So, what's going on in the inside?  As you travel through this thing called life, you certainly get to experience a range of emotions.  However, if you had to boil it down to the most predominant one, which one would it be?  (And, yes, I know there is no "Other" catagory this time.  )

I am grateful to everyone (approximately 400 people at this point) who took the time to answer this survey.  Life is a series of decisions.  Throughout every day we encounter forks in the road.  Should I do this or that?  Some decisions are small and some are significant.  However, one of the biggest decisions we make is our choice of occupation.  The idea of this survey was to see how we ended up doing that one thing that captures the majority of our time each day. 

Time is our greatest asset.  We can always make more money but we have a fixed 168 hours each week.  Once we use it, it’s gone forever.  Most people spend anywhere from 40 - 100 of those hours working.  Further, many of the non-working hours are often spent thinking about work!  So, if you were to add the total time that work captures the mind of an individual, it would be significant.  Of course, there are some that spend the majority of their work time thinking about anything but what they are doing there...so you may need to do the math personally.  Regardless, generally our occupation captures more of our time than any other activity in life with sleeping coming in second.

Since our occupation generally consumes most of our time, doesn’t it make sense that we would choose to invest our time (our greatest asset) into an occupation that will yield the best results? Of course.  Then, what results are the best?  Is it the most money?  Is it the most flexible time schedule?  Is it what seems to be the most secure?  I would submit to you that the very best results we could aim for is to fulfill God’s specific will for our life? 

Everyone ever born was born for a reason.  There were no accidents.  Your parents may not have planned you but God did.  He specifically designed you with certain gifts and a will for your life.  The question is, are you specifically searching to discover your gifts and your passion in order to pursue that which God has designed you to do?  When you discover your gifts you are on top of your purpose.  That is, those things that you are gifted to do, you are gifted for a reason.  Many people discount the very things they love and are good at because they do come so naturally.  Yet, your purpose in life is specifically connected to your gifts.  In addition, when you apply your purpose to that which you are most passionate about, you have discovered your calling or assignment in life.

What if what you did for an occupation could be in alignment with your purpose and assignment in life?  How fulfilling would that be?  Then, … why not do it?  If you believe finances are stopping you, I’d encourage you to think that through.  Are you trying to live a lifestyle that is stretching your dollar to achieve a feeling of comfort?  Is that really more comfortable than the feeling that comes when you are living on-purpose; that is, doing what you love, what you are designed to do, and what you are passionate about?  Who’s to say that if you made a decision to do what you are passionate about that you wouldn’t find a way to make it profitable?  Imagine if you did that!  Then, the more you did what you were passionate about, the more income you’d make.  Perhaps, by pursuing what you are passionate about you may profit through some other means that allows you to do it.  Regardless, I believe if you start the process of focusing on doing what you are passionate about, doors will open and the details will be covered. 

I want to encourage you to make a decision to revolve your life around your purpose and the one who gave it to you.  Make that commitment and let the details fall into place.  Let go of centering your life around things and doing what you think you ‘have to do.’ 

Out of the 400 people who have currently taken this survey, there is a tie for first.  The number one way people ended up in the occupation they are in is a tie between, “Most lucrative option available,” and “Only available option at the time.”  It shows that most people are either taking work as it is available or, if they do have a choice, are deciding based upon the best return financially.  This is life.  This is what is normal.  Unfortunately, time passes and as we come closer to the end of our life we ask, “Is this really what it is all about?”  Only 15% of the poll responded, “Knew it was what I am designed to do.”

I hope you will take a deep look at what it is that you are designed to do and then I hope you will pursue it with everything that you have.  Let no excuse, doubt, or fear stop you from fulfilling your purpose and assignment in life.     

Have you ever asked the question, "How did I get here?"  I know I've had those moments.  What about your occupation--how did you get there?  Most people trade the majority of their day at work.  Do you love it?  If you were financially independent, would you still work where you do?  Would you work for free? 

Below is a poll asking you to remember how you ended up doing what it is that you do for a living.  Please take a moment to click on the box that tells your story:

I want to thank everyone (approximately 400 people so far) who took the "30 Days to Live" survey.  The idea of the survey was to get you (myself included) to take a deep look at life.  Most of us are running a gazillion miles an hour in multiple different directions simultaneously.  No wonder we feel strrrreeeetched!  Painful just to picture, isn’t it?  However, when we take a moment to stop and consider having only 30 days to live, an undeniable clarity of personal priorities quickly comes to focus.

By far the number one response (over 50% of the votes and 5 times more than anything else) was, “Spend time with family.”  In solid second was, “Get spiritual life in order.”  Third was an interesting tie between, “Witness to others” and, “Be adventurous.”   Surprisingly, “Read Chuck Goetschel’s blog” wasn’t in the top 10!  It did get at least one vote…so, thanks Mom.  J  

The big question at hand is, “What now?”  You probably have more than 30 days to live (although nobody knows) but that’s not the point.  The point is now that you have clarified what you value most in life, why wouldn’t you focus on it whether you have 30 days or 30+ years to live? 

If your answer was, “Spend time with family,” can you redesign your life to put family time as a higher priority?  Perhaps, it’s time to cut out the, ‘flop-in-front-of-the-tv-cause-I-deserve-it’ habit and go make a special memory with your spouse or kids.  Perhaps, there is a family member that needs a call, a note, some encouragement, or simply an acknowledgement from you.  What if you listened to your family as if you really only had 30 days to live?  What if you went after creating memories with them as if you only had 30 days to do it?  What would happen to your family if you put that kind of focus and intensity into them?  Would it be worth it?  For more than half of you, this was your first choice.  Let your life reflect it.  Let your family and the world know it.

If getting your spiritual life in order was your top choice, what can you do right now for that?  If you have any question whatsoever as to the journey you will make after you die, I hope you will make getting that in order a priority.  Eternity is a long time.  Why will everyone invest time to plan a vacation but only some people invest time to plan their trip after life on earth?  Being this was the second highest answer in the survey, it is obviously important to many people.  Here are three questions to get clear answers to: 

1. Is there life after death? 
2. If so, what will it be like for me?  (Heaven/Hell/other?) 
3. On what authority do I base my thinking? 

My objective in this posting is simply to encourage you to live your life like you were dying.  Steven Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, says, “Begin with the end in mind.”  That is, make decisions today based on leading your life to a fulfilling conclusion rather than to make decisions today based on short-term pleasures.  Ironically, by living with the end in mind, you will find far more immediate pleasure than ever before.  Being focused on that which you really value will yield a deep contentment.  True joy comes from living ‘on-purpose’ rather than ‘by accident.’ 

What if you only had 30 days to live?  What would you do?  I know it may be a disturbing question, and I realize that I'm asking it on April fool's day, but entertain it just for a moment.  If that was suddenly your situation, what would become your main focus?  Please click on the survey to provide your answer. 

Now, with that uplifting thought, enjoy your day!  :-) Really!