Living Forward

Living Forward Plot Summary

Introduction

Have you ever felt that life is happening to you rather than for you? Perhaps you've experienced moments when you looked up from your busy routine and wondered, "How did I get here?" This sense of drift—the feeling that you're moving through life without clear direction—is all too common. But what if you could reclaim control of your journey? What if you could design a life that aligns with your deepest values and aspirations? The truth is that most people spend more time planning their next vacation than planning their lives. The consequences of this oversight can be profound: regret, disappointment, and a gnawing sense that we've missed our true calling. Through strategic life planning, you can chart a different course. By understanding where drift happens, designing your legacy with purpose, identifying your core priorities, creating a compelling action plan, and implementing regular reviews, you can transform your life from one of passive acceptance to one of intentional direction. This approach isn't just about professional success—it's about holistic fulfillment across every dimension of your existence.

Chapter 1: Recognize Where Drift Happens

Life drift occurs when we lose sight of our destination and allow external forces to dictate our path. Like a boat without a rudder, we move wherever the currents take us. Drift doesn't happen suddenly; it's the cumulative effect of small, seemingly inconsequential choices—or the absence of conscious choices altogether. Understanding where drift happens is the first crucial step toward reclaiming control of your life's trajectory. Consider Daniel's experience as a mortgage industry executive. By age thirty, he had achieved remarkable success, overseeing hundreds of loan originators across multiple states. The company had gone public, and he was being groomed for the CEO position. Externally, everything looked perfect. Yet Daniel sensed something was fundamentally wrong. Looking around at his industry peers, he noticed a troubling pattern: many were financially successful but paying heavy prices in other areas. Some were divorced or in troubled marriages. Others had challenging relationships with their teenage children. Many couldn't make it through the day without alcohol or medication. They had drifted into lives of imbalance without realizing it. This observation sparked a profound realization for Daniel. Despite his professional achievements, he was heading down a similar path of drift that would likely lead to personal disappointment. He was succeeding in one area of life—money—while potentially bankrupting himself in areas that ultimately mattered more. This awareness prompted him to make a dramatic change: he resigned from his position and took a one-year sabbatical to reconsider his life direction. Drift typically happens for four key reasons. First, unawareness—we simply don't recognize what's happening or what's at stake. Second, distraction—we become so focused on certain aspects of life that we neglect others. Third, overwhelm—we take on too much and convince ourselves the imbalance is temporary. Fourth, deception—we tell ourselves false narratives about our inability to change our circumstances. The consequences of drifting can be severe: confusion about life's purpose, wasted resources on zigzagging paths, missed opportunities that expire forever, unnecessary pain from preventable problems, and ultimately, deep regrets at life's end. These "if onlys" can be heartbreaking: If only I had taken better care of my body. If only I had spent more time with my children. If only I had been brave enough to start my own business. The antidote to drift is awareness followed by intentional action. By recognizing where drift happens in your life, you can begin making conscious choices that align with your true priorities. Remember, while you can't change the past, you do have the power to change your future. The right choices today will radically alter the shape of tomorrow.

Chapter 2: Design Your Legacy with Purpose

Legacy planning begins with a fundamental shift in perspective: starting at the end. Rather than focusing solely on immediate goals or urgent demands, strategic life planning requires you to envision how you want to be remembered when you're gone. This reverse-engineering approach clarifies what matters most and helps you make decisions today that will shape the memories you leave behind. Daniel experienced this truth through his friend Mike's battle with cancer. Despite being physically fit and intellectually sharp, Mike was diagnosed with a terminal illness that profoundly altered his perspective. During lunch with Daniel, Mike confessed that cancer had heightened his awareness of time's passage. "We all die," he said. "I just did not fully realize it before." He expressed regret about not spending more time with the people who mattered most, particularly his wife. Months later, when Daniel visited Mike in the hospital, he found his once-strong friend emaciated and frightened. The experience reminded Daniel that "the setting is part of the rising"—the end of our lives gives meaning to the beginning and middle. Eugene O'Kelly, former CEO of accounting giant KPMG, faced a similar awakening. Diagnosed with late-stage brain cancer at age fifty-three, he was given just three months to live. Rather than despair, O'Kelly determined to "die well." He created a plan to "unwind" important relationships, bringing meaningful closure to each. He focused on creating what he called "perfect moments"—experiences where time stood still, the past was left behind, and the future set aside. By becoming intentional with his remaining time, O'Kelly made a lasting impact despite his short remaining lifespan. To design your own legacy, begin by writing your eulogy as if it were being delivered today. This powerful exercise engages both your head and heart, which is crucial for creating meaningful change. Start by identifying the key relationships in your life—spouse, children, parents, colleagues, friends. For each group, complete the sentence: "I want [person or group] to remember me as..." Be specific and concrete about the memories you hope to create. For example, Karen, a stay-at-home mom, wrote that she wanted her husband Gary to "remember that he was always my very best friend. I want him to remember how much he trusted me and how I always supported, valued, and encouraged his dreams and aspirations." Chad, a high school history teacher, wrote that he wanted his children to "remember me as a father who was deeply involved in their lives... able to talk about anything... intentional in leading our family... teaching them through memorable experiences." When crafting your legacy statements, make them as compelling and specific as possible. Rather than writing "I want Sheila to remember the times we spent together," you might write "I want Sheila to remember times we laughed, times we cried, times we spent discussing things that were important to both of us, and times we just held one another and watched the sunset." The power of this exercise lies in its ability to clarify what you truly value. When you articulate how you want to be remembered, you gain insight into the person you want to become today. Your legacy isn't something that begins after you die—it's being shaped by your actions right now. By designing your legacy with purpose, you can begin creating the memories and impact that will outlive you.

Chapter 3: Identify Your Core Life Priorities

Understanding what matters most to you is essential for charting a meaningful life course. Yet many people allow external expectations—from parents, spouses, employers, or society—to dictate their priorities. The result is often a life that looks successful from the outside but feels empty within. Identifying your true priorities requires honest self-reflection and the courage to choose your own path. When the Great Recession began in 2007, Daniel faced tremendous pressure as his coaching business lost clients rapidly. In what he describes as a "near-death experience" for his company, he and his business partner decided to take a day away to gain clarity. They went to the Deschutes River with their fly rods and journals, separating to reflect individually. When they reconnected, Daniel shared that he felt led to step away from the business temporarily to gain perspective and think innovatively. Though counterintuitive, he spent several weeks with his family in Mexico, followed by two weeks celebrating his twentieth anniversary with his wife. This sabbatical proved transformative. During this time away, Daniel conceived the "Building Champions Experience," a new product that ultimately saved the company. The new offering reversed their losses, allowed them to serve clients in fresh ways during tough economic times, and positioned them as leaders in the executive coaching industry. By honoring his priorities—including family time and mental space—Daniel gained the perspective needed to solve his business challenges. To identify your own core priorities, start by thinking of your life as a collection of "Life Accounts." These accounts typically fall into three concentric circles: the inner circle of being (spiritual, intellectual, physical), the middle circle of relating (marital, parental, social), and the outer circle of doing (vocation, avocation, financial). Your unique list might include accounts like Self, Marriage, Kids, Parents, Friends, Career, Finances, and more. Once you've identified your accounts, determine the condition of each one. Like bank accounts, some may have growing balances (you're investing more than you're withdrawing), some may have consistent balances (you're maintaining the status quo), and others may have declining balances (you're withdrawing more than you're depositing). The goal is to have a positive balance in each account, which comes from experiencing both passion (enthusiasm) and progress (results). For example, Michael found himself in a situation where he had progressed up the corporate ladder to CEO but had lost his passion for the work. His job had become mostly about keeping the board happy by growing revenues and cutting costs, rather than working with authors and books as he originally loved. He had certainly seen progress but had lost the passion—a common imbalance. After assessing your accounts, prioritize them according to what truly matters most to you. This forces you to decide what takes precedence when priorities compete. For instance, David faced a choice between a major promotion requiring relocation to Hong Kong (meaning two years away from his family) or a less glamorous position locally. By clarifying his priorities, he chose the local job, recognizing that family outweighed career advancement for him. Many people make the mistake of putting themselves at the bottom of their priority list. However, just as airline safety instructions advise putting on your own oxygen mask before helping others, you must attend to your own well-being to effectively serve those around you. If you aren't spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and physically healthy, you can't be your best for others. Remember that balance doesn't mean giving equal attention to everything—it means giving appropriate attention to each area of your life according to your priorities. By identifying and honoring your core life priorities, you create a framework for making decisions that align with your true values and lead to greater fulfillment.

Chapter 4: Create a Compelling Action Plan

A life vision without a concrete plan remains merely a dream. Creating a compelling action plan transforms your aspirations into achievable reality by providing clear direction and specific steps. This planning process bridges the gap between your current situation and your desired future in each area of your life. For years, Daniel has participated in Hood to Coast, North America's largest relay race. Teams run nearly two hundred miles from Mount Hood to the Pacific Ocean. When he first started running it in the late nineties, participants relied on basic maps with mileage markers rather than today's apps and abundant volunteers. During one early-morning leg, Daniel set out feeling confident about his route. When three runners passed him and missed a turn, he called out to them, but they insisted they had the right course and convinced him to join them. Fifteen minutes and two miles later, they realized they were lost. Daniel's panic rose as he knew his team would be worried when he failed to arrive at the exchange point on time. This experience underscored a critical lesson: knowing precisely where you're headed is essential to reaching your destination. Without clarity, even well-meaning influences can lead you astray. To create your own compelling action plan, break each Life Account into five key sections. First, draft a Purpose Statement that defines your primary responsibility for that account. For example, Jon wrote in his Health Account: "My purpose is to maintain and care for the temple God has given me." June wrote for her Spouse Account: "My purpose is to be the love of Andy's life, his primary cheerleader, and his soul mate." Second, describe your Envisioned Future—how the account looks when functioning at its best. To make this vision compelling, follow these steps: Stand in the future by projecting yourself to a specific future time point. Use your imagination to visualize positive possibilities rather than worries. Employ all five senses to create a concrete, vivid picture. Record what you see in writing to clarify your thoughts. And crucially, use present tense as though you're already living this reality. For example, instead of writing "I want to be lean and strong," write "I am lean and strong, possessing vibrant health and extraordinary fitness." This subtle shift helps your mind work toward making the vision reality. Michael wrote for his Health Account: "I am lean and strong, possessing vibrant health and extraordinary fitness. My heart is strong and healthy. My arteries are supple and clear of obstructions... I have more than enough energy to accomplish the tasks I undertake." Third, find an Inspiring Quote that resonates with your purpose. This optional element adds emotional connection. Susan used an adaptation from Lawrence Pearsall Jacks for her work account: "The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure... He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing." Fourth, honestly assess your Current Reality in relation to your envisioned future. This frank evaluation provides your starting point. Michael noted in his Health Account: "I feel great. My stamina is great... I am not presently doing consistent strength training. I am concerned this will eventually catch up with me... I am eating pretty well, but I could be more consistent in avoiding high glycemic carbs." Finally, make Specific Commitments—actionable steps to move from your current reality toward your envisioned future. These should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Time-bound. Michael committed to "Run (or cross-train) four days a week," "Do strength training three days a week," and "Drink four liters of water a day." Remember that small, incremental changes can yield significant results over time. Dr. Henry Cloud observed this principle through an ant farm, where each ant moving single grains of sand eventually built an impressive structure. Whether your goal is weight loss, improved profitability, debt reduction, or stronger relationships, consistent small actions create powerful momentum toward your desired outcomes. By creating a compelling action plan for each Life Account, you translate your priorities and vision into concrete steps that gradually transform your life. This systematic approach ensures you're not just dreaming about a better future but actively building it day by day.

Chapter 5: Implement and Review Regularly

A Life Plan is only as valuable as its implementation. Without consistent execution and regular review, even the most thoughtful plan becomes just another document gathering dust. The key to lasting transformation lies in making your plan visible, reviewing it systematically, and revising it as your circumstances evolve. Michael once witnessed this principle in corporate life when his company hired an expensive strategic planning consultant. The leadership team spent three days creating detailed action plans with milestones and accountabilities, beautifully bound in custom leather binders. The plan was impressive—but they never looked at it again. This common scenario illustrates why implementation and regular review are so crucial to effective life planning. To ensure your Life Plan shapes your daily decisions, start by reading it daily for the first ninety days. Read it aloud to lock each aspect into your heart and mind. This practice helps internalize your priorities and keeps them front of center during this critical initial period. After the first ninety days, transition to a Weekly Review. This fifteen to thirty-minute appointment with yourself allows you to climb above the daily blur of activities and assess your progress. Schedule this time on your calendar—perhaps Friday afternoon or Monday morning—and protect it fiercely. During this review, read through your Life Plan word for word, process any loose papers or notes you've accumulated, review your previous and upcoming calendar appointments, and assess your action lists. Quarterly, schedule a more in-depth review—an extended version of your weekly practice. This "hot air balloon" perspective allows you to see how your forest fits into the overall landscape and make incremental adjustments rather than waiting for an entire year to correct course. Find a quiet location away from distractions, review your Life Plan thoroughly, reassess your Current Realities, and draft revised Specific Commitments. Then translate these into five to seven specific goals for the upcoming quarter. Annually, conduct a comprehensive revision of your Life Plan. Many find the week between Christmas and New Year ideal for this deeper reflection. Daniel uses this time at a cabin on the Oregon coast, often during stormy weather that creates the perfect setting for introspection. During this annual review, question your previous assumptions: Is anyone missing from your list? Have your priorities changed? Does your Envisioned Future still resonate? What accomplishments are you proudest of from the past year? What disappointments or regrets did you experience? The importance of regular review is illustrated by Stan, a client who used his Life Plan to maintain balance despite intense work pressures. Though his job felt like a "rat race," he rated his family life at an excellent 9.5. His Life Plan helped him determine how much to invest in each area of life, particularly as he reviewed it regularly. "I have not seen another way for people to follow through," he explained. The results were so beneficial that his entire family, including parents and siblings, adopted the practice. Michael experienced the power of regular review when his life circumstances changed dramatically. His youngest daughter moved out, he transitioned from his role as CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, and he launched a new career as an online training provider. Through his review process, he adjusted his family and professional accounts to reflect these changes while maintaining consistency in his spiritual, physical, intellectual, and avocational accounts. Remember that a Life Plan is a living document, not a static one. Through consistent implementation and regular review, you ensure that your plan remains relevant, compelling, and effective in guiding you toward your most important priorities. By building this rhythm of reflection into your life, you transform your plan from a one-time exercise into a lifelong practice of intentional living.

Chapter 6: Transform Your Organization with Life Planning

The principles of Life Planning extend beyond personal application to create powerful benefits in organizational settings. Forward-thinking companies are increasingly recognizing that personal and professional lives are inseparable. By encouraging employees to develop Life Plans, organizations create cultures of engagement, productivity, and holistic well-being. The fundamental insight driving this organizational approach is threefold: Self-leadership always precedes team leadership; teams are watching how leaders live; and what's true for leaders is true for team members—no one can compartmentalize their life. When organizations embrace these realities, they can leverage Life Planning to strengthen their culture and performance. Companies that implement Life Planning see three specific benefits. First, it communicates genuine care for employees. Chick-fil-A, for instance, has been so impacted by Life Planning that it's now part of their training for all new restaurant owners. Several times yearly, coaches help new owners create Life Plans, recognizing that self-leadership precedes team leadership. Similarly, Cornerstone Home Lending CEO Marc Laird incorporated Life Planning into his company culture after experiencing personal benefits from the process. He brought in coaches to guide teammates through creating plans, recorded videos encouraging new hires to take paid days off for Life Planning, and created resources on the company intranet to support implementation. SC Telco Federal Credit Union in South Carolina provides another inspiring example. After COO Brian McKay experienced radical life improvements through Life Planning, he shared it with other executives, including CEO Steve Harkins. Seeing its potential, they brought in training for all employees—from executives to mailroom staff—and appointed a steering committee to promote Life Planning throughout the organization. They featured success stories in the company newsletter and offered small group assistance. "The biggest takeaway for me in the Life Planning process is knowing I am working for a company that wants me to be happy and productive in every area of my life," said one compliance officer. "That's a gift!" The second benefit is ensuring employees are productive at work. Research conducted by Dr. Melanie Lankau of Wake Forest University found that "Life Satisfaction is positively correlated with job satisfaction and all performance measures." Simply put, employees who feel satisfied with their personal lives perform better professionally. The third benefit is empowering employees to be engaged on the job. When people are working toward passion and progress in every area of life, they're less likely to be cynical or apathetic. They have the emotional resources to invest in their work and the customers they serve. These engaged employees create a culture that becomes a strategic advantage in competitive environments. To implement Life Planning in your organization, follow these best practices: Practice before you preach, demonstrating the value in your own life before advocating it for others. Get your leadership team on board through staged rollout, making participation optional rather than mandatory. Set aside half a day for training, using books, courses, or outside coaches. Give everyone a copy of the book to spread the ideas more widely. Offer employees additional paid time off specifically for creating their Life Plans. Provide ongoing encouragement and support through steering committees, success stories, and support groups. Consider offering additional life resources in areas like financial management, marriage enrichment, or parenting skills. The ultimate goal extends beyond organizational effectiveness to societal transformation. Real change happens when people take responsibility for their own lives and begin living intentionally in every area. Changed people result in changed families, schools, communities, companies, and eventually, cultures. By implementing Life Planning principles in your organization, you contribute to this broader transformation while creating immediate benefits for your team. Whether you lead a small department or a large corporation, introducing Life Planning can revolutionize your organizational culture. The process begins with your own commitment to intentional living and expands through your influence to touch countless other lives. This ripple effect of positive change may be your most enduring leadership legacy.

Summary

Strategic life planning offers a transformative alternative to drifting through life without direction. By recognizing where drift happens, designing your legacy with purpose, identifying your core priorities, creating compelling action plans, implementing regular reviews, and potentially extending these principles to your organization, you can chart a path to true fulfillment. As Oliver Wendell Holmes wisely noted, "To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it. But we must not drift or lie at anchor." The journey toward an intentional life begins with a single, powerful choice. As the wise man in the Himalayan mountains story told the boy holding a bird, "The bird is as you choose it to be." So it is with your life—the power is in your hands. You have been given a remarkable gift—your life—and how you shape it is ultimately your decision. Take one meaningful step today: schedule your Life Planning day within the next two weeks. Don't let the law of diminishing intent prevent you from creating the life you truly desire. The sooner you begin, the more influence you'll have on getting the life you want—financially, relationally, physically, and spiritually.

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Michael Hyatt

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