Here's a strange question: If you were to open the paper tomorrow morning and see your obituary, what would it say? What would others say about you? Your works, your deeds? Your legacy?
Consider Aristotle Onassis's verdict on his own life:
"I have just been a machine for making money. I seem to have spent my life in a golden tunnel, looking for the outlet which would lead to happiness. But the tunnel kept going on. After my death there will be nothing left."
At some point, the focus of a successful life must shift from the "golden tunnel" of wealth to something greater. Ultimately, our life will be defined by how we create significance for ourselves and others. This means we have to invest our time, talent and resources for mutual benefit. Using our personal equity and energy in this way means we will make decisions based on abundance rather than the fear of scarcity.
It begs the question, whom do we serve and for what purpose?
For most of us the answer would be "ourselves" and to "be comfortable". But we all know that those answers will lead to a weak obituary. For individuals and institutions, ethical stewards chart meaningful enterprises in line with Robert Byrne's insight: "The purpose of life is a life of purpose."
There are only so many mountains we can climb. How do I know when I have reached the top? And why is there always another mountain which is taller? I believe the ultimate answer lies in priorities and balance - learning our purpose and then acting upon it. "Life is difficult - far more difficult than living a directionless, random life," said M Scott Peck in his best-seller, "The Road Less Traveled".
PURPOSE
P - Planning: No matter how much we want something, we can never attain sustained success unless we plan to do so. The vision focuses on a far off destination, a map, a constant assessment of the progress. The journey requires forward-thinking, keeping "the end in mind". Some call this endsight.
U - Understanding: It takes great understanding and conviction of endsight to become the best "you" - the best you can be. If the mission is to gain more, more, more, we will end up operating from scarcity because more and more is impossible. But if we see our mission as a calling, if we operate from abundance, if we relax and be ourselves, we can find inner peace.
R - Respect: "It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving," said Mother Theresa. This about how we deal with others. Do they feel better about themselves when they spend time with you? How many people would truly call you their friend? True service is performed without expectations of a payback.
P - Priority: Not only do we need respect and a right attitude to live a life of purpose but we also have to "do the right things right". I like what Dan Sullivan says: "If you work hard to strengthen your weaknesses, you will end up with strong weaknesses." Living a life on purpose requires management of resources. We must prioritise our time, talent and treasures. Albert Nobel saw his life from an entirely different perspective because he read his "obituary." … a fluke. But he had the courage to affect changes.
O - Optimising: Living a life "on purpose" requires knowing the difference between maximising and optimising. Maximising is unrealistic. Optimising is about recognising our strengths, weaknesses and limitations and optimising the results.
S - Serenity
E - Enthusiasm
Sunida Kuvanant is the founder of Sunida Kuvanant and Associates.