How The Principle of the Path Affects Your Purpose

Have you ever been driving and not exactly sure of your final destination? What happens? You increase two un-needed and un-desired results: extra time and stress.

Nothing is more frustrated than vague directions.

Knowing where you are headed ahead of time makes all the difference in where you end up.

I love this quote from Alice in Wonderland:

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” said Alice.
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don’t much care where” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.

Does this describe the direction in your life right now?

A few years ago, I was introduced to The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley. It was so simple yet so challenging and convicting.

The Principle of the Path states:

Your Direction, Not Your Intention, Determines Your Destination

I know SO many well-intended people who are nowhere near where they ultimately want to end up in life.

Why? The Principle of the Path. Their direction, not their intention, determines their destination.

Once I know why I’m here, I can then know where I’m headed. It gives me direction.

I absolutely love being physically better through nutrition and fitness. I also love being professionally better through planning and productivity.

But this doesn’t mean I will automatically have Purpose in my life.

I ultimately want to be personally better and as a result, I want to make a difference with my life.

I’ve had success, money, traveled, been very privileged in many aspects of my life but I know there is more for my life.

My simplified definition of Purpose is as follows:

“Doing something bigger than me or living for something bigger than myself”

This is where Purpose enters the picture.

Once I know my Purpose, it provides me with direction, lets me know where I’m headed and provides two key benefits:

1. Direction Gives Me Clarity

I don’t want to move and be going in the WRONG direction. And as a result, I often feel paralyzed.

I love what Jeff Goins, author of The Art of Work says in his chapter, Listen to Your Life:

“We all just want ‘to know’ what we’re supposed to do with our lives, for our purpose to be spelled out for us, but that’s not how a calling works. It’s never clear and hardly obvious, especially when you’re starting out. But when you start to take those first steps, when you commit to some course of action, you begin to see what was there all along.”

In the beginning it may not be crystal clear but there is a level of clarity that you’re headed in the right direction. The dust begins to settle, the fog begins to fade, and as a result, the air begins to clear on your direction.

2. Direction Gives Me Momentum

You’re no longer wasting time and just coasting through life.

When you have momentum, you are moving in just one direction and as a result get the benefit of forward motion.

You’re no longer fighting yourself getting pulled in different directions and not only losing momentum, You’re exhausted and frustrated. Been there?

Jeff Goins goes on to say, “Most people waste the best years of their life waiting for an adventure to come to them instead of going out and finding one. They succumb to the status quo and dream of life being different someday. Plagued with indecision, they wait, unsure of the right path to follow. As they wait, they miss an opportunity to live. The only smart choice is to move, to not hold out for a better time and choose a direction now.”

Did you catch that? Choose a direction now. And as a result, the Big Mo will turn your clarity into energy that moves you forward.

Which Direction Are You Heading Right Now?

1. Your Direction is in SEARCHING for Purpose

At this point in your life, you simply don’t have Purpose. I’m not hear to judge or condemn but encourage and guide you.

Your direction needs to be focused on simply and fully searching for Purpose.

This is not necessarily an easy process but one SO worth it in the end.

The challenge here is to no lose hope but focus your energy in searching for your Purpose: doing something bigger than me or living for something bigger than myself.

My hope is the writing on Purpose stimulates a desire to find your Purpose so you can truly make a difference in your life.

2. Your Direction is DEVELOPING Your Purpose

At this point in your life, you’ve either discovered or in the process of developing your Purpose.

It’s beginning to take form and now your time and attention needs to be on the development of this precious gift that is unfolding with each new day.

This is an exciting time because you’re discovering and learning SO many new things about you and what your future could look like. Good for you!

You’ve been “awaken” to something more and no more time is wasted on just existing and coasting through life.

It’s game on and developing your Purpose is where your focus is right now.

3. Your Direction is STUCK in Good Intentions with Your Purpose

You may know your purpose but all of your energy is being wasted on “good intentions.” And as a result, you’re no closer to your final destination of your Purpose.

You can easily tell and even motivate someone with your Purpose but if you were to be completely honest, it’s simply good intentions. It sounds impressive, even compelling.

And the simple reality is you’re no closer to actually achieving the Purpose then the person listening to it! (you just had the idea first)

This message is a wake-up call for you and you know in your heart it’s time to stop thinking and start doing.

IF this is truly a Purpose for you and not just an idea, then it will give you the needed direction and let you know exactly where you’re headed.

You need to confirm this is still YOUR Purpose and if it’s not, just start over.

And if it is your Purpose, re-ignite this passion and get back in the actual direction of Your Purpose.

Closing Thoughts

Purpose will give your life direction. And as a result, it will provide you with clarity and momentum.

Purpose must be developed. It must have forward motion.

But it doesn’t “just happen.”

Remember the Principle of the Path:

Your Direction, Not Your Intention, Will Determine Your Destination.

My hope is you will find your Purpose, develop your Purpose, and it not only affects every part of your life, but also makes a difference in the lives of others!

So, how seriously are you taking this part of a motivated, busy professional who wants to escape their average and embrace better in areas only they can control in their lives?

Only you can determine your Purpose.

Closing Question:

Are you searching for your Purpose, discovering your Purpose, or stuck in good intentions right now?

THREE KEYSTONE HABITS TO CREATING A NUTRITION MINDSET

Nutrition. Just using that word changes the conversation.

Have you ever been the one who orders something healthy at a restaurant and watched how everyone else responds?

I continue to be surprised not only what people order for lunch or dinner but how they justify their behavior. Like it’s going to add weight to me!

It’s like the oxymoron of McDonalds and nutritional value. Three words that really don’t go together.

Out of all six specific categories of excelling in areas only you can change (Nutrition / Fitness / Planning / Productivity / Purpose / Character) nutrition seems to be the one resounding category so out of balance. But why?

Most people eat what they want because…

it’s easy (simplicity)
it’s what you’re used to (routine)
it’s what you like (preference)

Yet this is a reactive approach to nutrition. I want to challenge you with a pro-active approach instead to gain control in this area of your life.

I’ve found most motivated, busy professionals want to gain better (or even some control) in this key area of their lives but are missing one critical ingredient:

NUTRITION MINDSET

Let me define those two powerful words when put together:

Nutrition – quality foods that give your body life
Mindset – a way of thinking then living

But a nutrition mindset MUST be developed especially if there has been neglect in this key area of your life. How can you create this much needed discipline?

There are Three Keystone Habits to Creating a Nutrition Mindset

1. THIS MATTERS TO YOU

Simply put, you now care. You’re getting beyond the comparisons because “your average” is different than everyone else’s average and in the end you’re trying to “escape YOUR average.”

Most people blame poor eating on the following:

• Not enough time to prepare

• They don’t make the meals

• Too busy

• Just plain lazy

I’ve found if someone else wants something for me more than I want it for myself, the motivation quickly fades and I fall back into my old way of doing things.

In the end, you have to care about your own nutrition. Excuses aside, nutrition must matter to you for any real change.

2. AWARENESS

Once a nutrition mindset matters to you, then you must develop the habit of becoming aware.

I drive a Dodge Charger as a rental car most of the time when I’m traveling (my wife calls it my 2nd car and my only allowed road mistress).

I’ve developed what’s called DCS: Dodge Charger Syndrome. I was never really aware of Dodge Chargers, let alone how many were on the road until I started looking for and driving one.

The same is true in nutrition awareness.

Once you’re aware of a behavior, you will be amazed at what you will see. And really see. This is where true change in the area of nutrition.

How many times would you catch yourself reaching for a Diet Coke, chips, extra cookie or un-needed extra helping of…?

You must develop the habit of awareness of what you consume and when within your day. And it can happen if a nutrition mindset now matters to you.

3. LONG-TERM FOCUS

Most diets and dieters fail because of one major factor: It’s short term.

Once the goal is met and the “diet is over”, the weight almost always come back and usually brings additional “heavy weight friends” with it as an added bonus. (literally!)

Once you truly care about your nutrition and have developed an awareness of what goes into your body, then you must develop the habit of long term focus.

This means you’re looking at your nutrition as a way of life not a quick way of losing a few extra pounds.

Will this happen? Absolutely. But it’s a means to an end.

Your third and final habit of creating a nutrition mindset is a long term focus. No tweaks or quick fixes but the long haul.

You must determine this is the way you’re going to live from now on and you will see a difference.

In the End…

Maybe this is an area that used to be a strength for you but no longer. But this can change today for you!

Ultimately, a nutrition mindset will help you in the following:

• What you eat
• When you eat
• Why you eat

All are critical for the needed change you want in this area of your life. But it starts with the keystone habits of this matters to you, you’re now fully aware, and you have a long-term focus.

Nutrition is a VERY personal area. We eat for different reasons and if comfort is one or busyness is another, this will be a challenge for you.

You can do this and change your life! Motivated, busy professionals can make the necessary changes to escape their average. Will this be you…?

Can you imagine the changes in your life just six months from now if you decided today to create a NUTRITION MINDSET? Sold yet?

Closing Question…

What do you need to do today to begin creating a nutrition mindset?

Three Practical Ways to Add Generosity as a Character Quality

How do you respond to someone who gives you something or does something for you unexpectedly?

Ironically, generosity is rare but so simple. It’s an admirable character quality.

Character is who you really are not who you want or appear to be in your life.

And there are certain character qualities that we should aspire to develop or focus on in our lives.

Generosity is one of those qualities that is appreciated, endearing, and can be acquired over time if it’s not natural right now.

My wife and I are trying to teach our kids this character quality. We chose to create a clear and concise definition we could use to remind them of the meaning:

Make Someone’s Day by Giving Something Away

It’s easy to see selfishness in children. They embrace it with strong language:
MINE
But I don’t want to share

Yet they can also be incredibly generous. I have one son who is a natural giver. It’s just who he is at the core and an amazing, endearing character quality. Everyone loves when he gives. Imagine that.

But most of us have to work at it. We may never outwardly utter the embarrassing words: MINE or I don’t want to share. Yet we think it and often times will justify not sharing.

What if we considered adding or growing in the area of generosity? How could we actually do it?

There are three practical ways to add generosity as a character quality:

1. GENEROUS with my MONEY

This is the most obvious and often thought of way to be generous. And a great tangible example.

Ironically, it doesn’t need to be a lot of money to make a difference! It’s the sacrifice.

Sometimes it’s simply helping someone in need.

Other times it’s giving to something bigger than ourselves.

The point here is to use what we have to be generous to others.

I remember as a child my father would buy grocery store or McDonalds gift cards for the sole purpose of giving to someone in need.

If he saw someone with a sign that said “homeless”, he would give them one of these gift cards.

We had VERY little money growing up but it taught me how to be generous even when others would say, “they’re probably just going to use it on alcohol or cigarettes.” My father showed a way to not use that as a reason to avoid giving and still be generous to someone in need.

And if money has a hold on us, this is a great way to loosen its grips and can make an immediate impact for the good.

Our family chooses to support a child in Africa. My kids see the impact of the financial support.

We recently created a care package for this child filled with purchased items (the kids paid for) along with notes, and pictures. It took creativity and thought but it’s been a great experience for our family.

Are you thinking of a way you could be generous to someone else and develop this character quality?

2. GENEROUS with my TIME

This is a challenge for me. Sometimes the 1st option of generous with my money can be easier because it’s a gift and may not require any more of you.

But giving of my time gets VERY personal. I’m a highly structured person so time is my most valuable resource.

Yet what better way to show someone generosity then in an area that directly requires something of me?

The quickest crowd I can personally choose to be generous with my time is with my family.

My wife’s love language is time spent (and who could blame her with a traveling husband). And my kids, like any other kids, absolutely love any time especially generous time spent.

Others are generous with their time by their actions. I know a handful of friends who in a moment’s notice would help me do anything.

It’s a free way to serve others and demonstrate the character quality of generosity.

Yet so few are generous with their time. We can easily defend why we cannot offer this gift and may even be justified.

But what if we learned to develop this character quality giving more of our time to our family first then to others? What impact would it make on them?

3. GENEROUS with my WORDS

Why would WORDS make the list of generosity? Because of the power of words.

When someone is generous with encouragement, how does it make you feel? Do you avoid them or soak in their generosity in this life-giving way?

Most people are guarded with their words. But when I find someone who empowers, encourages, believes in, and motivates me with their words, I want to be around them.

The reality is being generous with your words is a choice. You choose to bring others life and build them up rather than being negative and tearing someone down or even choosing to say absolutely nothing.

If your natural impulse is negative, this could be a great challenge for you even if you may be generous in one or both of the other ways. (money and time)

Words are free and can be literally said in a moment’s notice verbally or in written form. Yet their impact could be for days, weeks, or even months later. What a return on the investment!

I want to be a person who is gracious with their words. I want someone to leave my presence motivated, challenged, inspired, and encouraged. Are you with me?

There are two specific ways to develop a generous character:

DESIRE

You have to WANT to develop the generous quality. If the desire is not there, nor will the development of this endearing quality in your character.

No one can force you to be generous. It’s a decision that must be made with conviction in order for it not only to have meaning but stay long term and affect your character.

Motivated, busy professionals naturally have desire in their drive. It’s part of the wiring.. But which desire is determined only by you.

It’s a pre-requisite and critical for generosity. Do you have this desire?

OBSERVATION

Once you have the desire, you must learn the skill of observation to see opportunities to be grateful.

SO many things in life are missed simply because we’re not aware of the opportunity.

What if we took that desire and acted on that opportunity? What a difference you could make in someone else’s life?

It’s amazing just how many little things we could do to impact other people by our generosity if we just noticed. This is a challenge for motivated and especially BUSY professionals.

And oh what a difference we could make to others.

Closing Thoughts…

Do you want to be known as a generous person? Is this a quality that speaks to you? If so, then begin looking for ways to use your money, time, and words to be generous.

Check your desire and look become observant looking for opportunities to be generous.

And the most ironic part is not only is the person you’re generous towards affected by your actions, so will you. Skeptical? Try it and see…

Closing Question…

Is this a character quality you want to develop?