“Only by changing the way you live, will you be able to create the legacy you want to leave,” says John Maxwell, leadership expert.
The process of changing the way you live must be deliberate.
One thing that we have learned in studying those that have tracked optimal performance in life is that there are “Vital Behaviors”—high-leverage behaviors that equip leaders to be difference makers in the world.
Vital behaviors are shaped around intentionality in life, which correlates directly to achievement.
- It has been shown that Vital Behaviors include the ability to identify your own specialness—understand the unique creation that is you, your unique strengths, gifts, talents and passions and how you can best use those to influence the greater good.
Then, engage in the ongoing process of developing your strengths—emphasizing your innate gifts and talents through skill development, knowledge acquisition and life experience.
- Achievement studies have shown time and time again a Vital Behavior for success is the conscious process of deliberately designing your life—creating a personal mission statement, which provides clarity and gives you a sense of purpose. It defines who you are and how you will live. It takes into consideration your character, achievements and principles you will live by.
As Wayne Bryan—author, public speaker and tennis great says,
“You gotta see it before you can dream it and you gotta be passionate about it before you can achieve it.”
The need to develop a stated personal mission and follow it up with definitive goals is not a new discovery:
“Where there is no vision the People will Perish”
Proverbs 28:19
To be sure there are additional Vital Behaviors necessary to becoming a difference maker in the world. However, if you are sincere and passionate to best pursue your purpose and potential—self-leadership is the required starting point in your search for Vital Behaviors:
“Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is to be achieved.”
William Jennings Bryan