Before one begins an exercise program, they have an end in sight.  Whether to lose weight, run a 5k, or get ripped.  Many coaches will encourage their clients to put those goals before them every day.  They might post a time, a goal weight, or a picture of what they want to accomplish on a mirror.  I once worked with a trainer, and my goal was to look like Rory Mcllroy in a polo.  So I had a pic of Rory on my mirror.  

Leaders must condition their minds to think of the end before the beginning.  It is not about the start but the finish. In light of this, I would encourage every leader to write their own obituary.  Donald Miller in “Hero on a Mission” encourages his readers to do this.  I have done it and I reference it often.  This alone will truly spell out your value and vision.  If you would like to see a copy of mine before I die, just let me know!  This is not an easy practice, but it is worthwhile nonetheless.  If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.  What better way to condition our hearts for what lies ahead than writing how we want things to look in the end?  

Consider Jesus.  Jesus knew His end before there ever was a beginning.  Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to look “to Jesus, the founder and finisher/perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God…”  Revelation 13:8 states that Jesus was the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 

When Jesus stepped upon the earth, He knew exactly what His purpose was and what He had come to do.  As he would pass a man on a cross, even as a child, he knew that was what he had come to do.  Yet in the midst of knowing the pain that was to come, a time of extreme anxiety, anguish, and suffering, He lived his life in joy (Heb. 12:2).  He lived with joy because he knew the ultimate end.  The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.  He knew His purpose and lived accordingly.  

So why don’t we live in light at the end?  Why don’t we set a course for our lives and careers that will lead us to where we want to be in the end?  Whether a hammock in Hawaii or off the grid in a cabin, write it down!  Dr. Gail Matthews of Dominican University conducted a study on the importance of writing goals.  She found that writing goals down made people 42% more likely to achieve them.  A successful leader aims high.  He should have both his generous goals and his gigantic goals (dreams) to accomplish in his life.  In his book, “Buy Back Your Time,” Dan Martell says, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”  He was so adamant about this, he dedicated a whole chapter in his book titled “Dream BIG. Achieve Bigger.”  

Dream about how it ends.  Dream about the ones standing in line to pay their respects to you, and tell your children how much they appreciated you and the impact you made in their lives.  If that means the President of conventions or even the United States is in line, so be it.  Write in your obituary what you accomplished to cause this to happen, then set out to live accordingly!