Life. Plans. Wow.
So, once I got started, I realized that I am much too much of a "free spirit" to set a "life plan". (Doesn't that sound like a contradiction to my earlier declaration that I like control?!) I like to know the direction that I am headed and the spirit in which I'm doing it, but I'm not sure I like seeing every step written out in measurables on paper. I am a person, a soul, a human being…not a business with quantifiable returns.
I did find it very satisfying to do the first two steps (Outcomes and Priorities) of Michael Hyatt's plan, however, beyond that (the Action Plans) I couldn't bring myself to commit to. You see, I am one of those people who likes to have "check-ups" every once in awhile with Husband just to make sure we're still heading in the right direction. In fact, we used Simple Mom's Goal Setting Materials to make sure we were seeing eye to eye. We do that sort of thing at the beginning of each new year (the State of Our Union Address) and then check back in sometime in the summertime.
But, below are my first two steps in Michael Hyatt's form of life-planning. The Outcomes part especially required me to really think of what my hopes were for the end of my life. That, friends, is a hard thing to think about when you have preschoolers at home.
OUTCOMES
- HUSBAND–I want my husband to remember me as the love of his life, the woman he met when they were just teenagers. I want him to think of me as a woman who respected, pursued, loved, and cherished him…each day in at least some small way. I want him to think of me as a godly woman who pursued intimacy with the Lord, and as a woman who nudged him closer to the heart of God. I hope he remembers me as a vibrant woman who loved him with no end.
- CHILDREN–For my children, I hope to bring them up well. To teach them to be advocates for themselves. To teach them to have integrity and to be of strong character. I hope that they remember me as a soft-hearted but strong woman, who loved them mightily. I hope that they remember hearing the words "I love you" more than any other. I hope that they look to me for wisdom and understanding, compassion and direction. I pray that they also see me as a godly woman who always pointed them to the Lord.
- HOME–I want my home to be an open and comfortable place for our family and friends. I hope that I will have created an atmosphere of acceptance and relaxation. I hope that I have a created a place where my children will want to bring their friends, rather than escape at their first chance. I believe this has more to do with the tone of the household than the decorations. I hope that we stay in one area for a good long time, in order to put down roots.
PRIORITIES
- God
- Self (Health, Rest, Growth)–put myself second because I can't love others well without taking care of myself…I would not put myself above others in love, but I do need to take care of myself in the essential areas of health, rest, and growth.
- Husband
- Children
- Family
- Home
- Friends
- Ministry
Phew, I feel like I just ran a mental marathon. I'll fill you in on my reflections tomorrow, and also add in some additional resources to help you if you want to do something similar. :)