“When you’re 95 years old and looking back at life, what do you wish your life will have counted for?” I asked Bill this question as he began to explore his journey as a corporate manager to his post retirement life. Bill had risen through the ranks of his company and enjoyed his career. He was good at it and as a result experienced the fruit of his labor – nice home, car and professional standing within his company. He decided to come to me for coaching because he realized that although he had accomplished much in life he felt bland, empty and confused about life beyond retirement. What filled his garage and bank account was not filling his soul.

Perhaps you can identify with Bill. Maybe you are nearing retirement and wondering how to live this second part of life in a way that makes a difference. Or maybe you are younger and realize already that you would rather live a life that is significant versus accumulating stuff. If so, follow these three steps and you will be well on your way there.

First, begin with the end in mind. We often get so busy with life that we deal with the urgent tasks, responding to the demands of a job, family, home, etc. Unfortunately this doesn’t leave time for planning the trajectory of life. To live a significant life you will need to make an intentional effort to create a vision of what this looks like. Get alone, get pen and paper and begin answering the same question I asked Bill, “When you are 95 years old and looking back at life, what do you wish your life will have counted for?”

Second, live according to your values. When you are living life in alignment with your values things just seem to hum and feel right. But if you live out of alignment there is the sense of effort, frustration and futility. One fun way to discover your values is to ask, “What do people say about me? What do I do that drives them crazy?” The answers will hold clues to what you really value. This one change will increase your joy, peace and energy substantially.

Finally, write it down and begin to take action. If your vision is only in your head it will get lost in all the noise and clamor of the day. If it is only written without clear goals and a time line it will only be wishful thinking. There must be both a written plan tied to action steps to ensure you move from a life of busyness to purposeful action.

So what will you do today to live a life of significance? A couple of great resources are the Master Plan Goals sheet and the Inspired Retirement Planner. If you are interested in either click here for more information. These are the same tools that helped Bill make the transition to his life of significance!

Michael Pfau, M.Ed., PCC is the owner of Crossways Life Coaching, LLC and faculty member of the Professional Christian Coaching Institute. Michael can be reached at mike@www.new.crosswayslifecoaching.com or 484-461-6403.