Are you happy with your life? Is it what you dreamed of in your youth? Have you accomplished what you’ve wanted? Done what you’ve desired? Seen what you’ve aspired to see? Are you fulfilled in your work? Pleased with your relationships?
What If You Could Change Your Life?
It’s said that most people spend more time planning a two-week vacation than they do their lives. I don’t know if that’s true for you, but for the longest time it was for me. Sure…there have always been plans and schedules that I’ve executed to at work. As another example, there’s exercise that has a plan or routine to it. Various activities are planned and scheduled. But none of these speak to “life” more broadly.
I’ve written blogs related to this subject. You can get:
Neither one of those really speak to the idea of dreaming, creating a vision for what you want your life to look like…which is where it all starts.
Like in the second blog listed above, you can think of your life in terms of the:
- Spiritual
- Intellectual
- Emotional (relationships)
- Physical
- Financial
- Professional
When dreaming you can also consider including the concepts of “purpose” and “legacy”. Why were you put on this earth? What are you to leave behind?
What Are Your Dreams?
Here’s my suggestion. In prayer (nothing formal, just sitting with the Lord, asking for His guidance)…DREAM. Dream about what you’d like to have accomplished or be doing in 20 or 30 years. Dream about the same related to the next 5-10 years. Take notes. This doesn’t need to be done in one sitting (in fact, it really can’t). Try to do it during a dedicated time during the day or your week, taking it to prayer.
Related to the categories above (the ones I’ve listed or others, a greater number or fewer…you decide), as the thoughts flow, just write them down. Think about what you want your life to look like. Paint a picture. What are your dreams? Your aspirations? Not worrying about the “hows” or the “why nots”, just write. Just dream.
Here’s the interesting thing….your hopes and dreams align with your strengths and desires (the things you like). It’s the way God has wired you, the way He made you…wanting you to be happy, to be fulfilled.
You Need A Vision
Zig Ziglar, who died in 2012, is one of my favorite trainers and speakers, always entertaining and always making a great point. One of his old quotes is, “if you don’t know where you’re going, any old road will do”.
Knowing where you’re going all starts with identifying your hopes and dreams, then creating a vision for your life. With the notes you’ve taken, you can construct a narrative, the future you want for your life. This is what you want in your mind’s eye when you begin to strategize and plan, ideas for which are in the blogs referenced above.
Hope this helped. As always, please reach out to me with questions or comments at [email protected].
God Bless you on your Path to Peace, Joy, and Fulfillment!!!
Mark Joseph