We simply spend the time to look at who we are, what we do, and where we are going?
“The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~Mark Twain
Life Is a Series of Choices
“I wish I was good at this! I’m not." Like most people, I am a creature of habit. Every day I wake up, shower, shave, eat breakfast, sit, read, pretend to exercise and then begin my day. I’m on “auto pilot”. I just do it because that’s just what I do! Someone asks “How are you?” and I answer “Good” without even thinking. I react before I think. I take the same route to work because … well, just because. I sit in the same chair, talk to the same people, do the same stuff because … well, it’s easy and it’s comfortable. All of these habits do have a purpose. They simplify my life and make it easier. If I had to decide every little detail of my life every day, I’d be paralyzed. There would be too much for me to handle.
The reality is that most of us don’t analyze whether these habits, these patterns, these shortcuts are the best way to live. We don’t think much about it at all. We live, work, play, think and interact as if our brains and bodies are on “cruise control”.
"The unexamined life is not worth living." ~ Socrates
Is the answer really as simple as that – Examine my life? Must we simply spend the time to look at who we are, what we do, and where we are going? While this may be totally impractical on a moment to moment basis, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” That’s why retreats are significant; why strategic planning can radically change a life; why taking the time to pause, sit, take a breath, and think over a choice or action can lead to life-changing results.
There is a simple rubric for this - three simple questions that help you to act and live in a purposeful way. Consciously or unconsciously, every time you decide to do something or not do something, you ask yourself these three questions. The key to living a purposeful life on a daily basis is to take these questions from the unconscious level to the conscious level.
Here are the questions:
Can I do it?
What are the risks/costs involved?
What are the benefits?
Simple, yet not easy. To apply these questions to the choices we make is not to guarantee success, but it will set the stage for more satisfaction, higher achievements and greater influence.
If I knew that I wouldn’t fail, what would I be willing to try ?
What would I be willing to try, because it is so important, even if I knew I might fail?
Choose to Ask Purpose Questions
There are questions that need to be asked to live life on purpose; questions that on the surface seem simple but when taken seriously will take a life time to answer. They are simple in structure, yet they examine the complexity of our lives. They need to be answered concerning the whole of our lives but also for the immediacy of each hour of each day that we have been given. Here they are. These are vision questions. They help us to set direction and then understand how we fit into the journey that is defined by that direction. They are the outline that defines the story that we are writing.
What is important?
This is a values question. It is ultimately a question that creates the energy, motivation, and drive for all of us. It is significant to ask what is important in your life, but just as important to say what is important today. The larger priorities should remain constant. The daily activities will change, but the goal is that over time there is a constancy of values.
“To thine own self be true…"-Shakespeare.
Who am I?
This is a self knowledge question. All of us are different. We have different strengths and different weaknesses. To know who we are lets us maximize our influence an effectiveness while at the same time surrounding ourselves with people who are brilliant at the things that we aren't.
Why am I here?
This is a purpose question. If we can find our purpose in life, focus on it, and then work concertedly toward that purpose, then we can make a difference in the world. If the purpose is clear and then constantly communicated it will serve as the centering point for all that we do. As we make plans...does it further our purpose? As we allocate our resources (time, money, energy)... does it further our purpose? As we live our life...are we living it on purpose?
Where am I going?
This is a mission statement. What is it that we are called to do to fulfill the purpose that we sense God has given us? There are many activities that accomplish almost any purpose. Some may be long term and some may be simple phone call. These are the focused events that lead to the fulfillment of the purpose that God has given us.
How will I get there?
Unfortunately here is where most of us spend most of our time. We are a doing people. "Let's figure out how to get this done!"
This is a strategy question. What will we do? When will we do it? Who will we do it with? How will we get it done? All of these are important questions that need to be figured out if we wish to fulfill the mission and accomplish our significant purpose. Where we sometimes fail is that we begin with the "How will I get there?" question and neglect the "Why am I here?" and "Where am I going?" questions. As a result we lose focus, get frustrated, say "Why isn't this working?" and "why aren't there enough people to help?" We seek busyness instead of purposefulness.
Choose to Ask Strategic Questions
In addition to the purpose questions, there are strategic questions that affect the narrative of our lives. These questions deal with actions, priorities and how we order our lives within the context that the vision questions have established.
How's it going?
This an analysis question. To get from here to there you must first understand where here is! Our lives are multifaceted and to move forward we must analyze the 7 areas of our lives that integrate and form who we are.
It is an analysis of where you are and how you feel about it. It is a centering on reality; a cruelly honest evaluation of life and how you are living it.
The answer will come at many levels:
Physical: What does my body feel like
Environmental: Where am I
Emotional: I like it/I don't like it
Statistical: The results
-Define the metrics of success
-Find a way to measure those metrics
Relational: Whom I'm with and how we're working together
Observational: What I see
The seven areas to analyze are:
Spiritual - Physical - Professional - Financial - Intellectual - Social-Family
What is good?
This is a goal question. It allows for the setting of parameters for success. Whether short or long term, goals are the yard sticks that we use to define whether our life is good or not; whether we have succeeded or failed in whatever we try. Good is relative and constantly changing and therefore the temptation is to never set goals. The danger here is that we settle for less and wander around in mediocrity.
What am I supposed to be doing?
This is an action question. We can identify goals and write plans until we are blue in the face, but without action they are hollow.
Strategy is the general (philosophical) approach that we agree upon.
Plans are the execution system to achieve the results.
Tasks are the steps needed to be accomplished to work within the plan to execute the strategy.
This is a question that links action to goals to purpose. It is the purpose that fuels the actions to accomplish the goals.
Who's coming with you?
This is a relationship question. We live in community and not in a vacuum. Who we work with and for has a dramatic affect on who we are and what we do. Surround your self with likeminded people. 12 months from today you will become like the people that you hang-out with.
What do I need to succeed?
This is a resource question. Resources consist of people, places, things, and skills. Do you need to learn a skill? Who can become a partner or advocate for your dream? If the motivation (read purpose) is strong enough there is a whole world of resources that are available to us.
When will you start?
This is a motivational question. This is where you put the plan into action. Create an action plan, set benchmarks and deadlines, have someone you are accountable to who will encourage you along the way and celebrate your accomplishments and achievements. Ultimately, it is up to our own self-management and discipline, but I always find it helpful and motivating if I know I need to be accountable to someone.
“The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” ~John Maxwell