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The Day A Vision Changed My Life

RKGP Life Plan Week 2 Newsletter

Bill Shackelford

The Day A Vision Changed My Life Week 2

Raising Kids/Growing Parents Community

This is week two of our discussion of Life Planning. Let me tell you about an incident that happen when I was a teenager that changed the trajectory of my life.


My wife Renée and I met as we entered 10th grade at Englewood high school in Chicago. By the time we approached the end of our senior year Renée and I had both become very serious in our relationship. We both knew we would someday marry. Most of the students and teachers knew it, as well.


One day while sharing a moment between classes, Renée casually asked me where I was planning to go to college. I am sure she thought that would be a very simple question for me to answer. In her house it was understood that she would be going to college. However, in my house, things were a little different.


Of the nine children growing up in my house, six were males. Expectations were that when the male child finished high school, he would join the military and send money home to help support the family. Each of my three older brothers had taken that route, and now it was my turn.


When Renée asked me about my plans, I hadn’t decided what I was going to do. I did not want to go to the military (this was 1967 and the heart of the Vietnam War). However, I did not want to ignore my “family responsibility.”

I responded to Renée by telling her I was not sure what I was going to do after high school. Her very matter-of-fact response provided great clarity about my future life plans. She said, “I can’t marry you if you don’t go to college.” She turned and went down the hall toward her class. By the time I got to my class, I had decided… I was going to college.

Impact

My favorite Jim Rohn quotes is about having a life plan. He says, "If you don't design your own life plan chances are you will fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much."

Renée’s vision for her life forced me to go beyond “thinking about the options” to making the tough decision that was best for me and my future – despite the disappointment it may cause others. And, by living my dream, I was able to provide more support to my family than I ever could have without the degrees and the great life Renée and I were able to build together.


This is the power of a life plan. It’s not just a personal productivity hack – it sets a direction for your adulting and parenting journey. It also sets you up to be a role model for your kids. When you know where you’re headed, your children sense it. They feel safe because life decisions are made with purpose and unity.

Need More Motivation?

Here are a three things you can do to design the life you desire.

  1. Take a few minutes right now to visualize what you will be doing 5 years from now. Not "what you would like to be doing". What you will be doing. Visualize it, write or draw it out, and hold on to it. This simple activity will help you get the most out of this month's discussion.

  2. Check out our complimentary life planning tool titled “Why A Life Plan Is Important.” The tool includes a video highlighting 10 reasons why having a life plan is critical to achieving the goals you have for your life. You will find this tool in our AP Academy Store.

  3. Listen to the assigned podcast: If you have not done so already, listen to our Raising Kids / Growing Parents Podcast for this month, “How To Develop A Plan for Your Life and Why” (Season 01, Episode 03). Click on the picture below and listen to this podcast before you join us for next week's activities.

In next week's email, I'll share how you can start building your own life plan step by step.

Let’s Grow Together!

Bill Shackelford, Founder
AP Academy and
Raising Kids / Growing Parents Community

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