Dont Let Life Happen to You

Don't Let Life Happen To You

It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live. - Marcus Aurelius (121-80 AD, Roman Emperor, Philosopher)

It's hard to believe that we are nearing the end of another year. As I write this, snow is falling in Colorado, the makings of a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner are in the kitchen, and our newspapers are filled with holiday ads. The end of the year always tends to be a time of reflection as we look back on the accomplishments of the past year and look forward to a new year. It's also a time to reflect on our lives and ensure that we are living the life we want.

It's easy to look at ones life and be content with where you are. You have a good job, a spouse or significant other, children, a nice car, and all of the trappings of success. Clearly you are well on your way to success. But the real question is, are you happy with what you are doing?

No, this is not an article about the spiritual side of your life. Normally these articles focus all of the attention on management and leadership concepts that you can use to shape your career, improve your performance, and move up the ladder of success. But as we enter a new year it is important to take a step back and make sure that the path you are on is the right path for you.

You see life has a way of just happening to people. Your first job tends to be the job that you were first offered, in an industry that may or may not really interest you, doing what you may or may not have a real talent in. Your career then tends to grow from there. You get promoted or change companies, but tend to stay with what you are familiar with and what you have done in the past. Months turn into years and at some point in time you find that you are on a career path that you never really intended to be on at all. It may be a great, wonderful career path doing all of the things that are important to you, or it may be a path where you have had some successes, but don't find inspiring.

In short, your life has been on autopilot. That is when you know that life has happened to you.

You didn't plan to be where you are. And while you are not unhappy with where you are, you are not happy with it either. It does not speak to your inner being.

The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose. - Richard Leider

As you sit down in the coming weeks to plan your new years resolutions, take a few extra minutes to think about where you are in your life and where you are in your career. If you have not made a life plan in the past, start one now. Identify your core values. Identify what is important to you in life and in your career. Figure out were you want to be in 10 years and make sure your current path will take you there.

Your life is a fairy tale, with the journey unscripted. Take control of your life and write your own script. Understand your desires and passions and build a plan for your life that will be a source of happiness and pride. It may be in management and leadership. It may be in the arts. But whatever it is, make sure that you control your life and that your life does not just happen to you.

David Meyer, owner of Coaching for Tomorrow, has more than 25 years of management and leadership experience, having worked for companies such as Nobil Shoes, McDonough, Allied Stores, MCI and Nextel Communications. His mantra, "You Win With People" is based on the deep-seated belief that hiring, developing, and promoting the right people can lead to organizational and financial success. As a management and leadership coach, David works to instill that same passion in his clients by helping them understand the importance of strong leadership, strong teamwork, and strong players.

David has a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Elmhurst College and has been certified by both ACTION International as a Business Coach and the Coach Training Alliance. He also has received his CTM from Toastmasters. He is an Officer in the Denver Coach Federation and a facilitator/trainer for the Coach Training Alliance and ACTION International of Colorado.

Married with two adult daughters, David is active in his local Kiwanis club and Crossroads Community Church. He enjoys reading, golf, scuba diving, and Civil War reenacting.

www.coachingfortomorrow.com

---

Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Your Perfect Partner

A woman we'll call "Jane" thought she was a great... Read More

Life or Lifestyle?

"When you live the life you were meant to live,... Read More

Creating Happiness

Whatever we want in life, a partner, more money, good... Read More

What The Bleep Are You So Happy About?

Could you stand to have a lot more happiness in... Read More

Love, Uncles, and Etymology

Thwack! . . . Thwack! . . . Thwack! Steven... Read More

Letting Go of Anger and Awaken to Lifes Grand Aventures

Anger can make us feel good and enlivened for a... Read More

Why We Have Problems? A Coach Debates

As a coach, I often ask myself the question why... Read More

The Happiness of Others

Is there any necessary connection between our actions and the... Read More

How To Be Outrageously Happy

You can be as happy as you want whenever you... Read More

Got Play?

Passion Love Action You! Playing with your own divinity, spirit,... Read More

Who Controls YOUR Happiness?

Where does happiness fit on a scale of 1 to... Read More

Getting Connected

"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise... Read More

Be Happy, Join The Wednesday Worry Club

Of all the people who know me, no one would... Read More

Inevitable Changes and Changeless Connections

Sometimes change is pleasant. A child is born. A new... Read More

Why Choosing To Be Happy Is Not Enough

I talked in a recent article about how every moment... Read More

Norman Rockwell ? The Man Who Created His Own Reality

In preparation for a class I taught today, I spent... Read More

The Art Of Happy Living

What do you think about happiness? A philosophical approach to... Read More

SOLD! Again! Contrast Can Work FOR You

Have you ever had an experience where everything you wanted... Read More

Happiness Is Truly M.A.G.I.C.A.L. (TM)

The year is almost half over. Many of us are... Read More

True Happiness

Most people look outside of themselves as the cause of... Read More

14 Habits For A Happier You and I

Many people exercise, play sports, or know someone who does.... Read More

Get Right! Make a Difference

Want to make a difference? What can one person do?... Read More

Achievement and Happiness the 80/20 Way

If there was ever a principle that was responsible for... Read More

Happiness

Without getting into the core basics of philosophy, I will... Read More

Personal Alchemy, Turn Your Suffering into Gold

I am sure it is safe to say that each... Read More