SUCCESS ARCHIVES

Dreams, Visions and Guts!

Dreams, visions and guts? Yep. I meant it. Living the life you want takes real guts. It takes commitment, it takes follow-through. It means shouting Yes - again and again and again - to those things that take you where you're going. It means being on purpose, and to be on purpose, you have to know what your purpose is, what the highest, most exhilarating vision for you and your life is.

There is never a better time than the present moment to evaluate where you are.

Are you living your grandest life? Where do you want to be at this time next year? Where do you want to be in one year, three years, five years? What dreams do you have for your future?

When you look at the things you wish to achieve, is the vision compelling? Is it clear? Is there anything holding you back?

What Do You Value Most?

As Woodrow Wilson said, "You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand."

Until we know what we value, we cannot be on purpose. What things give you meaning, right now, in your life, in your work, in your relationships?

What contributions do you make that you value the most? What makes you smile? What brings you a feeling, a sigh, of deep satisfaction? What enriches you? What do you want to do more of? What do you want to have more of?

Here's some ideas to get you started: Do you value your contribution to the environment? Your marriage, your relationship? Your children, your parents, your siblings, your extended family? Time. Your pets? Money? Physical health and vibrant well-being? Your faith? Success? Achievement? Being a leader? A visionary? A coach? Your creative genius? Your career? Serving? Giving? Peace? Happiness? Joy?

Action! challenge

Over the next two weeks, make a note of the things you value the most. Then, after two weeks, narrow your list to three or four things. (Then email them to me!)

These are the things, I ________________________, value the most:

1) _____________________
2) _____________________
3) _____________________
4) _____________________

Doing this exercise is revealing and takes guts. You need to carve out time to be introspective and you have to really listen to the things that come up for you, including those thoughts that might be uncomfortable.