Living With Purpose--Part 2

“The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose.”
Rick Warren

On Monday I wrote about 4 powerful insights from the book, A Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Today I wish to continue by adding three more important messages to my list of lessons learned from the book. They are as follows:

5. Focused Attention

What we tend to focus on we become. If we pay attention to all of the negativity that surrounds us and our lives, than negative things will tend to continue because we will be looking for them. However, if we can shift our attention and focus our minds on the good, than great things can happen. We must remember that the more we think about something, the more it takes a hold of us and becomes part of our lives.

6. Avoid Short-Term Thinking

The author of the books writes, “The most damaging aspect of contemporary living is short-term thinking.” Short-term thinking causes us to sacrifice our long-term goals and success often for meaningless and insignificant reasons. Instead of only focusing on the “here and now”, we should look to how a decision will impact us beyond today and how it will contribute to our purpose in life. Today’s choices will soon become tomorrow’s results. If we can learn to raise our vision and understand our decisions today will impact our lives tomorrow and beyond, we will be more inclined to make wise choices. Today is simply the “tip of the iceberg.”

7. We Must have Purpose

In the book the author states that life without purpose is “motion without meaning, activity without direction, and events without reason.” Indeed, if we don’t have a purpose for our life and goals that inspire and drive us each day, it is difficult if not impossible for us to reach our full potential and really enjoy life. Creating a purpose for our lives gives us meaning, motivates us, and causes our inner fire to continually burn. Great leaders have their eye set on a purpose. Developing a purpose for our lives is crucial to our ultimate happiness and success.

As we focus our attention, think long-term, and determine a purpose for our lives, we will be much more likely to achieve our dreams. Following these ideas as well as the thoughts presented on my blog on Monday from this book will help us to be successful leaders and live a meaningful life.