The title of the essay implies that we are all managers and this is valid. Self management is an arduous task in Western culture as we are dealing with a society that demands external results. Have you wondered why our self esteem is a roller coaster experience?

To me, it is a roller coaster because we placed our emphasis on what society is dictates is right. It has no bearing on what is right for us based on who we are.

In our society, we have many people who have achieved career success. This career success is usually attributed to the external features of income, title, power, fame. The list goes on and on. It is external stuff.

Connected to this success is our society’s attachment to goals. There is a great value to goals if placed in the proper perspective. Goals give us a purpose. Goals represent the aspiration of yesterday leading to the inspiration of today.

In a sense, goals create self management but I suggest it is a very elementary form of it. Goals are a byproduct of results and purpose and not process and meaning. Goals are not our journey but destinations along its way. They can change annually, monthly or even daily. So, we keep setting them to stay competitive. Nothing wrong so far. However, consider the following: Have you ever set a goal with no higher meaning in mind?

In professional development seminars I’ve facilitated, goals amd planning represent the end but not the beginning and the end. The right goals come from the self management of discovering meaning and living our life through that process.

Discovering meaning is our hardest work as the answer is not in a formula or textbook but in our heart. When we discover and then practice this meaning, we are less influenced by society experiencing less of its roller coaster ups and downs. It is a form of spiritual groundedness.

Here are four suggestions in discovering meaning:

1) Write an essay about your life of meaning and success. From this content, pick out one word you would place on your gravestone. This word represents your compass of meaning.

2)Ask a a friend to deliver your eulogy and pretend to be in the back of the church listening to it. What is this person saying about how you lived your life?

3) The above two represent meaning through a personal mission. If this doesn’t work, create a list of ten values. Here is a sampling: Family, Achievement, Friends, Religion/Spirituality, Power, Helping Others, Creativity, Honesty,Service, Integrity. Suggestion: Prirotize fromm leat to most important. Your most important value represents your meaning.

4) Read or read the best seller ” The Seven Habits of Effective People”. One of these habits is ” starting with the end in mind. This end is the conclusion of how to live a life of meaning trough self management.

Lastly, consider spending one percent of your day (15 minutes ) in solitude, stillness and silence. Do nothing but observe your thoughts. In time ,you may discover your meaning. It is my hope that there is a suggestion of value to you!