Joanne C. Preston, PhD

Editor of the Organization Development Journal & President of ISODC

There are days I feel my life's work is behind me.  Then I realize that I am healthy and still breathing and I dream again of the future. What will I achieve with my remaining time? What is there to accomplish that I wish I had done earlier.?

For those of you in your later years, many opportunities await. Now is the time to plan those plans. Do not retire from your 9 to 5 without a plan that makes you feel you are making a difference in your life. What the phrase, “Making a Difference” means to me and what it means to you are very different. They are important and do not let these dreams die with you. You now have more free time than during your full-time job. Spend it carefully to achieve peace and satisfaction. Build a strategy around what you want to do, accomplish and the legacy that you wish to leave behind. Your destination matters until the universe ends your journey.

How about younger individuals who dwell on past mistakes, missed opportunities, or feel stuck in a stagnant life? You are not your past. What matters is your destination. What brings you energy and happiness? Build a life strategy around the future that you want and start today making that happen. Every day, you build your future with the behaviors you engage in and the thoughts you think.

Starting to behave differently and focusing on your current direction makes everything achievable.

Regardless of your age, begin by reflecting on:

Intentional Living or Work: This phrase reminds us that every step will align with our goals, whether in personal development, career, or relationships.

Strategic Planning: It emphasizes the need to set clear goals and maintain a focus on them to ensure you are progressing in the right direction.

Meaningful Choices: It highlights the importance of making choices that lead to fulfilling destinations rather than aimless wandering or counterproductive paths.