What do you stand for?

You need to be a standing stone.  You need to set yourself apart as someone that is different, unique and awe-inspiring.

Throughout history, human beings have used standing stones to mark things of significance.

Standing stones are used to indicate that something special happened in this spot.  Something noteworthy.

Your life should be a standing stone.  It should be purpose-driven and this purpose should make you stick out in such a way that others notice.  Not so much for your individual benefit, but so that your cause gets noticed.

The Significance of Being a Standing Stone

Standing stones, like the statues on Easter Island or Stonehenge or the Great Pyramids, get our attention.  They inspire wonder and curiosity.  They are fascinating and they all mark something significant.

We still use standing stones, large and small, today.  They are all over Washington, D.C.  and if you look closely, you’ll see them around your city as well.  There are many reasons that we erect these stones.

I’ve listed below some of the most common reasons along with why you should be a standing stone yourself.

1.  To Help Us Remember

We build monuments to help us to never forget.  We put up these stones to commemorate those that have sacrificed in the name of a worthwhile cause.  The stones are the messengers that carry the story of significance forward.

What message are you carrying forward?  You can be a standing stone for a great purpose.  You can be the messenger that keeps the cause alive.  Memories fade fast.  This is why you are needed.  Pick your purpose and help us to remember why it deserves our support.

2.  To Express Gratitude

Sometimes we erect statues and stones to say thank you for a particularly noteworthy accomplishment.  We want to honor and pay tribute to a person or a group of people that have gone above and beyond the call of duty.  The Iwo Jima Memorial comes to my mind as a great example of this.

Do you stand up in a meaningful way to make others feel special in your life?  Do you show gratitude to those that are most important to you?  You can be the one that pronounces their value and worth.  Who in your family, community or country is deserving of praise?  Make it your job to be sure they get the thanks they’ve earned.

3.  To Set Apart

Standing stones are unnatural.  We study and admire them because it is obvious that someone went to a great deal of effort to get our attention.  They mark something that is special and unique.

You can use your talents and resources to set apart important things in your life as well.  When others notice how much you are pouring into a cause you are passionate about, they take notice.  You set it apart with your actions.  This piques people’s interests and lures them to learn more.

4.  To Point the Way

Sometimes standing stones are navigational aids.  They mark the path one should travel to reach a destination.  This was often done when the journey was difficult or when getting lost was especially treacherous.  These markers kept travelers headed in the right direction.

In the same way, the world is in need of great leaders.  Those that will stand up and point the way.  Are you one that could inspire others to fulfill a worthwhile mission?  If so, then we need you!  Be willing to speak up and lay out a plan for others to follow.

Let Your Passion be a Standing Stone

I encourage you to let your passion shine.  Stand it up where others can see and wonder about it.  Be a beacon of light so that those around you can also discover your passion.  Inspire them with your excellence and knowledge about the matter.  Help them to see, appreciate, investigate and follow you in your passion.  Your whole life can be a standing stone if you will simply make it so.

If you want to become a standing stone, then here are five important questions you can ask yourself to find your purpose and to arrange your priorities.

How can you be more of a standing stone for your cause?  What will you do today to make others notice?  Leave a comment so we can all benefit.

Photo: Copyright PhotoXpress.com

You must have a clearly defined, written purpose if you want to live life to the fullest.  It is absolutely crucial.  You will never achieve the satisfaction and significance you desire without it.

Stick with me here!  I know this is tough.  I’ve struggled with my life purpose too.  But, once you get your purpose figured out, then it will make everything else start to fall into place.

I’m going to guide you through clarifying your life purpose and make it a lot easier for you.  Once you’re familiar with this method, you will wonder why it seemed so hard before.

What Is a Life Purpose?

Purpose is the reason for an action being done, an object existing or being made or used.
~ Wikipedia

First, let’s get a clear definition of what a life purpose is.  We can begin by looking at the definition above from Wikipedia on the meaning of the word “purpose”.

Based on this, we can begin to see that a life purpose is the reason we do what we do.  It is a statement that puts meaning behind our actions.

According to Gregory K. Popcak in The Exceptional Seven Percent, a good life purpose is the theme around which we build our life.  It is strongest when it is focused on developing positive character traits, pursuing spiritual growth and exhibiting moral courage.

A life purpose is a single sentence that sums up what we consider most important in life and serves as a compass to guide all our actions.

This may sound a little overwhelming, but it really isn’t as hard to come up with as you might imagine.

Three Practical Reasons a Clear Life Purpose Is So Important

You can probably get a sense of why a life purpose is so important just from the definition, but I think it is worth examining even closer.  It has very practical implications.

Here are the three reasons a clear life purpose is so important:

1.  Serves as a Foundation for Decisions and Actions

A clear life purpose gives you a foundation on which to decide how to act.  You can (and should) filter all your decisions through your purpose to determine whether your actions will conform to your values and priorities.

Your purpose becomes a map to guide your life.  Without it you are just meandering aimlessly along with no real direction.  Of course, you will arrive exactly where you are aiming.  This is the first reason that you should clearly define your life purpose.

2.  Provides Clarity and Focus to Your Life

Smart Living Rule 4 lays out the reasons that clarity and focus are so important.  Basically, your purpose helps you to set the proper priorities.  It gives you something that you can use to zero in on the right next thing to do.

Our efforts are often diluted to the point that it takes us forever to accomplish anything.  A life purpose solves this.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a clear and focused mind for once?  It is possible.  You just have to take a bit to define what you want your life to be about.

3.  Allows You to Simplify and Declutter Your Thinking

When you have a clear purpose, you suddenly know what to say no to and eliminate from your life.  This frees up your time to spend on the things that really matter.  You can separate the wheat from the chaff, the good from the great without guilt.

A simpler life is a better life.  You are less tired and stressed.  Therefore, you have more to give the things that count for the most.  Decluttering your life is a great step toward living life to the fullest.  There is no better way to improve your life with so little effort!

Defining Your Life Purpose Is the Most Important Thing

Hopefully, this has convinced you of the importance of a clearly defined, written life purpose.  It is critical to a full and rewarding life.  Over the next few days, I will give you a simple method to define your strategy and I’ll share my own purpose with you as an example that will help to further reinforce the importance.  I hope you’ll stay tuned!

What other reasons are there for a clear life purpose?

Photo by Richard0

Many people feel what they do is meaningless.  They go through the motions like robots, but their hearts aren’t really in it.  They don’t see the significance in their lives.  Do you ever feel this way?

It is paramount that we find and commit ourselves to a worthwhile cause as a part of smart living.  It is only when we feel our lives have a higher purpose that we are truly experiencing all that life has to offer. 

Real joy in life comes from serving a cause that we feel is worthy of our time and energy.  Are you living your calling?

Five reasons significance is so important to smart living

There are many reasons to find and commit yourself to a cause, but here are the five that I believe stand out as the most important.

1.  Serving a great cause makes us feel happy and valuable

That is happiness: to be dissolved into something complete and great.
~ Willa Cather

A part of living life to the fullest is being happy.  A big part of happiness is knowing that your life has meaning and purpose.  It is knowing that you are a valuable person.

When we go to the effort to find and serve a meaningful cause, we are happier.  We get a deep sense of satisfaction that our lives matter.

Our life gets used up anyway.  Why not make it count for something worthwhile?

2.  Investing in a great cause is investing in ourselves

Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds.
~ George Elliot

Serving a significant cause makes us into a better person.  There is no way around this. 

Giving yourself to a bigger purpose makes you grow.  It stretches you and helps you to see the real miracles that happen around us every day.  The challenge and fulfillment you experience will enrich you in ways that you can’t even imagine!

This kind of smart living helps us to get our minds off our own little, petty problems for awhile.  It puts things into perspective and causes us to be more grateful for all the blessings in our lives.  It opens our eyes to see the greatness all around us.

3.  Pouring ourselves out for a great cause will lead us to authenticity

Life is a promise; fulfill it.
~ Mother Theresa

We are all endowed with unique gifts and talents.  Discovering your place in a great cause is like finding a huge missing piece of yourself.  You are not complete without it.

The more you unpack your purpose in life, the closer you get to the real you.  All the less than honest parts of yourself tend to dissolve.  They fade away because they are no longer needed.

This is a process that occurs over time, but it can’t really begin until you start to see who you really are.  Following your heart is the first step in this great journey to fulfill the promise you were created to fulfill.

4.  Striving toward a great cause will give your life a clear purpose

The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose
~ Richard Leider

Many of us wander through life aimlessly.  We fail to establish goals.  We bounce around like a pinball from one thing to the next.  As Thoreau points out, we go to the grave with the song still in us.

However, once you identify and pursue a valuable cause, it is like your internal GPS kicks in.  Your vision for the future begins to take shape and you feel emboldened.  There is no longer a lack of clear direction.  Your life has purpose.

This purpose becomes a driving force.  It is the inner energy source that propels you upward and onward tirelessly.  Purpose is refreshing, rejuvenating and exhilarating!

5.  Persevering in a great cause will make the world a better place

Each small task of everyday is part of the total harmony of the universe.
~ St. Theresa of Lisieux

What do you want to be remembered for once you are gone?  What will be your legacy?  What will your children and family recall about you?

I have personally pondered these questions and I believe the answers are an important part of living life to the fullest.  It is important to make a positive mark on this world.

I want to leave this world just a little bit better than I found it for the next generation.  I want to be a part of the solution instead of a part of the problem.  I want to finish my life and know that I used it wisely.  I want to know I pursued smart living.

Assignment: Find a way to make your life count for something

There are a number of ways to do this, but you have to start somewhere.  Here are some suggestions for how you can begin to make your life count for something.

1. Brainstorm possible causes – Start by examining your heart and asking yourself some questions.  What’s important to you?  What do you value?  What are you passionate about?

   Here are some ideas to help you get going:

   - Raising your family and children

   - Helping the poor here and abroad

   - Saving the environment or an endangered animal

   - Volunteering to improve your community

   - Teaching people an important skill or concept

2. Decide how to get involved – What are your talents and how could you apply them to benefit a cause that you are passionate about?  What can you do?  It could be just about anything.  Are you good with computers, accounting, research, fund-raising, organizing events, construction, vehicle maintenance or writing?  Any of these talents and a million others are needed in all kinds of great causes.  Decide how you can help and then get started!
3. Make your life count – Find an organization or group of people that are already doing things to further the cause that you are passionate about and join them.  Don’t be shy about getting involved.  Assert yourself and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you become one of them!

Smart Living is making your life count for something

Make your life count!  Get involved in a worthwhile cause so you can find significance and the real you.  Don’t waste another minute feeling unimportant and aimless!  Your life is too important of a thing to waste!

Follow this link to discover all the rules for Smart Living.

Photo by geoftheref

Selfishness can cause us to cling to things and to be too demanding of others.  It often ruins relationships and complicates our lives.

Overcoming selfishness will lead to a simpler life if we can learn to let go of all the stuff we cling to.  It will also help us to get along better with those closest to us in our lives.

A successful life begins with overcoming selfishness

A successful or super-charged life is one full of joy, significance and contentment.  It is impossible to experience these things when one is excessively selfish.

Selfishness causes us to focus solely on our wants and desires.  We demand our way and miss out on the richness that comes from giving and sharing.  This causes our relationships with our spouses, kids and co-workers to suffer immensely.

Self-indulgence often also leads to the over-accumulation of material possessions.  We constantly seek happiness and fulfillment in our next new toy.  Of course, this is a fruitless pursuit that will quickly leave a person depressed, disillusioned and broke.

A selfish person will often find themselves bankrupt emotionally and financially.  This egocentric behavior often leads to divorce, debt and turmoil.

How to overcome selfishness and begin healing your life

It is never too late to beat selfishness and turn your life around.  The sooner you start, the sooner you will begin to enjoy a better life.

Here are some suggestions for overcoming selfishness:

1.  Admit your selfishness and be honest about it

Selfishness is that detestable vice which no one will forgive in others, and no one is without in himself.  ~ Henry Ward Beecher

The first step in recovering from almost any vice is to first admit it to yourself.  This can often be one of the hardest steps.

It isn’t easy for us to look ourselves in the mirror and honestly recognize we are grotesquely selfish.  Maybe it is self-preservation?

Admitting ugly things about ourselves hurts.  We all want to avoid pain.  Of course, which is worse, admitting being selfish or continuing to live so?

Conceding the truth about ourselves can be a great relief.  It will free you to let go and begin healing.  There is no other way to begin the process.

2.  Begin to give generously when you least want to

He who lives only to benefit himself confers on the world a benefit when he dies.  ~ Tertullian

You have to start killing the monster inside that constantly clamors to get its way.  You do this by generously letting others have their way.

When you feel the most resistance to giving in, just do it!  Others may want your time, money or your agreement with them.  Give it!

As you do this, it will slowly become easier.  I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to make the right decision in this crucial moments.

A circumstance will soon arise where you feel a strong gravitational pull to insist on getting your way.  Don’t fall to it!  Instead, see it as an opportunity to conquer your enemy.

3.  Be patient with those who have endured your selfishness

That man who lives for self alone, Lives for the meanest mortal known.
~ Joaquin Miller

Even though you have admitted your disease to yourself and started to fight against it, don’t expect everyone else to jump on the bandwagon too soon.

Those around you have endured your selfishness for far too long to immediately believe it is over.  In their eyes, you may relapse at any time.

They are going to want to see a long track record of generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness before they are going to fully accept the new you.

Be patient with them.  Give them time to see that you are serious and committed to overcoming your selfishness.

4.  Keep a journal about overcoming selfishness

The unexamined life is not worth living.  ~ Socrates

Document your thoughts and feelings as you progress through this process.  Write down your triumphs and failures.

Go back from time-to-time and review what you have written.  This will help you to see that you really are changing to be more generous, kind and thoughtful.

It will also hold you accountable if you are not!

Conquering selfishness is a move toward a better life!

Selfishness is a roadblock to a better life.  Taking simple steps to defeat it will open up a whole new world for you.

It will simplify and improve your life in ways that you cannot even imagine.  Your relationships will grow more rich and loving than they have ever been.

You are a conqueror!  Go forth and live life to the fullest!

Photo by okreitz

Why is this?  There are a few that seem to be living with a deep sense of contentment.  What makes their lives different?  What are they doing to achieve such satisfaction?

These are the questions that I ponder regularly and intend to answer as I write this blog.  I named this site My Super-Charged Life, but I certainly haven’t arrived there yet.  It is a journey that I am on, not necessarily a destination.

What is super-charged living?  What does it mean?

Mary from Simply Forties recently wrote a guest post for me a few weeks ago.  In the opening paragraph, she mentioned that she didn’t know what “My Super-Charged Life” really meant to me. 

Frankly, I was a little shocked when I first read her statement.  Have I done such a poor job of communicating my purpose?  Apparently so!

It was then that I started thinking about writing this post.  I’m glad that Mary brought this to my attention.  It gives me a chance to address it and to reflect and refine the intent that guides my writing.

As I read my about page, I realize that over the last year, my goal for this blog has evolved, matured and clarified.  In fact, I think I’ll make some updates to the about page pretty soon.  In the meantime, let me dive into explaining some of my thoughts about Super-Charged Living.

Original intent of creating significance and joy still holds true

I still feel confident that my original narrative that I wrote over a year ago about Super-Charged Living is still valid.  In it, I emphasized what I believe are some of the key characteristics of a super-charged life. 

I wrote about things like excellence, continual learning, adventure and financial wisdom.  The rest of the key characteristics coincide with the categories I use to classify my articles on this site.

However, over the last year, I’ve come to realize the reason that I believe in striving towards these key characteristics is because they lead to creating significance and joy.  In other words, they make my life meaningful and fun.

I think this has always been part of my intent, but maybe I hadn’t quite grasped it before.  There are many things I’m still learning myself about Super-Charged Living.

Things to avoid when seeking significance and joy in life

Beyond having a clearer picture of what embodies Super-Charged Living, I also have arrived at some conclusions about what it is not.  What I mean to say is that some things may seem to characterize a Super-Charged Life, in reality do not.

I have realized that some who stumble upon my site might confuse Super-Charged Living with a jet set lifestyle.  They might think that I aspire to something that could be seen on The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

This is simply not true.  Super-Charged Living is NOT about:

• being overly selfish
• making rash, illogical decisions
• being completely and utterly irresponsible
• pretending to be someone you’re not
• or undisciplined consumerism

We all display some of these behaviors from time-to-time, but none of these will lead to a life of significance or joy.  In fact, they lead in completely the opposite direction.  Fame and riches are fine, but they are not central to what I’m striving for.

The journey toward Super-Charged Living continues!

Obviously, I have learned some things and grown over the past year.  It is amazing how this blog has been such a great teacher.  Yes, I learn from it probably even more than you do!

Of course, it hasn’t been just the exercise of reflecting and writing that has helped me learn more about significance and joy.  The greatest lessons have come from you, my readers.

You are a vast source of encouragement, insight and intelligence.  I truly value your willingness to join me in my journey.  I hope that along the way we can both find greater meaning and happiness in living! 

I hope we can find the keys to living a Super-Charged Life.  Thanks for indulging me as I took the time to make this clearer!

Are there any questions I can answer for you about Super-Charged Living?

Photo by Bitterroot

I also think that a return to the basics is a great way to create a good life.  In many instances, we have overcomplicated our lives causing unnecessary stress, anxiety and tension.  We should take this opportunity to scale back and simplify.

How to create a good life with back to basics living

There are numerous things we can do to get back to the basics.  All these moves will help us to incrementally improve our lives. 

They will cut out many of the unneeded things that clutter our lives robbing us of our peace and sanity.  In addition, they will help create order and stability where it is badly needed.

Let’s take a look at some steps for getting back to the basics!  By the way, I have sprinkled links throughout this article to help you find more information on each step.

1.  Cut out everything but what you really love, use and enjoy.

It is time to do an honest appraisal of all the stuff cluttering up your life and your finances.  Take an inventory of all your activities and possessions.  Get rid of everything that causes you even an ounce of stress.  If you aren’t using and enjoying it, then sell it, donate it or trash it!

2.  Evaluate your stuff and activities based on three factors.

When you are trying to decide whether to keep something in your life or get rid of it, evaluate these three things:

• Does it demand too much of your money?
• Does it demand too much of your time?
• Does it add enough value to your life to keep it?

Generally, your initial reaction or gut instinct is the best action to take.  Don’t deliberate too long.  Err on the side of back to basics living!

3.  Reacquaint yourself with the joy of simpler living.

It is likely that there was a time when you lived a much simpler life than what you have now.  You were less busy, had fewer responsibilities and your life wasn’t cluttered with so much stuff.  Chances are you were just as happy or happier then than you are now.  Why not seek pleasure and satisfaction in the simple joys of life again?  Take this opportunity to explore if you can be happy with less.

4.  Organize your personal finances with a budget.

How much money do you really need to survive and create a good life?  Where does all your money go every month?  A budget will help you answer these questions.  It will return a sense of control to your finances that you may not have experienced in quite some time.  Living on a budget is liberating and will reduce stress.  Need help getting started?  Check out this list of brilliant budgeting resources!

5.  Stop buying things you do not need and pay off your debt!

We need to differentiate more clearly between our wants and our necessities.  We seem to get confused.  I’ve been guilty of this.  I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve struggled with how to stop buying things I don’t need.  Over time, I’ve had to retrain myself.  As a result, my wife and I have frugaled up our finances and paid off our debt.  Being debt-free is awesome!  I now believe that being debt-free is the path to financial success!

6.  Be more content with what you already have.

We often become discontent when we compare ourselves to others.  We see other people that seem to have more than we do and we start thinking we need more.  However, more is usually what robs us of the very happiness we seek.  It steals our joy and makes us a prisoner to debt and obligation.

7.  Focus your time on significant activities.

A great deal of happiness in life often comes from the knowledge that you are  spending your time on things that have purpose and meaning.  It isn’t always about the bling!  In fact, many of the people that report the highest levels of happiness often have very little in terms of material possessions.  However, they do spend a lot of time with family and friends.  They invest themselves in relationships.  Focus on creating significance in your life!

8.  Take care of your mind and body.

You can’t truly have a good life without good health.  It is paramount that we take care of ourselves.  This means eating the right foods and getting some exercise.  In addition to our physical health, we should also pay attention to protecting our mental health.  We need to exercise our brains and take steps to reduce stress.  These efforts will pay some of the biggest dividends that we will ever receive.

These 8 steps to creating a good life will get you back to the basics

This is a time of adjustment.  It is a time to reflect on what’s really important and to get our affairs in order.  We could all use a shift to more basic and meaningful living.  I am convinced that the best that life has to offer is hidden in some of these 8 steps for creating a good life.  I hope you’ll click some of the links and explore it further for yourself!

What else can we do to get back to the basics and create a good life?

Photo by Ferdinand Reus

Quotes with timeless advice on striving for excellence

Wisdom writers from all over the world and throughout time have expounded on the importance of excellence in life.  Here’s how we can apply their advice to living life the fullest.

1.  Make excellence your habit in all you do

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” ~ Aristotle

Are you in the habit of striving for excellence?  Where have you set the bar for yourself?  We often let ourselves slip into a rut of producing inferior or insignificant outcomes.  This is common, but dangerous. 

In a time when many organization are cutting back on personnel, it is more important than ever to prove you are a difference maker.  If you aren’t putting your best foot forward to push the organization toward its goals, then why should they keep you around?

2.  Make your actions speak louder than your words

“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.”
~ Confucius

Exceptional performance is what counts.  Look at your output.  Is what you are producing making a difference?  Are you meeting your goals?  We can talk about high and lofty ideas all day long, but are we making the right effort to get the excellent results desired? 

Less talk and more action is often what it takes to achieve excellence.  No one likes a braggart, especially one that has little to show for what they’ve done.

3.  Make your life count for something

“Life’s like a play; it’s not the length but the excellence of the acting that matters” ~ Seneca

Isn’t it interesting how some people live very short lives, but have an incredible impact on those around them?  Look at someone like Randy Pausch who didn’t even live to be 50 years old, but what an incredible difference he made in the lives of so many! 

That’s because Randy had high standards and lived everyday to its fullest even before he knew his life was going to be cut short.

Are you investing your life in something significant?  It doesn’t need to be something that will make you famous or rich or even  well-liked, but whatever it is it should be something that you can devote your whole heart to and be excellent at.  Make your life count!

4.  Make a commitment and stick to it

“No man ever reached to excellence in any one art or profession without having passed through the slow and painful process of study and preparation”  ~ Horace

Excellence isn’t easy although a few make it look like it is.  These few have spent countless hours practicing and sharpening their skills until they can perform very difficult tasks almost effortlessly.  They devote every waking moment to becoming the very best in their field.  They make incredible sacrifices all in the name of excellence.

We often want to be that Olympic athlete standing on the podium receiving the Gold Medal, but we usually aren’t willing to go through the process necessary to get there.  The Gold Medal athlete worked, studied and endured innumerable bumps and bruises to achieve their moment of glory.  What are you willing to put forth in your quest for excellence?

5.  Make yourself stand out from the crowd

“Excellent things are rare.” ~ Plato

The person that truly devotes themselves to excellence is rare.  That’s why they are so valuable and adored by us.  That’s why they make the big bucks and deserve it.  For whatever reasons, few choose the path of excellence in their life.  For those that do, the life itself is its own reward.

Become that rare person that is dedicated to doing their very best and then push yourself even further.  Believe that excellence is the only standard worth pursuing and you will reap the dividends of a rich and full life!

Striving for excellence will be a sacrifice worth making!

Excellence will never let you down.  You will always be able to hold your head high knowing that you did everything you could.  People will notice.  It will pay off.  Excellence is not a quick fix or get rich quick scheme, although you will likely realize the benefits sooner than you think because most of the world is stuck in mediocrity.  Striving for excellence is a sure way to make yourself stand out!

Photo by little_frank