Imagine you wake up one morning and you are handed a bucket. You are told you have all day to fill your bucket with shiny objects. You set out on a path where there are a multitude of different kinds of beautiful nuggets of precious metals and gemstones of every color, shape and size.

They are all so tempting you rush down the path wasting no time, busily filling your bucket because the instructor told you, you could keep whatever you put in your bucket.

When you get to the end of the day you have two problems:

Some of the shiny things you tried to put in your bucket have fallen out and many were your favorites. The bucket has a finite capacity and as much as you’d like to put more in, they just won’t fit.
No one told you which of the shiny things was more valuable than the other so, you are not sure you have the right amount of the right stuff in your bucket. You find out at the end of the day, even though they all have value you can only use certain kinds to buy certain things.

And so it is with life. Every morning you are given a bucket called a “Day”. You can fill it with whatever you want but it has a finite capacity. If you try to put more in your day than will fit, some things will fall out. These are called broken commitments. These broken commitments often lead to disappointment and regret for you and often others you love and care about.

Unless you are clear about what is most valuable to you, and in what proportions, you may fill your bucket with copper pennies (work) instead of diamonds (your family and friends) or gold (taking care of your health).

Every day matters! None of us know how many days, hours or even minutes we have left. And, each of those days, before we know it, has added up to a lifetime. The question is, in the end…will it have been a lifetime of regret or the deepest satisfaction for having put the most valuable things in your bucket each and every day?

Why not take some time today to stop and create a plan that will insure your ultimate satisfaction?

Sit down in a quiet place where you won’t be distracted or disturbed.

Imagine it is the end of your life. As you look back with great satisfaction, what are the things you find you are grateful for? Now, make four lists…

Write down:

All of the people with whom you consciously developed deep, meaningful relationships with.
All of the places in this great, big beautiful world you have enjoyed visiting and exploring.
All of the things you have acquired, from material possessions, to the knowledge and wisdom you’ve received from the books you’ve read or classes you have attended, to the memories of the greatest emotional experiences you had and shared with loved ones, to the enlightenment you’ve received on a spiritual level.
All the great contribution you have made by sharing your special gift. By fulfilling your purpose and fueling it with your passion, how have you made the world a better place?

Once you have these lists, make a plan to put the right kinds of shiny objects in your bucket every day.

Remember, a life well lived requires an effective plan. Plan to live well.

Guest blogger Don Cote is presenting a free seminar for NHLA members on November 18 at the Staybridge Suites from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Register to attend.