What Makes a Well-Lived Life?

For you - personally - what would you consider a well-lived, full life? Do you know? Or, do you avoid the question altogether and just shuffle through the day to day?

This week as I attended my grandmother’s funeral I was reminded once again of how quickly even 89 years can go by. And of course none of us know if we have another 80 years ahead of us or another 8 minutes. So, how do you want to be remembered? What do you want your life to have stood for?

Perhaps the ultimate "begin with the end in mind" exercise is the one I am going to share with you today. Beginning with the end in mind is a tried and true strategy for going about achieving any goal or outcome in the most fulfilling way possible. It holds true whether you are designing a website, planning for your financial future, or simply planning your activities for the weekend. What do you most want to have had experienced in the process and what results do you want to see in the end?

When I was first given this exercise, I was a bit taken aback. I want to let you know that - it is ok if you feel a swell of emotion as you go to tackle it. That is A-OK and in fact it is a fine indicator that you are human ? Yet I can tell you that it is one of the most powerful ways to get your short-term and long-term priorities aligned with who you really are and what you really want.

Find a quiet place- perhaps a lovely shady spot in a park, a quiet place in your home, or in the corner of a space that is sacred to you. Take a few deep breaths and notice your heart beating. Then imagine it is many years in the future. You are attending your own funeral. You pick up a copy of the obituary paying tribute to you. What do you most want it to say about:

* You as a person
* Your relationships and those you loved
* How you spent your time (professional, personal involvements, community, etc.)
* Your contribution to others and the world at large
* The things you loved most
* They way you chose to spend your time on this earth
* The message you most want to leave others

Take some time and really ask yourself these provocative questions. I guarantee it will start you on a more meaningful path right away.