What Constitutes a Meaningful Life?

Most people start to think about their future in their 20s. They formulate their dreams of achieving wealth, power, and fame…and try to balance their professional goals with a rewarding life outside of work. But, if you reached those goals, would that constitute a meaningful life or would you feel a void?

Everyone was put on this earth for a reason…what’s yours?

Many people strive for wealth, power, and fame to impress others, but all the riches in the world won’t guarantee a happy and fulfilling life. However, a meaningful purpose will.

10 Ingredients of a Meaningful Life

We’re all busy, busy, busy — racing to the finish line. But if you’re running in the wrong direction, speed doesn’t matter.

Here are 10 guideposts for forging a meaningful life:

Own your life. You have a choice between owning your life or outsourcing that responsibility to others. In essence, determining your future or blindly accepting what others want for you — and even becoming beholden to them.

Make yourself proud. Instead of trying to look good, be good. When you believe in yourself, you take pride in yourself rather than seeking approval and validation from others; you think for yourself rather than yielding to peer pressure; and you remain true to your values rather than blowing in the wind.

Do what’s right. Virtue isn’t demanding more of others; it’s expecting more of yourself. The next time you’re faced with a tough decision, do what’s right rather than what’s convenient. That may require you to speak up when others are silent, question the status quo when things are set in stone, remain steadfast when others cave in, find common ground when others won’t compromise, or sacrifice something today so that you can benefit tomorrow.

Put others’ needs ahead of your own. In healthy relationships, you place others’ interests ahead of your own and they do the same for you — no questions asked. There isn’t a formal agreement. The commitment is much stronger. It’s called a relationship — and it’s where you share, grow, and benefit together.

Do your best. People place a lot of emphasis on winning. The fact is that you don’t have to be the best, but you should always do your best. Doing your best isn’t an activity; it’s a mindset.

Bring out the best in others. One of the qualities of an exceptional friend or colleague is someone who helps you become the best you can be. They may come across as tough, but they’re fair. They may come across as intrusive, but it comes from a place of caring. The truth is that it’s easy for someone to set the bar low, turn a blind eye to misconduct, or “yes” you to death. But someone who really cares will help you realize your true potential.

Make a difference. Why complain about the ills of the world when you could make a world of difference to someone you know? It only takes one person to change a life — and it may as well be you. But you can’t make a difference if you don’t try.

Give back. There are many ways to give. Your gift need not come in a box. Your deed can be as simple as making someone feel special, reaching out to a lonely person, helping a troubled person find the right path, or comforting a friend. It can take the form of giving someone confidence, providing quality time with someone, or sharing an honest opinion.

Create a legacy. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to raise kids who have strong moral principles and are productive members of society. That includes giving them your unconditional love, being an active part of their lives, shaping their character, inspiring good habits, promoting the importance of education, encouraging personal responsibility, and most of all, being a good role model.

Lead by example. Be the person who others look up to — whose character is beyond reproach. Be the one who inspires others to achieve excellence. And be the one who lives with honor and dignity. The true reward for living a good life isn’t the fame and fortune that comes with success, but rather, it’s knowing that you earned it the right way. At the end of the day, if you’re not proud of who you are and the way you choose to live your life, little else matters.

Are You Making a Difference?

We’re so busy running on a treadmill to nowhere that we lose focus on the things that really matter. Before you know it, the seconds become minutes, the days become weeks, and the months become years.

Parents give you life. Only you can give it meaning.

When you look back on your life, will you gauge success by the power that you attained and the wealth that you accumulated? Or will you measure the degree to which your life was rich in character and purpose? Will it matter that you led an honorable existence, made a difference in people’s lives, and left the world a better place for your children? The truth is that a meaningful life isn’t measured by what you accumulate, but by what you give to others.

Check out Franks NEW book, Leadership by Example: Be a role model who inspires greatness on others