FIrst, to mmichuda: thank you for writing this. I returned to my profile so I could change my "screen name" or whatever our pseudonyms are; it isn't reflective of who I am and it is terribly reflective of the me-centric world that mmichuda writes about.

Second, to boiseboys: thanks for reminding me -- once again -- not to be swayed by others telling me that something can't be done. For years I've talked about having a restaurant where I would serve what I felt like serving and be open one day a week. There's a swank restaurant in NYC named Daniel's who does just that. boiseboys have made it clear that I don't have to be in NY (I no longer live there) & it doesn't have to be swank for the concept to work.

And now I'd better get back to my wage-earning job.

mmichuda,

I think there is one key thing you failed to recognize in many of the posts here. Unless we first take care of ourselves, we can not give fully to others. We have to love ourselves in order to truly give love, we have to make sure we are healthy in order to help others find health, and we have to be happy if we intend to help others find happiness. It is KEY to giving. You can't give to others what you have not yet given to yourself...otherwise...what exactly do you claim to have to give!? Not to mention, I think it is truly key in writing the life plan that part of it be what we will do if we become the great successes that we intend to be. Personally, I intend to be a great success at giving...but part of that requires that I first make something of myself! There HAS to be a sense of selfishness to everyone for the sake of survival and sanity...if you give ALL of yourself away, what is left at the end of the day!? I am infamous for making sure that EVERYONE else is taken care of first....and ultimately, I usually end up exhausted, over-worked, under appreciated and typically sick because I haven't taken the time to take care of me. And once I am at that point...I am no good to ANYONE...I can't give or help ANYONE if I am exhausted and sick!

I think it is great that you feel giving to others is such a huge part...and I totally agree...but I don't think it is THE biggest part...I think there is an equal balance to selfish and giving that needs to be met for a healthy success to be seen! Maybe you should try looking inward on occasion and see what it is you are trying to achieve in yourself....maybe you feel this is so necessary because there is an unmet need within you that you hope to find by giving!? I think that is why the Personal Life Plan is SOOOO critical to the process!

Just a thought!

I write and speak a lot about creating a very clear vision of your "ideal day."  When I say "ideal" - I don't mean an unrealistic, sitting on the beach doing nothing, vision - of course.  But, if you could craft a perfect working day, what would it look like.

Several years ago, when I was a CIO of a financial services company, I determined I wanted to return to working out of my house, get a book published, and start my day very early (today started at 2:30am) so that I could finish my primary income earning between noon and 2:00pm - making myself available for family and other opportunities.

Doing this allows you to more clearly assess opportunity - does it move me toward my "ideal day?"

In 2005 my first book was released by a very large and reputable publisher.  Now I am working on two more and writing a new book proposal for them as well.  I work out of my house 2-4 days each week - sometimes from the road in our motorhome.  I'm not exactly at my goal of "Geographically Untethered Income" - a phrase posted at my desk - but am light years ahead of where I was a few years ago.

Give it a try...

I wake up to fresh brewed coffee between 3:30am and 4:00am.  My alarm is set for 4:15am but I almost always beat it to the punch - turning it off as I walk from my room to the coffee pot.  I pour my first cup of coffee, turn my computer on, and step out onto my front patio to get a breath of fresh air.  Outside an owl - hardly visible - sits on top of a tall power-line.

A moment later I sit down at my computer to send off any early morning emails.  I look over my calendar and notes from the day before to get a clear idea of my schedule and my planned production.  With nothing too pressing first thing in the morning, I set out to write for the first 90 minutes.....

....and so it goes.  What does your ideal day start like?  What happens at lunch?  How does it end?

Matthew,

That was beautiful...really...I use to live up on top of a hill here in Oregon...the quiet early mornings were my favorite times. I would wake up bright and early on the weekends just to get that hour or so to really enjoy the serenity, the peace, and the ability to get work done without interruption!

Thank you for the image! I will put that into action as soon as I get to work from home again!

After decades of doing it all for everyone else (yes, Leah I can relate to you), I came to realize that charity, like financials, begins at home.

If you pay yourself first (give to yourself first) you'll always find a way to pay (give) to everyone else you need to. And in the long run, you will have so much more (and be able to give so much more).  It really works.

I work outside the home for someone else (haven't started my business yet) and when I get paid I first put money into several different accounts (it started out with $5 in each).  Tomorrow I will be ordering a new Rav4 and will be paying cash for it!  I am also proud to have supplied 125 bags of groceries to Nevada Safe Place for homeless youth. I've designed and had built my own home (alot of sweat equity and am still doing the landscaping). But my proudest achievement is being Mommy.

It's all a matter of balance . . .and isn't that a purpose of a life plan?

Jillybeans