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.