Now that you’ve got a personal mission statement (you did take the time to write your personal mission statement, right?) and you’ve got a clear idea of what you want your life to be about, it’s time to honestly evaluate why you’re doing what you’re doing and put the kibosh on those things that are leading you away from your mission.
The truth is we waste a lot of time, energy, and money over the course of our lives doing things to
- compensate for our insecurities
- run from our fears
- gain affirmation
- measure up to other people’s expectations
- escape pain or boredom
Often we’re not aware of our true motives. Sometimes we start doing something out of noble motives, but then we begin to drift or things get out of control.
For example…
If you’re working 60+ hours a week, is it really because you love your job and want to serve in that capacity as much as you can? Or is it because you’re afraid of failure? Or perhaps because you feel like you never measured up and this is your chance to be somebody? Or do feel like you need the house, the car, and the vacations to fit in and be successful.
If you spend a lot of your time and money shopping for clothes is it because you have a passion for fashion? Or is it because you long for people to notice you and compliment you on how you look?
Are you drinking too much, eating too much, watching TV too much, playing too much Farmville, or overly absorbed in a hobby or recreation because it’s a comfortable escape?
Are you staying in a dating relationship with someone you know isn’t good for you because you hate being alone or are afraid of an uncomfortable break-up?
Are you serving in a certain role because you can’t say no or don’t want to disappoint someone or feel like you have to to be a good mom, dad, employee, Christian, or ____?
Are you spending a lot of time blogging, tweeting, facebooking because you want attention and affirmation?
You Don’t Have Time for That Stuff
If you take the time to examine your motives, you may find a number of things you’re doing for underlying reasons you weren’t aware of, things that are contributing to your stress and busyness, things that are leading you away from your dreams instead of towards them. These are things you can cut out or cut back on if you remind yourself of the truth:
You are important, one-of-a-kind, and have a unique mission to accomplish in this world.
You are too important to unknowingly waste your time running from fears, numbing pain and boredom, and pursuing affirmation for its own sake. You don’t have time NOT to examine your motives.
Where have you seen people waste time and energy motivated by things they may not have even been aware of? Where have you seen this in your own life?
5) Create a Personal Mission Statement <– Things You Don’t Have Time NOT to Do –> 7) Focus on Your Strengths
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