{"id":2991,"date":"2023-06-20T05:59:57","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T09:59:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/what-constitutes-a-meaningful-life-frank-sonnenberg\/"},"modified":"2023-06-20T05:59:57","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T09:59:57","slug":"what-constitutes-a-meaningful-life-frank-sonnenberg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/what-constitutes-a-meaningful-life-frank-sonnenberg\/","title":{"rendered":"What Constitutes a Meaningful Life? \u2014 Frank Sonnenberg"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Profit<\/a>
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Most people start to think about their future in their 20s. They formulate their dreams of achieving wealth, power, and fame\u2026and 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?<\/p>\n

Everyone was put on this earth for a reason\u2026what\u2019s yours?<\/p>\n

Many people strive for wealth, power, and fame to impress others, but all the riches in the world won\u2019t guarantee a happy and fulfilling life. However, a meaningful purpose<\/em> will.<\/p>\n

10 Ingredients of a Meaningful Life<\/h3>\n

We\u2019re all busy, busy, busy \u2014 racing to the finish line. But if you\u2019re running in the wrong direction, speed doesn\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n

Here are 10 guideposts for forging a meaningful life:<\/p>\n

Own your life.<\/strong><\/span> You have a choice between owning your life<\/a> or outsourcing that responsibility to others. In essence, determining your future or blindly accepting what others want for you \u2014 and even becoming beholden to them.<\/p>\n

Make yourself proud. <\/strong><\/span>Instead of trying to look<\/em> good, be<\/em> good<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

Do what\u2019s right.<\/strong><\/span> Virtue isn\u2019t<\/em> demanding more of others; it\u2019s expecting more of yourself. The next time you\u2019re faced with a tough decision, do what\u2019s right rather than what\u2019s 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\u2019t compromise, or sacrifice something today so that you can benefit tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Put others\u2019 needs ahead of your own.<\/strong><\/span> In healthy relationships, you place others\u2019 interests ahead of your own and they do the same for you \u2014 no questions asked. There isn\u2019t a formal agreement. The commitment is much stronger. It\u2019s called a relationship<\/em> \u2014 and it\u2019s where you share, grow, and benefit together<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Do your best. <\/strong><\/span>People place a lot of emphasis on winning. The fact is that you don\u2019t have to be<\/em> the best, but you should always do<\/em> your best<\/a>. Doing your best isn\u2019t an activity; it\u2019s a mindset.<\/p>\n

Bring out the best in others.<\/strong><\/span> 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\u2019re fair. They may come across as intrusive, but it comes from a place of caring. The truth is that it\u2019s easy for someone to set the bar low, turn a blind eye to misconduct, or \u201cyes\u201d you to death. But someone who really cares will help you realize your true potential.<\/p>\n

Make a difference.<\/strong><\/span> 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 \u2014 and it may as well be you. But you can\u2019t make a difference if you don\u2019t try.<\/p>\n

Give back.<\/strong><\/span> There are many ways to give<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

Create a legacy.<\/strong><\/span> As a parent, it\u2019s your responsibility to raise kids who have strong moral principles and are productive members of society.\u00a0That 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.<\/p>\n

Lead by example.<\/strong><\/span> Be the person who others look up to \u2014 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\u2019t the fame and fortune that comes with success, but rather, it\u2019s knowing that you earned it the right way. At the end of the day, if you\u2019re not proud of who you are and the way you choose to live your life, little else matters.<\/p>\n

Are You Making a Difference?<\/h3>\n

We\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

Parents give you life. Only you<\/em> can give it meaning.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s lives, and left the world a better place for your children? The truth is that a meaningful life isn\u2019t measured by what you accumulate, but by what you give to others.<\/p>\n

Check out Franks NEW book, Leadership by Example: Be a role model who inspires greatness on others<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Are You Living a Meaningful Life?<\/h3>\n

Please leave a\u00a0comment<\/a>\u00a0and tell us what you think or\u00a0share it with someone who can benefit from the information<\/b><\/p>\n

Additional Reading:
Living Life With a Purpose<\/a>
Take Ownership by Taking Responsibility<\/a>
Change Someone\u2019s Life and You May End Up Changing Yours<\/a>
The Power of One<\/a>
Do You Do Your Best or Just Enough to Get By?<\/a>
The Greatest Gift Parents Can Give Kids<\/a>
Living the Golden Rule<\/a><\/p>\n

If you like this article, subscribe to our blog so that you don\u2019t miss a single post. Get future posts by RSS<\/a> feed, email<\/a> or Facebook<\/a>. It\u2019s FREE. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Profit<\/a>
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