Begin With the End In Mind - Tips to Make Your Life More Meaningful

What would you change if you knew you would be dead in 1 day? Would you spend more time at work, pouring over budget figures, and trying to figure out how you were going to make this quarter's numbers? Would you read just 1 more e-mail from a complaining co-worker? Would you check your voicemail one last time? What would your obituary say about your life?

If you're like me, I'd bet you wouldn't do anything work-related. In fact, I would bet you would see if there was any way to extend that 1 day into 6 months or more, because there is SO much you have yet to accomplish. You would vow to make a difference in your family, with your friends, in your community, maybe even in the world. Maybe you'd see if you could sky dive, climb Pike's Peak, or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.

If you knew when the end was, I'd guess you would do all those things you've been meaning to do, but that you just never had the time to do.

Guess what? You won't know when the end is, so you better start living like you were dying today! Dr. Steven Covey, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People talks about how we each must begin with the end in mind. This is as valuable advice for your life, just as it is valuable for goal setting, projects, or anything else you do in your work.

Take the time to write your personal mission statement. Franklin Covey has a great free tool to help you do this, located at

In The News:


Have an inspirational story? We're all ears
Orlando Sentinel, FL - 6 hours ago
Do you have an interesting story to tell about your journey to a more active lifestyle? It can be a story about your significant weight loss, your training ...

DevilsDigest.com

Duck Awards Banquet
The Oregonian - OregonLive.com, OR - 4 hours ago
Sunday night Nick Reed was named team MVP, Jeremiah Johnson was given the Most Inspirational Player Award, and Terence Scott was given the Most Improved ...
Nick Reed Tabbed as Ducks' Most Outstanding Player GoDucks.com
all 8 news articles

This is a Film About How One Remarkable Life Can Inspire Many ...
MarketWatch - 2 hours ago
"Bridging The Gap" is an inspirational documentary film about an equally inspirational teacher who has raised the quality of life for hundreds of students ...

Voice of America

As proud African American, Rice calls Obama 'inspirational'
AFP - Nov 5, 2008
WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday called President-elect Barack Obama "inspirational," saying his election marked "an ...
Video: Rice Congratulates Obama on Victory AssociatedPress
Rice calls Obama "inspirational", promises smooth transition Hindustan Times
Rice hails 'inspirational' Obama The Australian
International Herald Tribune - Radio Netherlandsall 321 news articles

New York Times

'Milk' brilliant, inspirational
Chicago Daily Herald, IL - Nov 25, 2008
Dan White (Josh Brolin) chats with fellow city supervisor Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) in the tragic fact-based drama "Milk." By Jamie Sotonoff | Daily Herald ...
Sean Penn Stars In Inspirational Gay Rights Tale "Milk" NY1
Get the Spill on 'Milk' NBC Philadelphia
Play It Again, Harvey East Bay Express
San Jose Mercury News - Queertyall 711 news articles

IDCA conducts inspirational forum
IndiaPost.com, CA - Nov 28, 2008
CHICAGO: In its continuing series of monthly forums, IDCA held an educational and motivational forum on Saturday, November 22 at the Oakbrook Library. ...

Paralyzed School Shooting Survivor Writes Her Inspirational Story
MarketWatch - Nov 24, 2008
PADUCAH, Ky., Nov 24, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Dec. 1 will mark the 11th anniversary of the Heath High School shooting in Paducah, Ky., ...

Goal.com

Inspirational Moore meets toughest challenge head-on
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - Nov 27, 2008
But some things are what they are. Last weekend in Brisbane, Moore surprised his teammates, perhaps even himself, by leading out Queensland Roar at Suncorp ...
Top of the table clash for Queensland and Sydney ABC Online
Kosmina's men finally make a point Sydney Morning Herald
all 261 news articles

Seattle Post Intelligencer

Practical and inspirational, 'Fuel' faces the facts of the energy ...
Seattle Post Intelligencer - Nov 20, 2008
By SEAN AXMAKER The rallying cry of director/activist Joshua Tickell's "Fuel" is not as catchy as "Save the cheerleader, save the world," but it is ...

Inspirational painting for Xmas cards may fetch up to £70000
Aberdeen Press and Journal, UK - Nov 29, 2008
By Gillian Bell A PAINTING by a north-east artist which inspired one of Hallmark’s most popular Christmas cards is expected to fetch up to £70000 when it ...
inspirational - Google News

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