Life is too short not to plan

Date: 27 February 2012

Author:  Stan Kontos

I am sure we have all at some stage in our lives heard the saying "life is too short". My research shows that the majority of people (in fact, more than 97%) have much to benefit from a good life coach. - how to set & achieve goals that are congruent with our purpose, vision and values. When congruent goals are set, the end result is enjoyment of the journey of life. The construction of our life is really the culmination of lots and lots of goals – gaining a better figure, being fit, doubling our income, getting married, making friendships, traveling the world, expanding our mind by attending seminars or reading books, and even developing a closer relationship with God are all goals that shape our destiny. So, I ask you the following important question "How much time have you spent today reviewing your goals?" and "How much time do you spend each week planning your week and monitoring how it is shaping your year?" and "How much time each week do you spend reviewing your life plan and how it is progressing?". You see, if you do not know accurately where you are going, how will you know when you get there?

 

I have a saying I love to quote - here it is "At the end of your life, when you look back and reflect whilst sitting in your rocking chair, do you want your life to have been an example for others, or do you want it to have been a warning of what not to do with the gift of life you were given?" I would hope of course that you want your life to be an outstanding example to your children, grandchildren, friends, and your community. However, we all need to realise that an outstanding life doesn't just happen – it comes from inspired thoughts, planning and action.

 

I have spent many years studying the best processes of merging purpose statements, with life visions, and setting goals aligned with values, and then planning steps to move in the direction of the goals. You see, you got to have goals- they bring excitement, passion, joy, challenge and exhilaration to your experience of life. Making a decision to help thousands of people, or creating a large chunk of wealth, or providing the best you can for your family, or living in an amazing home, or any other goal that brings a sense of excitement and passion, brings so much joy when they are goals that have genuine meaning to the person who sets them.

 

In order to ensure we remain motivated in achieving the goal, it is important that we surround ourselves with the right people – people that will inspire us (not put us down). It is also important that we have someone hold us accountable (a good coach) and checks in on us and our progress on a monthly (or sometimes weekly) basis. And it is important that we have someone in our environment (preferably a friend or mentor) who has "been there and done it before" so we can learn from the master himself (or herself).

 

Now, I have been fortunate over the years to having been able to work closely with who I consider to be a master of mentoring (as well as an outstanding life planning expert) – Dr Adrian Geering. Come along to the next breakfast to hear him speak – I will be interviewing him on the subject of "Personal Planning" on Wednesday 7th March .....I promise you will pick up new insights that will have a compounding effect on your life in the coming years.

 

Statistics show clearly that a personal coach will take the success rate of their client in goal setting from 10% (where the majority of people are) to 95%. This is an incredible statistic that I have obtained from a credible study - I have seen it myself when coaching people to their outcomes over the course of a year.

 

I encourage you to decide to learn about the process of "Personal Planning" and take your life and the people around you to the next level. Life is too short to have any lesser expectation. Life is a gift – let's all learn more about how to maximize who we become, what we give, and the legacy we leave behind.

 

Live with passion, purpose and always be at peace.

Stan Kontos

Chairman & Co-Founder SOL Results