In my opinion, one of the worst assumptions you can make in life is assuming that a great life happens automatically.
Assumption: If I just live my life doing the best I can, I will:
- Automatically mature
- Automatically be a good parent
- Automatically not be impacted by things you experienced as a child
- Automatically be healthy
- Automatically be a good citizen
- Automatically be wise
- Automatically be successful
- Automatically be promoted
- Automatically find the right person to marry
- Automatically have a great marriage
- Automatically be able to retire with enough money
- Automatically raise a great family
- Automatically be rich
Reality: These things do not come with age, sometimes age comes alone. Nothing in life is automatic. Success in any area of your life is not automatic. It has to be intentional.
I see way too many people assuming that because they are doing the best they know how that they are actually doing the best they can. They almost NEVER are. Reaching your full potential in any area of life is a result of intentional growth. It is not the result of doing the best you can and hoping that it will all work out how it is supposed to.
Lesson: To live a great life, you need to become intentional about personal growth in every area that impacts your life. You will never know everything you need to know to be perfect, but you need to learn everything you can about the areas of your life that important to you. For example:
- Learning as much as you can about personal finance will set you up to be successful financially
- Learning as much as you can about being a great parent will set you up to raise great kids
- Learning as much as you can about yourself sets you up to be a successful person
- Learning as much as you can about health and fitness sets you up to be in great shape
Action Steps:
- Develop a lifelong learner attitude – Decide you’re going to learn everything you can in life to become the best you can. Ask yourself: What am I doing or what can I do to become a better parent? Better with money? Better relationally? In better shape physically and mentally? Better on the job?
- Design a plan for growth
- Get mentors in every area that you want to grow in, ask them how they became successful
- Read as many books and listen to as many podcasts as you can in those areas
Nothing great in life happens automatically so stop assuming that ____ will get better automatically. It won’t. A great life is built on intentionality.
Be intentional.
Thoughts?
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