by The Howitzer
This summer, I spent a good amount of time working systematically through a Life Planning Model that we have developed here at RAL. You might be able to even say that this model is “the vision” we are trying to share. Years ago, I worked for a group that was really good about perpetuating the vision they were trying to spread. We created a diagram that captured the essence of what we were about and as we met with people interested in our organization one of the first things we would do is share “the vision”. Some would jump on board and others would bail quickly, but one thing was clear: they understood what we were about.
The same is true here at RAL. We want you to be clear about what we are trying to accomplish. Our dream is to come along side of men (and there families for that matter) and help them gain clarity about what they are giving their lives to. We are sick of seeing men flopping around life with no unifying sense of direction or purpose. Sometimes it looks like a bunch of fish that have been spit up on the bank of life and they are not sure how to get back in the water. While we will be the first to admit that our lives are not perfect and we are not the ultimate examples of what to do, the thing that may separate us from our peers is at least we know where we are failing and where we are succeeding. Most of the guys that I admire to the point of wanting to emulate have success in each of these key areas. Most people I know are doing well in some areas and are struggling in others. That is me for sure!
Every year I go to the eye doctor and he re-examines my eyes to see what the state of my vision is. It’s tough getting old. I used to be able to see perfectly, then I couldn’t see far away and now I can’t see far away or close. I guess soon I will be blind. But my ophthalmologist examines my eyes and adjusts my prescription for my glasses. This model we are prescribing is simply a way for you to evaluate how you are living your life so that you can make some adjustments along the way. If you have lived any time at all you can probably testify about how foggy things can get. We are suggesting that by having a lens to look through you can regain your clarity in living your life more quickly.
Simply put we suggest that you get a plan in 7 key areas.
1. Life Purpose
2. Faith
3. Family
4. Finances
5. Fitness
6. Friendship
7. Fwork- Sorry about the spelling, needed another F
I had one of my mentors who was great on the vision side relay to me a criticism that someone had leveled at him related to a specific method of accomplishing a goal he had. He asked the person about their game plan for accomplishing that goal and they revealed that they didn’t have a plan. To which my friend said, “I tell you what, if you come up with a plan let me know, but in the meantime I will keep working my bad plan over embracing your no-plan.” Point is this, you don’t have to embrace what we are saying but you must get a plan to living out your life. Even if everything doesn’t work out perfectly give yourself a shot at making it. Get off the bank! Get back in the water! We were intended to live an abundant life. LIVE LARGE!
