| | How to Lead a Life of Purpose
What makes the average person truly happy? Research has shown that it's never about money or success. Instead, it's about meaning. Those who have lives filled with purpose are much more satisfied and have much higher self-esteem than people who don't.
So as a busy entrepreneur, striving for success each day, how do you make the time to lead such a life? It's not as tough as you think. Here are three simple steps you can take to get started on leading a life of purpose.
1. Make It a Mission
Just like your business' mission statement drives your company, a personal mission statement directs your life. Not only do you need one, you also need to live by it. In addition to your skills, abilities and personality traits, it should list your values, dreams and passions plus the principles you live by. It's a good foundation for creating a purposeful life. When you lose focus, your mission statement is something you can refer to at any time, serving as your guide.
2. Be Intentional
A life of meaning doesn't fall into your lap. You have to be intentional, setting goals with deadlines on what you want to achieve. Jeremy Breland, Director of New Brands for Dave's company, wanted to teach his children the value of serving others. Last year, the family set a goal to travel to Haiti and volunteer at an orphanage for a week. His three eldest children and his wife planned to join him on the trip, and travel wasn't cheap. Together, they held garage sales, hosted bake sales, and made crafts to raise funds.
"It was an amazing experience," Jeremy says. "But it wouldn't have happened if we weren't intentional. You're not going to accidently bump into spare time or extra money."
3. Get Involved
Want to make the world a better place? Then this is your most important step. Simply, act. Volunteer, donate products, or help a local charity or ministry—and let your team serve as well. At Dave's company, each team member is given a paid week off to do ministry. You don't have to go that far though. You can give a day off or pick a slow day and shut down early. Go as a team to a local charity or ministry and help.
That's exactly what Nathan Harmeier, owner of Above and Beyond Electric Company, does. Once a month, he, his family and team volunteer at a local food bank. It's something they all look forward to.
"It's easy to forget how blessed we are," Nathan says. "Helping others is a reminder. And it just feels good to give back, pay it forward." | Share this: |  |  | |
 | | To learn more about business, team building and leadership, download our EntreLeadership podcasts, which include lessons from Dave plus interviews with key business leaders from across the nation.
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Quick Tip By John Felkins
EntreLeadership Coaching & Community
One of my coaching clients recently confessed she was scared to do something that needed to be done. I understand that fear can stop us in our tracks, but here is what you need to keep in mind: Courage in leadership is not doing things that aren't scary; it's doing what needs to be done in the presence of fear. Proceeding in the presence of fear will do at least two things. First, you will accomplish what needs to be done, and second, you will set an example for your team to act, not freeze, in the face of fear.
For more information on coaching, contact John at 866.634.1785 or john.felkins@daveramsey.com. Don't forget to check out a free online coaching session.
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Blake Thompson
Executive Producer,
The Dave Ramsey Show How do I live a meaningful life while still maintaining a career and a family? As the great philosopher Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid said, "Lesson not just karate only. Lesson for whole life. Whole life have a balance. Everything be better. Understand?" I know. Easier said than done. But I try to work when I'm at work, focus on my wife and kids when I'm with them, and play hard when it's time to play. My life is a mixture of different roles that can't become stagnant. I have to be intentional on giving each role the best of me and constantly work on improving each. Like someone once said, "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." About Blake
For the last 17 years, Blake has produced The Dave Ramsey Show, where he was responsible for content, production and overall quality of the radio show. During his tenure, Blake has seen listenership of the show grow to more than 6 million weekly listeners. Recently, Blake was named Executive Producer for the radio show. | | | |
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