Do You have a  Plan For Living?

From The Game Rules for Life, 

by Doug Kelley

In discovering all the hidden things in creation, it is important to start with ourselves first. We must understand what our own purpose is; what our own vision is; and where our gifts lie. Many have found it a long and arduous task in figuring out what they really want to do with their lives. But this step is critical. The late comedian George Burns said, "We need to find some reason to get out of bed each morning."    

John Homer Miller emphasized this when he wrote, "Discover what you want most of all in this world, and set yourself to work on it." This is the basis for getting the most out of life; we need to find a good reason/purpose to get out of bed each morning, something that excites us and adds meaning to our lives.    

The late scientist and author, Isaac Asimov epitomized the discovery of our special desire. When asked what he would do if he only had six months to live, he replied, "Type faster." Now that's a man who knew what he wanted out of life! Can we do the same? If we were asked the same question, how would we reply? We can pursue endless varieties of vocations that demand endless varieties of talents and expertise. We are limited only by our imagination and dreams.    

Discovering one's purpose is a highly personal decision that we all must make individually and no one else has the right to judge us for our choices. Incidentally, if we don't make the choice actively, the choice will be made for us passively by default. Either way, a choice will be made. Why, we even have a choice as to whether we will make an active choice with regard to our life's purpose! Why not resolve right now to pursue your life's ambition?    

How do you go about discovering your purpose in life? How do you discover that which will bring the greatest meaning to your life?    

The first step is to answer a simple question that may be very difficult:   

• What do I call a good day?

The answer we give to this question is the key that literally unlocks the potential of our life. Our answer will determine what is closest to our heart, what truly inspires us. If we are having a hard time answering this question, try answering some other simple questions that may be difficult:    

 

• What truly inspires me?    

• What motivates me?    

• What excites me about life?    

• What brings me joy?    

• How do I define happiness?    

• If money was no object, how would I spend my time?

 

• What do I call a bad day?    

• What does not inspire me?    

• What does not motivate me?    

• What does not excite me about life?    

• What does not bring me joy?    

• How do I define unhappiness?

In the world of business, it is imperative to put together a business plan. When I started a successful office equipment dealership in the spring of 1990, I developed a business plan, which I then took to the bank to secure financing. I firmly believe that if I hadn't put together my business plan in a complete and professional manner, the bank would not have financed me.    

A typical business plan is an evolving "animal." In it, one addresses all the details of how the business will be operated and grown. For example, such areas as your vision for the business, company philosophy, sales and marketing strategies, suppliers, competition, advertising, sales projections and forecasts, employee requirements, location, cash flow projections, cost analysis, personal credit report, personal experience and background, and financing needs must all be addressed. As you can see, no stone should be left unturned when planning a new business. Since many new businesses fail in the first year, and most by the third, we need all the advantages possible on our side. And further, if we don't take our business seriously, why should anyone else—especially a banker?    

Well, if it is that important for a business to have a plan, how much more important it is that we should have a plan. Many people already have a "plan for dying." It is known as a will, or living trust. In fact, people will go to a lot of effort and spend up to several thousand dollars to have a living trust prepared for them, only to ignore the most important plan—the Plan for Living. Should we not at least give the same attention to planning how we will spend our lives? After all, when you stop to think about it, we will be spending our most meaningful years in life, not in death. We really can't do anything with our material possessions, wealth, or relationships after we are dead. So why not detail how we will enjoy them while we are still alive?    

This concept of a Plan for Living is undoubtedly one of the most beneficial concepts I have come across in my life. It was originally suggested by David J. Schwartz, Ph.D., in his book, The Magic of Self Direction.     

Like many people, I had always found it virtually impossible to write down any goals. Oh, I had goals, but like most people's goals, they were always in my mind. Without actually writing down our goals, they never seem to solidify. Since it is important to review our goals daily, it is easier when they are set down in ink. In addition, writing goals seems a mysterious process, because unless we do some research on setting goals, we never know quite what to write down, or figure out how they are to be implemented.    

On the other hand, doing a Plan for Living was far easier, because I could understand how it needed to be developed—in a detailed manner, like a business plan. I urge you to develop your own Plan for Living. The sooner you do, the sooner you will benefit. (See guidelines below)   

  Our Life Vision 

Your Life Vision is vital to your Plan for Living. It is the canvas upon which you will paint your dream. The colors are your skills, the brush strokes your mistakes and lessons.     

You must first conceive of the dream you desire. This may or may not come easy. Some may have to do deep reflection as highlighted above to figure out what constitutes a good day, and therefore, the dream they desire to pursue. Although you may feel that your dream is out of reach, it doesn't have to stay that way.     

After conceiving your Life Vision, you must next sketch out a rough draft of the picture you want to paint. You do this by formulating and writing down your life vision. All that is necessary is a one or two sentence statement of your life vision. For example, my life vision states: "To give back to the world by helping others to find rich meaning and personal enhancement in their lives by way of writing and speaking." Why not write your own vision statement down?    

Once you have identified your dream, then you must set it in motion by visualizing it mentally everyday. Visualizing can be quite powerful. Author Joan Layne told me how she used visualizing to advance in her previous career:    
"I was trying to obtain a particular management job in my career as a government worker aspiring to move up the management ladder. Having read books     

such as The Power of Positive Thinking and Positive Imaging by Norman Vincent Peale, I decided to try the technique of 'imaging' (visualizing). Every night I would picture my name, identified as a manager, on an imaginary door.     

"Of course, I did other things in my efforts to get the job. For instance, I gained the technical expertise to qualify for the position, did a lot of volunteer work within the office, and 'dressed for success.'    

"It was difficult to do the imaging when I did not get immediate results. But I persisted and was selected for one of the best management jobs (along with a salary increase) I have ever had by using this technique. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to see successful results in any endeavor."   
  

Notice how Joan used positive visualization in "seeing" her nameplate on the door to the office and position she desired. She also persisted even when she didn't get immediate results. This is imperative—we should never give up in visualizing our dreams and objectives.    

It is up to you to paint a beautiful picture. Pursuing your vision requires discernment, perception and intelligent foresight. You must regularly measure your progress in attaining   it. Circumstances and adversities push us in certain life directions, but you must never forget your dream, for it no doubt is a painting of extraordinary beauty.

Doug Kelley is a Professional Speaker and author of The Game Rules for Life. He focuses on helping others overcome self-limiting mindsets in the areas of business, sales, and life. To schedule an in-house seminar on this material, or to consider Doug as a speaker for your next event, please contact him at 941-740-2900, or doug@dougkelley.com. For more information, please visit www.dougkelley.com.

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Copyright © 2000 By Doug Kelley, CSL. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reprint this article provided it is done so in its entirety (including this copyright box) and notice is given to the author at doug@dougkelley.com.