It was around this time last year when in a whirlwind of emotions and confusion around what I'm supposed to be doing for the rest of my life that I decided to take a personal day off from work, write my eulogy and plan my life.
Sound depressing? Stick with me it gets better.
At the end of 2015, I completed a Lifestyle Audit. I'd never heard of a Lifestyle Audit before, I just knew something wasn't working and was in desperate need of figuring out what it was. The audit helped me imagine what I'd be doing 20 years down the road, take inventory of how I was feeling and create my personal mission and vision. The handbook was created by someone I love and trust (Quina LaRae ~ seriously, she's a strategy ninja ya'll) so I didn't hesitate once the tool was in my hand. Here's what I wrote.
Click the photo & download your own Lifestyle Audit Handbook. (For free!)
With mission and vision in hand, I resolved to watch less TV and read more books moving into the New Year. A friend of mine recommended picking up a copy of Living Forward by Michael Hyatt. It was a quick read that provided very specific steps and tools to create a Life Plan. I'd never heard of a Life Plan before and I still felt like I was losing my mind so I took a personal day off from work and did exactly what Hyatt suggests and started writing my eulogy.
Was the thought of writing my own eulogy something I looked forward to? Nope. Do I regret doing it? Nope. It was one of the most powerful exercises I've ever experienced and almost a year later it has proved to be an invaluable resource. (Insert happy to be alive dance)
A few tears later and I was ready to move on to the next step in creating my Life Plan. I won't go into the intricacies but I do have a few things worth sharing.
Here's what I wrote...
Click on the photo for a direct link to purchase Living Forward by Michael Hyatt
...and here I am during the closing prayer after preaching, which I do once a month thanks to Awakenings Movement.
Photo Credit: Melvin Meade
...and here I am at the end of a Contemplate Houston gathering, which I've been blessed to curate weekly, again thanks to Awakenings Movement.
Contemplate Houston Family
Here's what I wrote about work...and how I was feeling about work in general.
And here I am about to make my first delivery for Joy to the Table. A business I started and am running out of my home.
So in a way this month I'm celebrating an anniversary. I've set aside a day to review, reimagine and adjust my mission, vision and Life Plan. My friend Aryol Prater says, "We have an opportunity to write a new story with God. It's a way to live a fuller life."
I don't know how the plans will ultimately unfold but I have tremendous trust in my co-author. With Him all things are possible.
And the LORD answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. Habakuk 2:2
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If you're interested in being part of a community book read of Living Forward beginning in June (2017) send me a note here.
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May your days be filled with compassion, your faith remain strong, may growth be your compass and joy fill your tables.
~Tia
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