Living Forward

A Life Plan is the app you need to stay on the path to the life you desire. Without a plan, chances are good you’ll end up at an unintended destination: an unhappy marriage, an unfulfilling career, in bad health, or all of the above. (Location 282)

At this stage of life—married with three little kids—I could see my life heading down the wrong path. These people were highly successful in one area of their lives—money—yet bankrupt in areas that mattered most. (Location 296)

As I reconsidered things, my definition of success began to change. What previously motivated me lost its attraction. I was no longer about income, possessions, or title. I wanted more but was unsure what I wanted more of. So I quit. It made no sense to some, but it made complete sense to me. (Location 299)

The experience of creating a Life Plan, regularly reviewing it, and updating it as necessary, has been transformational for us both. (Location 322)

In this book we want to provide the clarity you need to articulate a vision for your life—your whole life—and develop a plan for getting to a better destination. (Location 330)

Living Forward will equip you to make better decisions in every area of your life. The good news is that we have more control than most of us realize. Each day is filled with thousands of opportunities to change the story of our lives. We want to help you make the most proactive, intentional, and beneficial decisions possible. (Location 336)

Here’s a road map for Living Forward. (Location 347)

Many people get into their forties, fifties, and sixties, look around, and realize they have been pulled out to sea. Perhaps their health is failing, their marriage is broken, or their career is stalled. Maybe they have lost their spiritual connection, and life seems meaningless and unfulfilling. (Location 396)

Drifting can have serious consequences, not only for you, but for those you love and those counting on you. (Location 419)

Without a plan, we have no way of knowing. There’s no real sense of urgency, no reason to seize the opportunity, and no sense that we might lose it if we don’t. (Location 430)

Life Planning is the exact opposite of the drift. The drift is about passivity. Life Planning is about proactivity. The drift is about blaming our circumstances or other people. Life Planning is about taking responsibility. The drift is about living without a plan. Life Planning is about having a plan and working it. This book is organized according to three goals we want to help you accomplish: (Location 451)

When we say Life Plan, here’s what we mean: (Location 481)

One of the best questions you can ask when something negative happens is this: What does this experience make possible? (Location 520)

The same is true when it comes to your Life Plan. It is the result of answering three powerful questions. Let’s consider them one at a time. (Location 525)

Balance is giving not equal but appropriate attention to each of the various categories of your life. (Location 616)