Do you know what effect you want to have on the world? Do you know the true purpose for your life? Before you start investing, you need to know your values and beliefs in order to establish your goals. Then, your life decisions will be easier to make: Each decision needs to be consistent with your beliefs, so you will feel satisfaction and contentment.
If your goals are not consistent with your inner values, you will worry and experience remorse and conflict in your life. If you have no goals, any road can take you to nowhere!
First define your values. Start by asking yourself what you need to accomplish during your life, so at the end of your life you will have no regrets. Write down a specific statement for each of the important areas appropriate for you: family, charities, vacations, education, retirement, possessions, experiences, travel, health, property, and interests. These statements are your goals.
Next write down after each of your goals what feelings you will have if you accomplish it during your lifetime. Use many value words: security, freedom, love, respect, peace of mind, generosity, fulfillment, joy, adventure, happiness, abundance, faith, independence, honor, dignity, etc. Circle all the value words you have used more than twice.
Now read this statement: My True Purpose for Life is … and insert one of your most circled value words you relate to most. See if that word fits into your statement. If not, say the statement out loud and insert the word that inspires you. When it’s right you’ll know, as it will resonate within you. If needed, you may insert a short statement.
Write down your completed True Purpose for Life, as it is a statement of the values you personally hold dear, and also communicates what you want to create for others. Money does not make people happy, it is only a tool. True happiness comes from values being realized in your life.
Written by: Maria J. Kuitula, a Free Market & Stewardship Coach, co-authored the book, Stress-Free Investing, available at Amazon.com. She is the President of Wordhouse Wealth Coaching and can be reached at 616-460-6518 or at [email protected]. For QUESTION LISTS and INVESTOR EDUCATION VIDEOS, go to www.WordhouseWealthCoaching.com.
