25 Surefire Ways to Jumpstart Your Life
By Monty J. Sharp

Have you ever had that nagging feeling that there was something “missing” in your life or career? Maybe you’ve felt that your life or career could be more fulfilling or satisfying. Or, perhaps, there’s simply a certain palpable sense of dissatisfaction with the way things are now.

Whatever the case, for many, the status quo just isn’t “cutting it” any longer and they want something more – or at least different. However, like so many, we simply plod on through life day after day, year after year wishing things were different until one day we wake up and find out we’ve let our lives slip by without taking any steps towards meaningful change. Then we spend the rest of our days longingly wondering, “What if…?” It doesn’t have to be that way. You really can have a life or career full of meaning, satisfaction and purpose. “But how?”, you may ask, “I’m too old” “too set in my ways” “too established” “I don’t have enough education” “not enough money” “not enough time” Nonsense! A wise friend of mine once said, “Excuses are nothing more than a lie with the skin of a reason around them.” So, you can spend your life making excuses why you can’t make substantial changes, or you can get busy taking small (or large) but decisive steps towards the life or career you desire. The choice is entirely yours.

Over the next several weeks, I’ll give you 25 practical and actionable ways to give yourself the “kick in the pants” you may need to finally “get in the game” of life and start achieving the life and / or career you really, really want.

This week, in Part One, we’ll begin by doing some genuine appraisal of our life and/or career – where we are now and where we want to be.

Part One: Get Real!

1. Begin with the “End” in mind. If you were writing your own eulogy, what would you most want people to remember about you and your life? Answering that basic question will give you a good idea about where you are now and where you want to go. Try it – even if it does seem a bit morbid.

2. Make the “To Do” list of a lifetime. For many, September 11, 2001 was a watershed moment in life. Events such as that can cause us to stop and reflect on the brevity of life and bring the really important into sharp focus. Make a list of 100 things you absolutely must do before you “exit” this life. Don’t be too linear or pragmatic about it either. Just let your imagination go wild. See how many things you can check off this year. Get a few friends and make a game of it.

3. Your mission, should you choose to accept it… Write down your life’s purpose in a Mission Statement. It doesn’t have to be long and elaborate – 25 words or less. Ask yourself, “What are my passions?” “How do I want to live my life?” “What drives (motivates) me most?” Your life mission statement becomes the “beacon” around which you begin to orient your life, choices, career, etc. Frame it and put it up where you can see it every day. Then SEE it every day.

4. Find out how you’re “wired”. Let’s face it; becoming a Professional bullfighter may not be the best career choice for you – especially if you’re the really compassionate or empathetic type. Take a temperament or personality assessment such as the Keirsey Temperament Sorter (www.keirsey.com) or a behavioral assessment instrument such as the Personal Insights Profile (http://www.workteamcoaching.com/assessment_programs.htm) to find out what makes you “tick” and help you decide the types of interests or careers you’re best suited for.

5. Chronicle the “journey”. Yeah, I know what you may be thinking, “Oh no, not another ‘keep a journal’ thing.” Yep. Why? Because keeping a day-to-day or week-to-week account of your experiences along the way will help you make more sense of your life’s direction and purpose as well as giving you a clearer picture of where you’ve been – so maybe you won’t keep making the same mistakes over and over again.

In Part Two, we’ll take a look at some resources you may need to assist you with the process.

>> Click here for Part 2 >