Intentional Living Ch 1 4 482l2c

An Interactive Personal Growth Resource Guide

Based on the book by

John C. Maxwell

CH. 1 Your Life Can Be a Great Story Chapter Summary As John Maxwell began his speaking career, he noticed the greatest speakers didn’t just tell better stories — they lived them. Most people don’t see life as a story they can write; in fact, most don’t even see life as a story that they live! Instead, many people wake up and just ively accept whatever the day throws at them. They drift within their own story. Now, some people are organized and systematic, and there’s not a minute in their day that’s not ed for. But having command over every minute doesn’t count for much if the way those minutes are spent is determined by someone else’s agenda. John’s point with Chapter 1 is to wake people up to their own story, and to the power they have within every day to live a better life by being intentional with what they choose. When we choose to look at life as a story, we begin making choices to write our lives instead of accept them. We cease to be a character in someone else’s story and become the hero of our own. Life Changing Goals: 1. Understand the story you are telling with your life. 2. Do you want to a better story for your life? 3. Outline the better story they want, what will be your legacy?

How Your Story Changes You “One of the best places to start to turn your life around is by doing whatever appears on your mental ‘I Should’ list.”— Jim Rohn, Entrepreneur and Speaker The number one catalyst for change is action. And the first thing changed when you act is yourself. In life, it’s not what we get that makes us valuable. It’s what we become in the process that brings value to our lives. Action is what converts human dreams into significance. It brings personal value that we can gain from no other source. There are four benefits of taking action to live intentionally: • • •

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You Will Re-Affirm Your Values — Acting on what you value will clarify those values and make them a permanent priority. You Will Find Your Voice — You will have the confidence to speak and live out what you believe in front of others, and begin to develop moral authority. You Will Develop Your Character — ive people allow their character to be influenced by others. Active people work to form and maintain their own character and grow and develop because of it. You Will Experience Inner Fulfillment — Contentment is found in being where you are supposed to be. It’s found when your actions are aligned to who you are.

CH. 2 Why Good Intentions Aren’t Enough Chapter Summary Most people desire to do good and help others, and they give themselves credit for having good thoughts. Most of us judge ourselves according to our intentions. But as John Maxwell points out, there is a gap that people face between having good intentions and actually making a difference with their lives. How can people bridge that gap? By committing to intentional living. People who embrace intentional living move from a life of observation and wishing into a life of action and doing. This can be uncomfortable for some people because deep down they don’t believe their life can make a difference. John maintains that every life has a purpose and every life can make a difference — if we embrace the lessons of living intentionally. Life Changing Goals: 1. Identify key differences between good intentions and intentional living. 2. Can you think through some of the barriers you may have to intentional living? 3. Think through specific ways you can commit to living with intentionality and not just good intentions.

Where Do I Live? John gives a list of words that describes a life of good intentions, intentional living and a life that matters:

Words of Good Intentions

Words of Intentional Learning

A Life That Matters

Desire Wish Someday Fantasy Hopefully ive Occasional Emotion Somebody Should Survival

Action Purpose Today Strategy Definitely Active Continual Discipline I Will Success

Results Fulfilment Every Day Follow Through Continually Proactive Habitual Lifestyle I Do Significance

Which stands out to you from these lists?

Which of these lists most describes the kind of life you currently have? Why?

CH. 3 Start Small but Believe Big Chapter Summary People often believe that making a difference requires them to be someone they’re not or possess something they don’t have. John Maxwell reminds us that everyone starts small. When he was growing up Circleville, Ohio, John Maxwell was just any other teenage boy. But John wanted his life to make a difference in the lives of others. He had a dream that propelled him on his journey in life. The same can be true for you. The truth is that whatever you have — your unique skills, abilities, perspective and talents — is more than enough to begin making a difference in your world. All you need is the belief that fuels action, and the willingness to start small. Life Changing Goals: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Identify your level of belief in yourself. Identify your personal strengths Do you recognize that there’s resources at your disposal for making a difference? Do you think you can begin to take small actions that demonstrate the belief that you can make a difference?

How to Start Small President Theodore Roosevelt once famously said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Those are great words to keep in mind when you’re wanting to start living with intentionality. John shares four things that will help you start small but believe big: Start Where You Are — Opportunity is always wherever you are, so be willing to give of yourself where and when you can. What opportunity do you currently see in your present circumstances and location? Start With Your One Thing — Everyone has one thing they do better than anyone else — find your one thing and begin developing it. What is your one thing? Start Watching Your Words — What we say to ourselves either encourages or discourages us, so commit to using positive words of encouragement with yourself. What will you tell yourself every day to encourage you to get started? Start By Making Small Changes — Small changes in thought, reading, speech or habit — when put together over time — yield big results. What small change can you start making today to improve your ability to make a difference? Which of these four areas needs your greatest attention and why? How will answering the question help you believe big and start small?

CH. 4 Search Until You Find Your Why Chapter Summary So far in the book, John has encouraged people to take ownership of their lives and turn intentions into action. Chapter 4 introduces a significant shift on the road to intentional living: it challenges people to discover their why. The why of our lives gives us direction and focus, but many people never discover their why. Some think it’s beyond them or isn’t something they can know, while others never really believe their life has a purpose greater than just living as best as they know how or achieving career or financial success. John helps people grasp the big idea that everyone has a why. Knowing our why gives our daily lives greater focus — and the ability live a life that matters. This Session’s Goals: 1. 2. 3. 4.

You are encouraged to understand that you have a why. Every person’s why shapes their life. Invite participants to begin answering the three questions for discovering your why. Challenge participants to commit to begin discovering their why.

Five Benefits to Finding Your Why Discovering your why is an intensive process. You have to ask and answer a lot of questions, and in the end you still have to figure out a way for your why to impact what you do. But there’s no more significant step for helping you live a life that truly matters.

John shares five benefits to finding your why: Knowing Your Why Gives You Freedom — You have to find yourself in order to lose yourself. Understanding your why gives you freedom to serve other people and make a significant contribution to your world. Living Out Your Why Gives You Confidence — our why creates security and comfort for you in everything you do. When you have confidence, other people take notice of you and want to figure out why you’re different. Layering Your Why Gives You Momentum — There’s a deep connection between your strengths your why. The more you work out of your strengths in pursuit of your why, the more you increase both. Consistently Living Your Why Gives You Impact — Living out your why on a daily basis creates a compounding effect for your reputation and results, giving you a greater impact on your world. Knowing Your Why Gives You Longevity — Your why is your motivation to make every day count, no matter your age. It provides you with the necessary fuel to live until you die. Which benefit appeals to you most — freedom, confidence, momentum, impact or longevity? Why?