The Hierarchy of Maturing to Living Your Best Life
Today I had the opportunity to host the virtual experience for the 2019 On Purpose Conference. One of our panelist was Home Depot Vice-President, Tim Wilkerson. As he was reflecting back on his career he provided me with an “Ah-Ha” moment.
Tim was sharing the major pivot point that led to the acceleration of his career. While doing this he compared the two styles he used to approach his career.
- He started his career by making the most of the opportunities that were in front of him.
- His career took off once he started being intentional about making the opportunities happen that he wanted to happen.
This insight from Wilkerson about his Home Depot career resonated with me immediately. It got me thinking about the choice we each have to either live our life unintentionally or maturing to intentionally live our best life. This thought led me to the concept of a 3 step maturity model to living your best life.
The 3 Step Maturity Model to Living Your Best Life
First, at the bottom of the hierarchy is when we let things happen and don’t make the most of it. Instead, we complain. We moan and groan about our situation and do nothing to change it.
Next, some of us are lucky enough to have childhoods that taught us to be resilient. As things are happening to us, instead of complaining we start making the most of the hand we are dealt. We become experts in turning lemons into lemonade and move up the hierarchy closer to living our best life.
Finally, some of us go even further. We either find a coach or teach ourselves how to look internally at our strengths, passions, and motivations to find our purpose. We stop letting things happen, and start making things happen.
This is the highest level in the hierarchy and reaching this stage allows you to live your best life.