“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT)

One of the benefits of getting older is getting wiser. One of the areas I am getting wiser about is who I am and what I am to do. Sounds like a simple thing, but it’s not. There are so many voices in our society that seek to define for us what is important, who to emulate, and how to live. For years and years, I floundered around trying to figure it out. Today, I am anchoring my identity in Jesus’ statements in John 15: 1-17. Who I am is a person infused with the power of God to live a fruitful life. There is no middle man regulating the flow of power from God to my life. I am fully connected. With that belief, I can move from who I am to what I am to do with more confidence.

If you have read my book THRIVE!, you may have already completed the exercises on creating your vision and mission statements, as well as a vision board. Now, the challenge is to move into goal-setting that will enable you to fulfill your mission. This is the place where you ideas intersect with everyday life. Have you written personal vision and mission statements that are so compelling and inspiring that you are willing re-focus your life around them? If what you have written doesn’t energize you to that extent, pause and reflect. Go all the way back to your values. Have you settled the question of who you are and what you are to do? Once you answer these two questions, the rest will flow. You will be able to write down goals that you can commit to and use to re-focus your time on those things that are aligned with your vision and mission.

“Build your own dreams or someone will hire you to build theirs.” ~ Farrah Gray

If you haven’t read the book THRIVE! get started on your journey by ordering your copy now. This book will take you on a 40-day journey, giving you time to clarify who you are on a deeper level, what is important to you, and where you want to focus your energy.

You can order THRIVE! as a Kindle eBook or Paperback book from Amazon.com by clicking the link below:

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You can order THRIVE! as a Nook eBook or Paperback book from Barnes&Noble.com by clicking the link below:

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(Originally posted in February 2013)