Your Life Plan Part 1 048

As we are coming to the end of 2020 and look forward to 2021, we are going to offer encore episodes about the importance of and steps in writing a life plan.  2020 certainly didn’t turn out like the vision we may have had for it, but we have a lot to look forward to.  This past year has dealt a harsh blow for many plans  we may have had.  Some I know have been able to reboot their plans and move forward with an alternative direction, either changing course entirely or just navigating around the original planned course.  As 2021 approaches, we can look forward to a vaccine for Covid-19 and the return to some of the activities that we have been held back from doing as a result of this pandemic.

 

This is the perfect time to do what I believe is one of the most important steps to avoiding a life of regret by writing down a life plan, and we will spend the next 3 episodes replaying the 3 episodes that covered this nearly a year ago.  This also gives me time to take a bit of a break to revisit my life plan and make adjustments based on where I am now and this season of life to chart the course of where I want to be.  So don’t miss a single episode of this series.  Remember, just listening to teaching and information will get you nowhere unless you act on it, so here we go for part 1 of this series.

 

A life plan is a short written document that is written by you for you.  The life plan we will be discussing starts with the end in mind, how do you want to be remembered, the legacy you leave.  The second part details your life priorities, the who’s and what’s that are most important to you.  The third part details specific actions you will make to reach where you want to be.  This is where you can plug in your goals.

 

A life plan is a living document that needs to be reviewed often and can be modified as you move forward and/or into different seasons of life.

 

In this episode we will talk about beginning with the end in mind.  Think about how you would want each of these relationships to eulogize you and talk about you once you were gone from this earth.  These are just examples but this list is not exhaustive:

• God (well done good and faithful servant)
• Spouse
• Children
• Grandchildren
• Closest Friends
• Casual Acquaintances
• Those you worked with, your colleagues
• Those who were in organizations you were part of
• Teammates
• Clients you served
• Your Church

 

The example I will provide is from my co-workers from the school district I just retired from:

 

“Those that I worked with will recall how I always made them feel valued and appreciated.  They will talk about how I always made clear to all my faith, and that I was an example by being His hands and feet in serving those in need.  They will recall my desire for them to grow into leaders that focused on adding value to the lives of others.  They will talk about my honesty and integrity in all things that I did.”

 

In the book “Living Forward” by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy, they state that writing your eulogy as part of your life plan will “engage both the head and the heart”.  The book also states that if you can imagine you are attending your own funeral, what conversations would you hear:

 

• What would those closest to your life?
• What stories would they tell one another?
• Would those stories make them laugh, cry, sigh, or all three?
• How would they summarize what your life meant to them?

 

Leaving a legacy is inevitable. Leaving a legacy that you want is not, and requires planning and intention.

 

Hyatt and Harkavy go on to write:

 

“Our legacy comprises the spiritual, intellectual, relational, vocational, and social capital we pass on. It’s the sum total of the beliefs you embrace, the values you live by, the love you express, and the service you render to others.”

 

What do you want your legacy to look like with each of the relationships we talked about earlier?

 

Action item:  Write out a list of relationships similar to the ones we discussed and write compelling legacy statements that say how you would want each relationship to remember you.

 

Next week we will talk about listing our priorities and charting the course to live our best encore life by avoiding drifting and charting a course of action for our lives.

 

Teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 | NIV |

 

In their hearts humans plan their course,

but the Lord establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:9 | NIV |

 

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 | NIV

 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 | NIV 

References:

• “Living Forward” by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy
• Contact Craig