Do you want to be the locomotive in your life or the caboose? I assume you would prefer to be the locomotive. Being the locomotive means you get to take the lead and see a lot more in the process. Cabooses can be comfortable to live in, but cabooses never get to pull the train.
In simple terms, being the locomotive means you get to design your future and your life. The key point here is that you must never let anyone else decide what success means for you. Only you can decide what a successful life would look like. Another way to look at this process is to be as proactive as possible and not be reactive at all.
Your Gifts
Each of us is blessed with gifts, both physical and mental. We must strive to discern what our gifts are as early as possible in our lives. Then, the next step is to determine how we can best use these gifts to create a life of purpose or a life of success.
Some individuals are natural athletes. Others are gifted at singing on key or painting masterpieces of art. Still others are great leaders and have the innate gift for leadership, whether in business or politics. Whatever our gifts, they are not to be wasted or misused.
Your Passion
Each of us is passionate about certain things in life. What are those aspects of life that provide joy or great satisfaction for you in doing them? When life works for you or when something creates great pleasure “…there is your treasure.” as Saint Augustine once wrote.
Your Plan
I have come to realize that all of us need to write or prepare a life plan that sets forth the major goals for our lives. Such a life plan will always be a work in progress. We will revise and rewrite it many times over, as we mature, experience life, and gain wisdom. The critical element here is that we should write it down.
Your Legacy
I have written in previous posts and in my little booklet, “The Success Playbook for Everyone,” that the most significant part of our life will be the legacy that we leave behind. Make sure you are clear on what that will be.
Links
Internal: https://whitebeardwisdom.com/product/the-success-playbook-for-everyone/
External: https://theasianantiquarian.com/