Itinerary for Life

When you are planning a vacation, do you take it for granted that everything will fall into place and it will just be a perfect vacation or do you plan a perfect vacation? First you pick the destination, and then you have to figure out the best way to travel to your location, you might study maps or research flights, to make a decision on how to travel.  Perhaps, you talk to others who have gone to this vacation spot, research the area to know what you can and should do. You will have to know about the weather in order to pack the right clothes, and then there is making arrangements for your home and pets while you are gone.  Are you getting the idea of what I’m talking about?  Vacations take a lot of preparation and planning. When we went to Disney World a few years ago, we planned the trip for approximately one year for a week-long vacation, and I know that we are not the only people who put all this effort into planning a vacation.  The crazy thing is, is that it was JUST a vacation.  Why is it that we often times put more effort into planning a vacation than planning our lives?  Why is it that we don’t stop and think about the importance of creating a great life?

You may be thinking, “But a vacation is different than life, Carrie!” Yes! I totally agree, but in the scope of life, which one should YOU be putting more of your energy into, vacationing or daily living?

Actually, vacation planning is much easier, even if you are going on a big vacation like Disney World because it is time limited. Hopefully our lives go on and on for many years. So how do you plan for many, many years?  First of all, don’t over think it. I’m not talking about scheduling your menu and daily activities for the rest of your life. What I am talking about is creating a life vision.  When thinking about planning for your life there are two BIG questions you should ask yourself:

1. In an ideal world, what would I want my life too look like in ____years.

2. What do I want my legacy to be?

In order to create the life, you want, you must first be able to visualize what you what it to look like.  I often times help clients with this activity by suggesting that they picture themselves sitting on their front porch talking to their grandchildren and sharing stories about their life.  Here are some deep thinking questions to help you get started.

1. What lessons in life would I want them to know?
2. What stories about my life would I want to share with them?
3. What memories do I want people to have of me?
4. What legacy do I want to leave?
5. What do I want people to say about my life?
6. What was on my bucket list that I completed?
7. What would people say I stood for?
8. What were my greatest victories?

A legacy is created by the little things that we do every day. The time to start creating  your legacy therefore is today.

How do you want people to remember you?