As promised last week, I’m exploring what I’ve come to realize are my three core focuses that I encourage people to consider when proactively planning their lives. And the key word is proactively.

You Are Planning

Contrary to what you’ve heard and/or believe, the key to success in life (defined by me as living fully alive) is not planning and here’s why:

  • Everyone plans, but few proactively plan – consciously thinking, debating, researching, deciding and choosing.
  • Everyone gets what they plan for, but few people live fully alive.

“Decisions have descendants. What we choose today, we live tomorrow.” – Kimberly Shell

The choice to not plan is a decision that will have descendants that you will not like.

Four Words

Question Number 1 is what do you want to do and why? You should be able to thoroughly explain both answers in a minute or less each. An answer for what you want to do with your life and why you want to do it. There are four key words:

  • Thoroughly: “Painstakingly accurate or careful” – thefreedictionary.com. Yes, this will be painstaking work, so? It will be well worth it, I promise.
  • Explain: Yes, I mean a minute or less each. This is not your bucket or wealthy shopping list. It’s why you’re here on this planet and what you intend to do with your life. See below for more.
  • Your: You are here now for a reason. It’s not my reason, your Aunt Matilda’s reason, your Mama’s reason or anyone else’s reason, it is yours.
  • Life: “Life is God’s gift to man. What we do with it is our gift to God.” – Harold Lee

Explain

“I encourage people to uncover what it is they’re meant to do and how to do that well through writing and speaking/teaching. I also seek to partner with entrepreneurs and business owners because we’re living at the most exciting time in human history and I can’t sit on the sidelines.” – my answer to what I do.

Short and to the point:

  • Anything longer and people will be bored.
  • Anything longer and they will be confused.
  • Anything longer and YOU will never remember it yourself – and YOU are the main person this statement is for!
  • Be bold: Don’t be obnoxious, but say what you mean and mean what you say. People need to know you believe it. YOU need to know you believe it.

If you don’t believe, work on this until you do. Proactively.