The End Picture
How many of us would have a sure and quick answer to the question: what does your life stand for? It is a deep question and one that each of us should readily know. Your life’s purpose and unique calling are very important, in fact, it is the reason you were created. There are specific things you are built for that only you can do and in order to accomplish those things, to make the world a little bit better, we have to know what the end picture is.
Life Sentence and Puzzle Pieces
Stephen Covey, in his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” talks about the “tombstone test” in order to define your life purpose. Think about the one SENTENCE that people at your tombstone will define your entire life by. It is a great starting point to know what your life stands for. Once you know that, then you can start to work backwards from that end picture. Another great analogy I love to use is to think of a puzzle. We go to the store and choose a puzzle to buy, a beautiful picture of something that is meaningful to us. We bring the puzzle home, dump out the pieces on the table and get to work. We first put the frame together around the outside and then we start working our way inward filling in the pieces one by one. All the while, right beside us, is the box top with the end picture of what the completed puzzle will look like that serves as a constant reference point. Life is the same way. If we have a very clear and defined picture of what we want to have as an end result in our lives, then putting the pieces together will be a lot easier, more meaningful and will make sense as we go along. Just imagine how much harder it would be to put together a puzzle that you had no idea what the end picture was. What if you labored without a reference point or clear vision of the end picture and finally got the puzzle put together and hated the picture? Don’t live with the regret that you wish you would have chose a different picture for your puzzle instead of the one that someone else gave you. Your pieces are unique and there are other people out there waiting for you to do what only you can do. Know your own picture and get to work on putting your pieces together.
Human Impact
Your specific purpose in life matters! It’s the reason you were created. I want you to think of the human impact of not fulfilling that purpose. Think about the people’s lives that won’t be affected for good if you don’t do what you are supposed to do. Don’t have regrets. You might think that you can’t make a big difference, but this is exactly how big differences are made. Collectively, as one person at a time lives out their authentic purpose, there can be a ripple effect that will echo throughout time and generations. It all starts by individuals having a positive impact on their own personal sphere of influence. If everyone did this, the world would change for the good, guaranteed.
Practical Applications
In his awesome book: “PAiLS” Chris Brady asks the question right on the front cover: in 20 years from now, what will you have wished you had done today? Here are a few practical applications you can do to get your puzzle assembly started.
1.) Write down in detail what you want your life to represent (your desired puzzle picture).
2.) Start to work backwards by asking questions like: What are my specific gifts? strengths? passions? areas of fulfillment? affirmation from others I trust and love?
3.) Take action! Start to do things everyday that are in line with and will move you closer to that end picture.
There is a too late
I want to finish up with a quote from PAiLS: “Remember that it’s your life. Only you can live the life that God alone has called you to live. Only you can fulfill your particular destiny and higher purpose. Sooner or later, you’ve got to get after what it is you were put here to do, or you’ll suffer miserably for knowing that your not doing it.”
“There most certainly is a “too late.” There always is. It’s just not yet. It’s not too late yet.”
Life, Lessons and Leadership 