How far can you really see? Simple question, isn’t it? But I am not talking about seeing with your eyes. I think even blind people can see things in their mind, but I am not going to dwell too much on that, but instead I hope to take you beyond your natural inclinations to think deeply on a much more interesting topic.
In his highly acclaimed book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey presents powerful lessons in personal change.
In the 2nd habit, the author suggests to begin with the end in mind. What it all means is to begin with the image of the end of your life as the frame of reference by which everything else is measured.
Covey illustrates the concept with a visualization exercise asking you to imagine that at the end of your life, you are able to listen to what was being said at your funeral. He further invites you to determine what you would like to hear people say about you, as a father, a life partner, a colleague … Whatever it is you would like to hear, you can then be in a position to start living the kind of life that will make it happen.
The book further went on to suggest developing a personal mission statement, philosophy or credo based on your values and principles that will help you focus on what you want to be (character), and do (contributions and achievements).
All this is based on the theory that all things are created twice and that there is a mental first creation and there is a physical second creation and that management is being efficient by doing things right, while leadership is being effective by doing the right things.
Some people have adopted the principles of this book and have gone on to become highly successful and effective people. There are also countless other people who could not fully implement the principles because they could not bear to change their characters first. Perhaps, their over-inflated egos or impatience has prevented them from achieving what they want. After trying out some of the ideas, they come to realize that the book is not a quick-fix book. They need to change their own way of looking at things, and start to mature from a dependent stage, to an independent stage and then to an interdependent stage before they can really see some substantial results.
For those who had some success, should they be overjoyed with their achievements?
Now, come back to the question, “How far can you really see?” Does your journey end at your funeral?
In the book, The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren, the author explores the question of what on earth I am here for. When you read about the 5 purposes for living this life, you will soon discover that God is part of the equation. When we come to think of it, our life on earth is really very short – 60, 80 or even 100 years.
As Jesus Christ said in Matt 7:24~27, “So, then, anyone who hears these words of mine and acts accordingly is like a wise man, who built his house on rock. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house, but it did not collapse because it was built on rock. But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not act accordingly, is like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain poured, the rivers flooded, and the wind blew and struck that house; it collapsed and the ruin was complete.”
So how far can you see beyond this life? We should be aiming for eternal life!