“The ideal, or course, is to create one clear center from which you consistently derive a high degree of security, guidance, wisdom and power, empowering your productivity and giving congruency and harmony to every part of your life.” Stephen R. Covey
Now that you have taken the time and energy to carefully clarify your most important beliefs and values it’s time for you to determine “What’s in Your Box.” Not what someone else has put in your box, but rather what you have determined belongs in your box- what you are willing to give your life for.
The reality for most of us is that we live very segmented and chaotic lives. There are a thousand monkey traps all around us and there are a thousand different items in each monkey trap and we have a tendency to run from one trap to another based on the cry of the moment that says “THIS” is what you need to get a hold of, to serve, to give yourself to, to draw your life from. Some times people set the monkey traps with a purpose of trapping us, but many of the traps are set unintentionally, but have the same ultimate effect.
And we soon come to discover that we ultimately live for NO Thing because we are trying to live for everyone else’s thing instead of for OUR “One Thing.”
Example of all of the Monkey Traps we move between on a given day. You start your day and you go to your computer-
Advertising on the website you go to tells you need a new car to live the perfect life and so you set your mind on getting that new car.
Your Facebook friend posts a picture of themselves in Europe and you decide I NEED to go to Europe.
Another Facebook friend sends you a message that they are going to hike the Appalachian trail and they want you to go with them.
Another friend texts you and says they want you to go to a concert with them.
As you pull out of your driveway to go to work you notice your new neighbor has updated all of their landscaping and it looks awesome- time to get to work on your yard.
You go to work and a co-worker shares a new TV series they have been watching, that you must watch.
Another co-worker shares a new killer diet they are using to lose weight. Time to change how you eat.
Another co-worker got some new clothes and looks sharp. Time to go shopping.
Your boss wants you to go golfing with him this weekend and you HAVE to go, if you want to keep in his good graces.
Your spouse calls and says that they just talked to their friend and they want you to go on a cruise with them.
You get home that night and-
Your son wants to do travel AAU baseball, and if he is going to keep up with the other kids he HAS to do it.
You sit down to watch TV and watch a home improvement show and discover that YOUR Kitchen is totally out of date and you MUST do a total kitchen remodel.
The news commentator makes you aware of a huge coming economic risk and that you better be saving a ton of money.
And on and on and on.
The reality is this is how we often live our lives and this is just one day. And we wonder why life seems so out of control. We try to do it all and live for it all with no ultimate purpose and we end up stressed, running in a thousand different directions; unable to do it all and serving a thousand different masters. This is the life of a “thousand things” and it doesn’t work.
When you determine your “One Thing” that will reign supreme in your life then life becomes simpler, easier and decision making becomes clear.
So what is the “One Thing” that everything else in your life will serve. The “One Thing” that is your ultimate driving force and motivation for living and that you are ultimately willing to die for. The “One Thing” is your ultimate master. It is not an imposed master, but a master that you chose to live for and serve and submit that rest of your life to.
Before you move onto the following questions make sure you have a positive state of mind and that you will not be interrupted during this exercise. The answer to this question lays the foundation and sets the direction for the rest of your life. It is your choice and you must make it alone. You must listen to your heart- what lies deepest within you and put only “One Thing” in the box; “One Thing” that you will surrender everything else in your life to.
Knowing what your “One Thing” will change everything. It will provide a brand new clarity and focus. Decision making becomes much easier because you know what matters most and you will be well on your way to a life of significance. So right now, pay the price of admission to enter into the full and abundant life by doing the following exercise and by answering the following questions until you arrive at your “One Thing.”
100.) List the most important things in your life by life area- Physical, Mental/Emotional, Relational, Vocational, Financial, Spiritual, Purposeful, Contribution, etc.- (Just list them as they come to you) (money, success, power, family, health, meaning, God, Etc.) Then check off the least important thing one at a time until you are left with only one thing.
What “One Thing” are you willing to surrender everything else in your life to?
What “One Thing” will everything else in your life serve as master?
What is the foundation of your life, upon which you will build everything else?
If you were on your death bed and you could give your loved ones only one piece of advice what would it be?
What are you willing to die for? (Make it what you live for.)
What’s THE one most important thing in your life?
Then drill deeper- Why is this important? What do you desire? Why?
How does your life give proof that these things are what you value most?
What centers your life? What is your mainspring? What is your guiding light?
Now have your accountability partner, spouse or friends challenge your “One Thing.”
“The secret of success is constancy to purpose.” Benjamin Disraeli
