Do you know your purpose? Are you living it daily? Are you healthy and content? Do you feel like everything is in flow?
Every good navigator needs a map. So I created my own map to guide me. MAP comprises meaning, attention and principles and is a framework that anyone can use to enjoy life’s adventure.
Meaning
Most people seek meaning in their lives – a mission or purpose. To matter to someone. To make a difference in the world. For who you are to be valued or for what you create to be relevant.
What does happiness means for you? Do you find happiness in what you do and who you are?
We should value what we create but not let our happiness or worth be defined by it. Be happy regardless of how others perceive it. This is difficult when you try to create something that has meaning for ourselves and others. But it is worth striving for.
Meaning can be found at any level – from family, friends and colleagues to community and the world. I seek meaning at the intersection of what I love, what I am good at and what the world needs and values.
Ask not “What do I want to do?” but “What kind of life do I want”?
Attention Areas
Without attention, meaning is lost. Your meaning is reflected by the areas in your life to which you give attention. Areas can include health, learning, relationships, connection, contribution or a special venture.
Give attention with your head, affection with your heart and action with daily habits and you will find meaning daily.
Principles and Priorities
Principles are rules we live by and do not compromise on to support our meaning and attention areas. Without being guided by principles we struggle to attend to what is important to us.
Most of us, if asked, have aspirational values and priorities. Our actual values, principles and priorities are how we behave every day. If your behaviour doesn’t match your aspirational, then change something.
Show me your calendar and I will show you your priorities.
That’s MAP in a nutshell. Easy to learn, difficult to master, always evolving. I keep it close to guide me. It allows me to wander freely knowing I will not get lost.
GPS
Of course, every good navigator needs a compass to find their way. I also created a GPS – Goals, Prioritisation and Systems to build and maintain focus and momentum.
How do you link what you do every day to your mission? What are your biggest challenges and how do you deal with them?
If you want to learn more, I provide workshops using the MAP framework for individuals or teams. See this flyer for more details or contact me here.