Photo by soylentgreen23

I’d venture to guess that most people who suddenly knew what span of time they would spend on this earth would make some changes to to their life. Personally, I would change a few things. I’d add an hour to the day, I’d spend more quality time with my children exploring with them the world around us, and I’d endeavour more creatively to invoke beauty in the lives of others.

I feel as if I have been searching these last few months for a clearer sense of my inner-compass–that something deep within me, under which I can build a fire to give light, warmth, and sustenance to my life and to the lives of those around me. I am a dabbler. I love to research intensely, learn extensively, and embark enthusiastically. But I have yet to find the dabble that grows into a seedling, and then grows into a plant that bears fruit to share with my loved ones.

Beginning with the end in mind, I think about how I would like to end my life. A bit morbid perhaps, but bear with me. By knowing what I would have liked to have accomplished during my lifetime, I can gain a perspective that surpasses the day-to-day and instead shines a light on larger goals based upon the values and principles I hold close to my heart. I am able to pull up out of feelings of the day-to-day endless burden to realize I have a larger purpose to journey toward achievements that are firmly rooted in values of love, sincerity, and dignity.

With a few lifetime goals in mind, I plan my day-to-day accordingly. I have been feeling perpetually physically exhausted for the past 4 years. I can’t spend quality exploration time with my children if I am feeling exhausted, depressed, and burdened. But I can choose to plan which activities to tackle so I am able to really connect with my kids. What are some of the activities I have chosen to move me closer to my goal? Spend time and energy feeding myself and my family healthy foods. Plan activities through out the day that ensure I turn out the lights at 11 PM. “Schedule” day-to-day activities, like cleaning, sorting mail, decluttering, each day so these tasks don’t become monumental time-gobblers. And when I feel like not adhering to these activities, I need to remember that I am not being lazy, but that either I am inhibiting one of the goals I deemed most important to me or that I need to reevaluate.

How do you plan? What keeps you on track? I have a terrible time “keeping on track.” What pumps you up when you are feeling down. Have you ever thought “exercising–I just don’t have time?” Have you ever then realized that by not exercising and taking care of you that you are simply limiting your ability accomplish those goals that take up your exercising time, like that project at work, coaching your child’s sport team, or attending that new computer training class? What are your thoughts?

And by the way, I do not know when my end will come, but I would really like to be able to say that I wouldn’t change a thing I am doing at the point when I do know my end is near. Happy Organizing your life.