Lewis Carroll Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here? “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where--” said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat. =1 1

Habit 2 – Begin with the End in Mind The Habit of Vision/Having a Plan Develop a clear picture of where you want to go with your life. 2

Habit 1 says you are the driver of your life, not the passenger. Habit 2 says, since you’re the driver, decide where you want to go and draw up a map to get there. 3

Think beyond today and decide what direction you want to take with your life, so that each step you take is in the right direction. 4

We begin with the end in mind all the time. (It’s part of life.) All things are created twice: first mentally and then physically. We draw a blueprint before we build a house. We read a recipe before we bake a cake. We create an outline before we write a paper. 5

Why is it so important to have an end in mind? You are at a critical crossroads in life, and the paths you choose now can affect you forever. If you don’t decide your own future, someone else will do it for you. 6

The Crossroads of Life Here are a few crossroads / decisions you will have to make in your life as a teenager. Do you want to go to college? What type of friends do you want to have? Who will you date? What values will you choose? What will you stand for? 7

Why is it important to choose your friends wisely? They have a powerful influence on your attitude, reputation, and direction. How can school shape your future? 5 year plan GPA Class Rank 8

Who’s Leading? If you don’t create a vision of your future, someone else will do it for you. Friends Do you want your friends to tell you what you stand for? Parents Do you want them to draw up your blueprint for your life? There interests may be far different from yours. Media Do you want to adopt the values portrayed in soaps, magazines, and on the big screen. 9

“The road to anywhere is really a life to nowhere.” 10

A Personal Mission Statement A summary describing the aims, values, and overall plan of your life. It’s your life’s blueprint. It’s like a tree with deep roots. Everything around you will change and is very unstable. Your personal mission statement can be your deep-rooted tree that never moves and is stable. 11

Uncovering Your Talents An important part of developing a personal mission statement is discovering what you’re good at. Everyone has a talent, a gift, something they do well. We don’t invent our talents in life but rather we detect them. You are already born with your talents, you just need to uncover them. Victor Frankl 12

Tap into your talents We are all born with our talents, we just need to uncover them. Do you have any talents? Do you have true passion in your life? 13

Methods to help you write your personal mission statement. Method #1 – The Quote Collection Collect and the combination could be your mission statement. Method #2 – The Brain Dump Write whatever comes to mind. Method #3 – The Retreat Think about what you want to make of your life in a quiet place. Method #4 – The Big Lazy Use someone else’s mission statement. 14

Three Watch-Outs / Roadblocks Watch-Out #1 – Negative Labels Don’t let how people view you rub off on you. Watch-Out #2 – “It’s All Over” Syndrome Don’t let your mistakes cause you to self-destruct. “It’s Never Over.” Watch Out #3 – Wrong Wall Beware when we are climbing the ladder of success that the ladder is leaning on the right wall. 15

GO FOR THE GOAL Goals are details of your mission. Key #1 – Count the cost “Are you willing to make the sacrifice?” Key # 2 – Put it in pen “A goal not written is only a wish.” Key # 3 – Just do it! Commit to it and your power to complete it well increase. Key # 4 – Use Momentous Moments Learn to harness the power of key moments. Key # 5 – Rope Up Get assistance with carrying out your goal. (Teamwork) 16

Developing the Personal Mission Statement Give out handout (complete front side) Show following video Complete back of handout while music end of video. 17

Character is the discipline to follow through with resolutions long after the spirit in which they were made has passed. 18

Goals in Action David’s Goal - To be successful in his athletics. His weakness (skinny body) became his strength (forced him to develop discipline and perseverance). 19

Quote: “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, the hand of man can achieve.” Napoleon Hill 20

EDDIE LACY EivjZT1s EivjZT1s Based on this ESPN insider, what motivating factors lead to Eddie’s goals in life? Does this video segment touch you in any way?

Assignment – Ladder Exercise Sketch a ladder on your paper. Put a goal you would like to achieve at the top of your ladder. Write the steps to achieve your goal on each step of the ladder. Start at the bottom Work your way up Insert hand drawn pictures

Weakness to strengths People who lack the native physical, social, or mental gifts they desire must fight just that much harder. And that uphill battle can produce qualities and strengths they could not develop any other way – a weakness to a strength! 24

Carpe Diem Means - Seize the Day! Make your lives extraordinary! Leave a lasting legacy! Life is a mission. A mission asks, “How can I make a difference?” 25

Information in PowerPoint taken from the following: Sean Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. 26