Deep down we all share the same dream. It doesn’t matter where we were born or our circumstances of life. The flame of this dream is always burning. It may only flicker at times, but you can’t extinguish your hero’s dream.

The flame gets fanned with a simple question, “Why am I here?” And it gets tempered to a faint flicker when we are confronted with the throng of life’s inevitable adversity. But our hero’s dream can’t be extinguished. 

There is something every hero does. It’s the key to breathing life into a purposeful journey. Heroes think ahead. They don’t let the future surprise them. Heroes think about what finishing well would look like.

What Does Your 25 Year Plan Look Like?

You might be laughing—”25 year plan? I don’t have a plan for today!” I understand, but stay with me. This thought came to me in the last few weeks in the juxtaposition of a seven year old’s birthday, a high school graduation, a wedding and the celebration of an 80th and 91st birthday.

Oh and you can toss in my 60th birthday.

Think about your 25 year plan through the words of Matthew Henry who wrote, “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our final day.”

My experience and study has lead me to conclude we too commonly stumble upon the future only to be met with disappointment and regret. It’s really not (shouldn’t be) our goal to predict or craft the future.

Our goal should be to do our best to prepare to meet our future with zeal and passion. Why? Because your hero’s journey was purposefully ordained to deliver meaning impact and contribution.

The Four Acts in the Hero’s Journey

So how does it all unfold? Think about your hero’s journey like a four-part play. Each stage bringing with it lessons that prepare you to move on to the next. 

Act One—Preparation

Get ready to launch! In “Act One,” you don’t know what you don’t know and you are surrounded with plenty of people pushing you along. You feel pressure to figure life out quickly in spite of the fact you shouldn’t and don’t really need to figure it out yet.

Figuring it out should be fun—preparing for something with the unknown being the biggest variable. Unfortunately, we are increasingly expecting perfection and imposing unrealistic expectations. It’s okay to test, probe and fail—really!

The vital preparation necessary to perform requires humility and leadership. Leadership to create environments that help young people fail successfully. And helping “Act One Players” grow in the power of humility that will allow them to stumble in discovery and development of competence.

The first stage of the hero’s journey is about preparation. It is engaging in the struggle and the pursuit of knowledge and development of skill . Because 80% of life’s most defining moments occur before the age of 35, according to researchers, this time of preparation is vital. 

Act Two—Authenticity

The humility to prepare provides the foundation for next quarter of life which gives us the confidence to be ourselves.

The goal is to be the best version of yourself. Good preparation should unveil our gifts to us. Gifts are unique! Some are called to serve, other to teach and encourage. Others will be called to lead and inspire. As parents and leaders, we do our best work when we help the people we love and lead discover and use their unique gifts. Your gifts (unique to you) are the seeds of your greatest contributions and where the best version of yourself is discovered.

Act Three—Significance

Hero’s believe their best is always in front of them. Every chapter of their story is preparation for greater impact and contribution. You know you are “Act Three” when you start to see it is not about you—pride gives way to humility.

I recently met with a wealth management consultant. We were exploring coaching and leadership. He told me he worked with a lot of business owners and CEO’s. I asked him, “Why are they coming to you?” His answer did not surprise me. “They come to me when they figure out that it is all going to end.”

Significance is a shift from what go I get to what can I give.

There is a deceit about worldly success perched upon money, fame and power that leads people to believe they are “bullet-proof.” Hero’s are not deceived. Rather they no longer think about what they can get, but now focus on what they can give—significance. 

Act Four—Legacy

The last day is always at hand. Hero’s truly think ahead. They are thinking about the finish line. 

Finishing strong is not easy. You want what you do to matter in the end. Legacy is about producing impact and influence that extends beyond you're earthly existence. It possesses a love that is sincere. It means honoring others above yourself. 

It’s never too early to consider, “What kind of legacy will I leave?” 

The Finish Line

I am not sure what “Act” you find yourself in as you read this. But I am sure you think about being the hero of your life’s race. You want what you do to matter. 

So, imagine yourself 10 to 15 years from now. Which ACT will you be living out?

Now ask yourself, “What will you think will be most important to you?”

Now imagine your last day. Yes, your very last day—taking account of your hero’s journey.

What are you doing today to prepare yourself for that reality? 

G.K. Chesteron wrote, “I had always felt life first as a story—and if there is a story there is a story teller.”

It is never too early to think about finishing strong.

“Everything begins with an idea.”

These words written by Earl Nightingale nearly 75 years ago are still true today.

Ideas have the power to change change lives, unlock possibilites and inspire hearts. Ideas open doors and are the pathway to creating our best futures. The best way to produce great ideas is reading. Research has shown that reading boosts our mental capacity and creativity

A Habit of Success

Reading is a habit that produces uncommon success. Reasearch shows that 85% of self-made millionaires read two or more books every month? 

The great industrialist Harvey Firestone said, “Capital isn’t that important in business. Experience isn’t that important. You can get both of these things. What is important is ideas.”

Reading great books sparks creativity, peaks curiosity and engages our brains to think in new and exciting ways that produce great ideas. Would you be shocked to learn that 33% of high school graduates and 42% of college graduates will never read another book after they graduate.

Achieve Amazing in Just 15 Minutes a Day

People tell me all the time they don’t have time to read. Could any of us carve out 15 minutes a day to read? Obviously the answer is yes and if you read for just 15 minutes a day you could finish 30 books a year. 

What are your goals for 2020? By reading great books you’ll generate more ideas and see greater possibilities for achieving your personal, professional, financial and spiritual goals in 2020.

So what are you going to do with that Amazon gift card you received as a gift? Given reading has a very high personal ROI put a few books on your shopping list. Here is a list with links to some of the best books I read in 2019. (These are all affiliate links which means by clicking and buying the book you'll share a little bit of Amazon's wealth with us to keep our work moving—thanks in advance!)

Leadership and Personal Development

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker, PhD.

This book had positively affected the quality of my life for years to come. It's simple, choosing to sleep is a choice and has the power to positively enhance our lives. “There does not seem to be one major organ within the body, or process within the brain, that isn’t optimally enhanced by sleep (and detrimentally impaired when we don’t get enough).” 

The Wise Advocate: The Inner Voice of Strategic Leadership (Columbia Business School Publishing) by Art Kliener 

I am constantly reading about leadership. The was the most influential leadership book I read this year. It helped shape the development of our "Clarity to Win Leadership Experience." It is a cutting edge look at how neuroscience can help develop better leaders and produce winning culture.

Hit Refresh: The Quest to Rediscover Microsoft's Soul and Imagine a Better Future for Everyone by Satya Nadella

The new CEO of Microsoft provides a refreshing (no pun intended) into the critical nature of building great culture, why it is vital and how he has affected cultural change at Microsoft.

The Power of the Other: The startling effect other people have on you, from the boardroom to the bedroom and beyond-and what to do about it. By Daniel Pink

Everything rises and falls with leadership. It's our ability to take people to places where they could not go on their own. You'll discover a powerful model that shows how to create connections with people that bring out the best in people.

Raise Your Thinking

The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt

My daughter-in-law, who is a high school teacher and coach, recommended this one to me. Wow! It powerfully explores how students inability to think critically and engage with ideas collides with three fundamental psychological principles and what happens when parents and educators—acting with the best of intentions—implement policies that are inconsistent with those principles. It was one of the best books I've read not only this year but in the past few years.

Curious: The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends On It by Ian Leslie

This book has been out awhile. I read it a second time this year when I was preparing for our Leadership Experience. Amazing comes to life when we nurture, develop and explore our curiosity. Curiosity combined with focus are the super skills of this generation. 

Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better by Brant Hansen

I read this book for a second time this year. I think it's that good. I was drawn in as soon as I read, "Your life will become less stressful when you give up your right to anger and offense." Brant Hansen is a Christian radio show host and his candid and transparency make this book a fun and insightful read.

Faith and Spiritual Development

Knowing Christ Today: Why We Can Trust Spiritual Knowledge by Dallas Willard

This is not a new book. I've read it before and I read it again this year. Dallas Willard is one of my favorite authors. He died in 2013. He was one of the most beloved professors in USC history.

Why read this book? I think the Director of Religious Life at USC sums it up well, "Dallas Willard bridged the divide between philosophy and theology and showed us all how to bring together our spiritual and scholarly lives in a meaningful way." 

It's not a quick read, but it will take you places and expose you to think in ways that lead to the truth we all crave.

Fearless Prayer: Why We Don't Ask and Why We Should by Craig Hazen

I've seen Craig Hazen speak many times. His warmth and authenticity draw you in and his writing reflects the same qualities. It is a short read that takes what could easily be very complex and makes it simple, real and applicable. 

Biography

Miracle at Merion: The Inspiring Story of Ben Hogan's Amazing Comeback and Victory at the 1950 U.S. Open by David Bennett

I love biographies. Ben Hogan's life story is inspiring and intriguing. After surviving a near-fatal car crash in 1949, Hogan was not expected to ever play golf again. This book chronicles Hogan journey back to competitive golf and his triumphant victory in the 1950 U. S. Open at Merion.  

When Life Grabs You by the Baseballs: Finding Happiness in Life's Changeups by Jon Peters

Jon Peters was a record-setting high school pitcher who was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated when he was a teenager! By every outward appearance he had it all—but he didn't. Jon candor about his journey from stardom to defeat and finding the path to live a victorious life is inspiring.

Leaders are Readers

Knowledge is the frontier of tomorrow and it has never been more accessible than it is today. One of the most important aptitudes for achievement and contribution is unfortunately a mystery to the majority of people—simply because they choose not to read. Make reading a priority in 2020—a 15 minute daily commitment and you'll finish 30 books.

What did you read in 2019 that I should put on my reading list. I'd love if you'd leave your recommendation in the comments below.

Be persistent in your purpose! Think of your purpose as your divine appointment with your greatest calling. It is not discovered or perfected in comfort, but refined in humility, grace, resilience, vision and intentionality. 

Purpose evolves without regard to our age. It should be our coveted companion that we care for and nuture. I think the power in our purpose is ultimately a reflection of our response to the changing seasons of life. I find it ironic that age never appeared to be relevant to God. Thus, “It’s never to late to be who you might have been." (more…)

Be grounded in your choices. We make choices all day long. It is estimated that we make 35,000 choices a day . But each and every day there are a precious few choices we make that largely determine the course and trajectory of our lives.

Columbia University researcher Sheena Iyengar found that out of these 35,000 choices, we get bogged down by as many as 70 decisions a day. When you are grounded in your choices you’ll use these 70 choices to maximize your potential for growing your influence, increasing your impact and expanding your contribution.  (more…)

Be visionary in your perspective. DeWitt Jones, the award winning photographer and speaker, says, “Vision is the ability to see what everyone else sees and to see something different.” 

Vision is personal and marks your divine birthright. It’s not something foreign or undiscoverable because it was implanted on your heart. Complacency and routine hide it from view. But when you begin to see what only you can see and bring it sharply into view you’ll grow your influence, increase your impact and expand your contribution.  

(more…)

Be resilient in your failings. We prefer comfort over struggle. If we are honest, we prefer comfort above most things. Failing brings us face-to-face with our fears. Strange and maybe counterintuitive, but when it comes to  growing your influence, increasing your impact and expanding your contribution fear points you positively in the direction of what you have to do.

Ever utter the word, “Can’t!” In the third grade, I wasn’t confident about most things. But I was confident that I didn’t like to do anything that was difficult. Every time I would say, “Can’t,” my third grade teacher, Mrs. Aikens, would reply, “Can’t never did anything.”

(more…)

Be gracious in your victories! What comes to mind first when you read this? Possibly “gracious” is not a label you’d associate with being “victorious?” Certainly not in today’s world—right? The images and words of the victors today are rarely construed as gracious.

Why should you, I, or anyone be gracious in victory? Because it is proven to be a quality essential for growing your influence, increasing your impact and expanding your contribution.

(more…)

It won’t go away. It’s always lingering and begs us to engage with it even when we try to ignore it. That’s what this question does. It engages you and presses you to stretch towards your potential—Who do you have to become to grow your influence, increase your impact and expand your contribution?

A couple weeks ago, I shared five core principles with my ImpACTful Notes subscribers aimed at helping them answer this question. The content clearly resonated with people and their feedback inspired me to provide more insights into this burning question.  (more…)

Don’t look now, but the year is coming to a close. Do you have clarity? If you sat down today, to write a headline to describe your year, how would it read?

A little over 20 years ago my headline would have read, “Houston, We Have a Problem!”  (more…)

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