Where Do You Want To Go?
Where Do You Want To Go?
Where Do You Want To Go?
Where Do You Want To Go?
The real key to a life lived on purpose is to begin with the end in mind. Therefore, for alignment you must pick the right purpose and then work backwards — by taking on missional goals that support your life purpose and working toward temporary goals that fulfill your missional goals, putting everything you have toward one thing.
“If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time.” – Zig Ziglar
“Decide what you stand for. And then stand for it all the time.” – Clayton Christensen
“It’s easier to stick to your principles 100 percent of the time than 98 percent of the time.” – Sean Covey
“When all of this is over, and there is nothing but a story to tell, what story do you want to be told?” – Andy Stanley
“Only three things last for eternity: God, the Word of God, and the human soul. To the extent that you are involved in these three things, you are involved in eternity.” – Jerry White
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” – Jesus (Matthew 16:26)
Every day, all of us are headed toward something. We can see where people are going based on their behavior in the office or their tone of voice on a phone call. It is not hard to determine what someone wants by their words, demeanor, and actions. If you spend enough time with someone, you understand what drives them and you know their values and where they get them.
What are you aiming at today? If you achieve it, how long will it last?
Is your aim for today the same as the ultimate aim of your life? Are they consistent or inconsistent?
These are incredibly important questions to ask yourself — you don’t want to end up achieving the wrong goals or ending up in the wrong place for the rest of your life.
Begin With The End In Mind — Defined
In Chapter 2 of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, Covey gives us the definition of the second habit, Begin With The End In Mind,
“The most fundamental application of “begin with the end in mind” is to begin today with the image, picture, or paradigm of the end of your life as your frame of reference or the criterion by which everything else is examined. Each part of your life — today’s behavior, tomorrow’s behavior, next week’s behavior, next month’s behavior — can be examined in the context of the whole, of what really matters most to you. By keeping that end clearly in mind, you can make certain that whatever you do on any particular day does not violate the criteria you have defined as supremely important, and that each day of your life contributes in a meaningful way to the vision you have of your life as a whole.”
Knowing what you want the most for your life simplifies your life. Being willing to dedicate your life to one chief purpose exponentially increases the importance of choosing the right thing.
Aligning all your gifts and means to achieve temporary goals that move your missional goals forward facilitates a life lived on purpose.
The real key to a life lived on purpose is just as Covey suggests: to begin with the end in mind. Therefore, for alignment you must pick the right purpose and then work backwards — by taking on missional goals that support your life purpose and working toward temporary goals that fulfill your missional goals, putting everything you have toward one thing.
Create A Vision For Your End
To know what you want, Covey recommends a simple but profound exercise; imagine what people will say about you at your funeral. Covey explains it this way.
“Now think deeply. What would you like each of these speakers to say about you and your life? What kind of husband, wife, father, or mother would you like their words to reflect? What kind of son or daughter or cousin? What kind of friend? What kind of working associate?
Most of us have had these thoughts about our funeral, but the key is to think aspirationally on the impact we want to have on specific people, our organizations, communities and the world and then begin to act this way.
Covey states, Habit 2 applies to many different circumstances and levels of life, the most fundamental application of “begin with the end in mind” is to begin today with the image, picture, or paradigm of the end of your life as your frame of reference or the criterion by which everything else is examined.
Next week’s behavior, next month’s behavior — can be examined in the context of the whole, of what really matters most to you. By keeping that end clearly in mind, you can make certain that whatever you do on any particular day does not violate the criteria you have defined as supremely important, and that each day of your life contributes in a meaningful way to the vision you have of your life as a whole.”
Life Happens From The Center
Covey recommends writing a personal mission statement. He says that a mission must begin at the very center of our Circle of Influence.
“Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.”
“These four factors — security, guidance, wisdom, and power — are interdependent. Security and clear guidance bring true wisdom, and wisdom becomes the spark or catalyst to release and direct power. When these four factors are present together, harmonized and enlivened by each other, they create the great force of a noble personality, a balanced character, a beautifully integrated individual.”
Covey explains how each of us has a center and how some of us have competing centers. He explains the pitfalls of being centered on some of the most common things people tend to center their lives on, including work, spouse, family, money, church. He goes on to explain how they all have the same problem as being self centered. Eventually, you will be run to the end of the security, guidance, wisdom and power of each of those centers. And then you won’t know what to do when the priorities of these centers collide.
By centering our lives on correct principles, we create a solid foundation for development of the four life-support factors. Our security comes from knowing that, unlike other centers based on people or things that are subject to frequent and immediate change, correct principles do not change. We can depend on them. Principles don’t react to anything.
Principles don’t die. They aren’t here one day and gone the next. They can’t be destroyed by fire, earthquake, or theft. Principles are deep, fundamental truths, classic truths, generic common denominators. They are tightly interwoven threads running with exactness, consistency, beauty, and strength through the fabric of life.
By centering our lives on timeless, unchanging principles, we create a fundamental paradigm of effective living. It is the center that puts all other centers in perspective.”
The Perfect Center
Covey is right. We all need an unchanging and timeless center, full of beauty and consistency, that gives us security, guidance, wisdom and power.
Yet, we need something far more than a set of principles, we need the One who meets us in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9) and is relevant to everything we face in life and work.
There is One who is timeless. There is One who spoke the world into existence (Colossians 1:16). The very One who created each of us in our mother’s wombs (Psalm 139:13). The One who calls us to follow Him (Mark 8:34) and offers us life — abundant life forever (John 15:10).
Covey says, “Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.”
Jesus Christ meets these criteria perfectly.
Security — When Christ is the center of your life, you know you are valued far beyond your work and what others think of you because you know He made you in His image (Genesis 1:26-28). You know you don’t have to be driven by money, pride, or business accomplishments because you know where you are going (Romans 8:17) and you know nothing can keep you from His love or your destiny (Romans 8:37-39).
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” – 1 John 3:2-3
Guidance — When Christ is your center, you receive perfect direction for life and work. Jesus gives you the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) to lead you in this life and the next.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Wisdom — When Christ is your center, your perspective is rooted in His perfect word. His world is relevant to everything we face in life and work. When we seek His wisdom, God will give it to us.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:5-6
Power — When Christ is your center, you are filled with His working power (Colossians 1:29). Christ is an unlimited source of divine power. You have the permission and access to ask everything in His name (John 14:6) and He will provide exactly what is needed — giving you the confidence to do all of your work the very same way Jesus worked (Colossians 3:27).
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” – Colossians 1:27
No one is able to effectively balance competing priorities without a center.
With Christ at the center of your life, you are confident in your end — everlasting life. With Christ at your center, you can live in the present and see each moment as an offering back to God (Romans 12:1). With Christ at your center, you are able to be a continuous blessing to others in your life and work. With Christ at your center, you become a world-changer and a source of light and love for all.
More Useful Resources From The Center
Book: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Article: Proactivity is Response Ability
Do You Want A More Balanced Life?
Article: Life Is A Gift, Plan For Success
Article: Everything Toward One Thing
Franklin Covey: How To Build Your Mission Statement
“If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time.” – Zig Ziglar
“Decide what you stand for. And then stand for it all the time.” – Clayton Christensen
“It’s easier to stick to your principles 100 percent of the time than 98 percent of the time.” – Sean Covey
“When all of this is over, and there is nothing but a story to tell, what story do you want to be told?” – Andy Stanley
“Only three things last for eternity: God, the Word of God, and the human soul. To the extent that you are involved in these three things, you are involved in eternity.” – Jerry White
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” – Jesus (Matthew 16:26)
Every day, all of us are headed toward something. We can see where people are going based on their behavior in the office or their tone of voice on a phone call. It is not hard to determine what someone wants by their words, demeanor, and actions. If you spend enough time with someone, you understand what drives them and you know their values and where they get them.
What are you aiming at today? If you achieve it, how long will it last?
Is your aim for today the same as the ultimate aim of your life? Are they consistent or inconsistent?
These are incredibly important questions to ask yourself — you don’t want to end up achieving the wrong goals or ending up in the wrong place for the rest of your life.
Begin With The End In Mind — Defined
In Chapter 2 of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, Covey gives us the definition of the second habit, Begin With The End In Mind,
“The most fundamental application of “begin with the end in mind” is to begin today with the image, picture, or paradigm of the end of your life as your frame of reference or the criterion by which everything else is examined. Each part of your life — today’s behavior, tomorrow’s behavior, next week’s behavior, next month’s behavior — can be examined in the context of the whole, of what really matters most to you. By keeping that end clearly in mind, you can make certain that whatever you do on any particular day does not violate the criteria you have defined as supremely important, and that each day of your life contributes in a meaningful way to the vision you have of your life as a whole.”
Knowing what you want the most for your life simplifies your life. Being willing to dedicate your life to one chief purpose exponentially increases the importance of choosing the right thing.
Aligning all your gifts and means to achieve temporary goals that move your missional goals forward facilitates a life lived on purpose.
The real key to a life lived on purpose is just as Covey suggests: to begin with the end in mind. Therefore, for alignment you must pick the right purpose and then work backwards — by taking on missional goals that support your life purpose and working toward temporary goals that fulfill your missional goals, putting everything you have toward one thing.
Create A Vision For Your End
To know what you want, Covey recommends a simple but profound exercise; imagine what people will say about you at your funeral. Covey explains it this way.
“Now think deeply. What would you like each of these speakers to say about you and your life? What kind of husband, wife, father, or mother would you like their words to reflect? What kind of son or daughter or cousin? What kind of friend? What kind of working associate?
Most of us have had these thoughts about our funeral, but the key is to think aspirationally on the impact we want to have on specific people, our organizations, communities and the world and then begin to act this way.
Covey states, Habit 2 applies to many different circumstances and levels of life, the most fundamental application of “begin with the end in mind” is to begin today with the image, picture, or paradigm of the end of your life as your frame of reference or the criterion by which everything else is examined.
Next week’s behavior, next month’s behavior — can be examined in the context of the whole, of what really matters most to you. By keeping that end clearly in mind, you can make certain that whatever you do on any particular day does not violate the criteria you have defined as supremely important, and that each day of your life contributes in a meaningful way to the vision you have of your life as a whole.”
Life Happens From The Center
Covey recommends writing a personal mission statement. He says that a mission must begin at the very center of our Circle of Influence.
“Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.”
“These four factors — security, guidance, wisdom, and power — are interdependent. Security and clear guidance bring true wisdom, and wisdom becomes the spark or catalyst to release and direct power. When these four factors are present together, harmonized and enlivened by each other, they create the great force of a noble personality, a balanced character, a beautifully integrated individual.”
Covey explains how each of us has a center and how some of us have competing centers. He explains the pitfalls of being centered on some of the most common things people tend to center their lives on, including work, spouse, family, money, church. He goes on to explain how they all have the same problem as being self centered. Eventually, you will be run to the end of the security, guidance, wisdom and power of each of those centers. And then you won’t know what to do when the priorities of these centers collide.
By centering our lives on correct principles, we create a solid foundation for development of the four life-support factors. Our security comes from knowing that, unlike other centers based on people or things that are subject to frequent and immediate change, correct principles do not change. We can depend on them. Principles don’t react to anything.
Principles don’t die. They aren’t here one day and gone the next. They can’t be destroyed by fire, earthquake, or theft. Principles are deep, fundamental truths, classic truths, generic common denominators. They are tightly interwoven threads running with exactness, consistency, beauty, and strength through the fabric of life.
By centering our lives on timeless, unchanging principles, we create a fundamental paradigm of effective living. It is the center that puts all other centers in perspective.”
The Perfect Center
Covey is right. We all need an unchanging and timeless center, full of beauty and consistency, that gives us security, guidance, wisdom and power.
Yet, we need something far more than a set of principles, we need the One who meets us in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9) and is relevant to everything we face in life and work.
There is One who is timeless. There is One who spoke the world into existence (Colossians 1:16). The very One who created each of us in our mother’s wombs (Psalm 139:13). The One who calls us to follow Him (Mark 8:34) and offers us life — abundant life forever (John 15:10).
Covey says, “Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.”
Jesus Christ meets these criteria perfectly.
Security — When Christ is the center of your life, you know you are valued far beyond your work and what others think of you because you know He made you in His image (Genesis 1:26-28). You know you don’t have to be driven by money, pride, or business accomplishments because you know where you are going (Romans 8:17) and you know nothing can keep you from His love or your destiny (Romans 8:37-39).
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” – 1 John 3:2-3
Guidance — When Christ is your center, you receive perfect direction for life and work. Jesus gives you the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) to lead you in this life and the next.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Wisdom — When Christ is your center, your perspective is rooted in His perfect word. His world is relevant to everything we face in life and work. When we seek His wisdom, God will give it to us.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:5-6
Power — When Christ is your center, you are filled with His working power (Colossians 1:29). Christ is an unlimited source of divine power. You have the permission and access to ask everything in His name (John 14:6) and He will provide exactly what is needed — giving you the confidence to do all of your work the very same way Jesus worked (Colossians 3:27).
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” – Colossians 1:27
No one is able to effectively balance competing priorities without a center.
With Christ at the center of your life, you are confident in your end — everlasting life. With Christ at your center, you can live in the present and see each moment as an offering back to God (Romans 12:1). With Christ at your center, you are able to be a continuous blessing to others in your life and work. With Christ at your center, you become a world-changer and a source of light and love for all.
More Useful Resources From The Center
Book: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Article: Proactivity is Response Ability
Do You Want A More Balanced Life?
Article: Life Is A Gift, Plan For Success
Article: Everything Toward One Thing
Franklin Covey: How To Build Your Mission Statement