect
Financial independence versus sav-
ings
Inform versus promote
Flow versus momentum
Initiate versus respond
For versus about
Inkling versus evidence
Freedom versus relief
Inspire versus motivate
Fulfillment versus satisfaction
Integrated versus compartmentalized
Copyright © 2005 by Coach U. Inc. www.coachu.com.
7. 61–70
8. 71–80
Integrity versus morality
Meme versus gene
Interdevelopmental versus
interdependent
Model versus description
Intuition versus instinct
Model versus expert
Language versus articulate
Need versus want
Life design versus life plan
Overrespond versus overreact
Life versus lifestyle
Path versus circle
Market talents versus market self
Personal versus personable
Mastery versus expert
Possibility versus pipe dream
Material versus important
Present versus future
Matter versus mean something
Pull goals versus push goals
9. 81–90
10. 91–100
Ready versus able
Space versus time
Relationship versus result
Standards versus boundaries
Reserve versus reserves
Surrender versus accept
Restore versus recover
Toleration-free zone versus intolerant
Self-worth versus self-esteem
Truth versus facts
Selfish versus needy
Underpromise versus overdeliver
Sensitize versus sensitive
Values versus morals
Shift versus change behavior
Vision versus goal
Simplify versus eradicate
Who versus What
Solution versus answer
You versus roles
Copyright © 2005 by Coach U. Inc. www.coachu.com.