Do you know where you are going in life? Do you have a life strategy? It is important to think of your future and what you want it to be or as the Pink Floyd song goes, “Fritter and waste the hours in an off hand way,… and then one day you find ten years have got behind you.” I am a future thinker, goal setter and self contemplator. Today I have done three things to tackle this thoughtful exercise.

1. I read the article, by Clayton M. Christensen.

2. I worked on a poem, “Where I Am From.”

3. I wrote out what I would like my life to look like in three years.

How Will You Measure Your Life is one of the most read articles on . It encourages creating a strategy for your life. The author set aside an hour a day in his youth figuring out his purpose in life. His development of his purpose was the most important thing he discovered and learned. Clarity about your purpose will reap many rewards and help craft that perfect future. Allocating your personal time and energy to shape your life’s strategy will help assure you do not fritter away and can lead to a fulfilling and happy life.

Self-awareness and emotional intelligence is often cited as the most important characteristic of good leaders and emotionally healthy, happy people. It helps in communicating, making better decisions and understanding why you do what you do. To improve your self-awareness is a journey of self-reflection. Tonight, I attempted a poem in which I contemplated Where I am From. The first poem of this nature was written by . This is my second draft and I am frustrated with the quality. However, I think the time spent is worthy. I will hesitantly share the poem below. If there are any poets out there, your help is welcome. Try it yourself and share it with us.

I am amazed at how much things can change in three years. My company has changed, my love life has changed and my balance sheet has changed drastically in the last three years. Therefore, instead of looking at ten years out I was given the task to describe where I want to be in three years. It’s a great planning tool. I will use this to craft my first quarter goals. Give it a shot. Where do you want to be in three years?

How will you know you are moving toward a perfect future? What is your yardstick in measuring your life?

I am From

I am from Charlotte;

From fast rides and foals.

I am from corn, beans, hay; green fields, creeks and giant sunsets.

I am from calloused hands;

From tractors, magnificent barns, mechanical things and cuss words.

I am from graceful catholic churches, big families and grave yards.

I am from road trips;

From letters to far away places and The Black Stallion.

I am from garden raised foods, Haluski Kapusta, apricot rolls and milk jugs filled with cold water.

I am from guitar lessons;

From sports teams, card playing and savings banks.

I am from drunken fun, then get down to business and Inc. 500.

I am from a chicken coop start up;

From art, perseverance, travel and vision.