Acknowledgements This Flourishing Life Plan journal was inspired by and based on the Flourishing Development Plan created by the Institute for the Psychological Sciences for their online MS Program. I am forever grateful for the hope-filled vision of flourishing that was imparted to me by the program materials and the IPS professors.
Introduction We were made to flourish. We were created in God’s image and endowed with His dignity. We were made in love and for love. And our loving God placed into the heart of every human person a deep and unquenchable desire for happiness, so that we would seek Him and the true beatitude of Heaven. We were made for eternal flourishing. But this vale of tears that we’re in now? Yes! We were made to flourish here, too! How can we arrive at flourishing in this life? We experience flourishing when we positively and generously respond to God’s calling on three different, yet interconnected levels: • Personal growth in holiness: Forming a virtuous relationship with oneself as a child of God; strengthening one’s relationship with God; developing virtue. • Family and friendships: Working towards fulfilling relationships with one’s family, friends, and/or spouse. • Service in the community: Undertaking meaningful work through one’s career, or by serving in one’s church, town, or other community; being of service to others and transforming society. The purpose of this journal is first to help you to reflect on who you are and on God’s calling for you at each level of vocation. Then, based on your reflections, you will be able to create a goal-oriented plan for a flourishing life. This journal consists of three sections to aid you in forming your Flourishing Life Plan: • • •
Personal Values Long-Term Goals SMART Goals
Sections: •
Personal Values: Who are you? What is most important to you? What characteristics define you and your way of life? How do you want others to remember you? Knowing the answers to these fundamental questions can help you make virtuous life decisions, choose friendships, strengthen relationships, and seek out the True, Good, and Beautiful in ways unique to you. In this section, you will categorize the values that you currently possess, and those you wish to attain, according to the three levels of vocation. Then, you will create a mission statement corresponding to each one of your levels of vocation. For a detailed list of core values, go to www.corevalueslist.com. For help defining your character strengths, go to www.viacharacter.org.
•
Long-Term Goals: These are the statements regarding the desires you have for your future and the changes you will need to bring about your goals. The template has space for two long-term goals to be recorded for each level of vocation {six total}. However, you may record as many or as few as will help you to achieve your plan for flourishing.
•
SMART Goals: SMART {Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Bound} goals are the short-term, very specific goals that are the stepping-stones for achieving your long-term goals. For more help creating your SMART goals, go to www.smartgoals-guide.com. The template has space for two SMART goals per long-term goal {12 total}. However, you may record as many or as few as will help you to achieve your plan for flourishing.
A Reflection section is also included, where you can record your thoughts, conversations with Our Lord, or amendments to your Plan. *There is no right or wrong way to fill in your journal. Bring your heart to Our Lord, ask Him to show you the ways He would have you flourish, and then begin. And see what His powerful grace can achieve in your life.”*
Date Begun:
Mission Statement & Personal Values According to each level of Vocation Level 1: My relationship with myself and God; personal growth in holiness
Level 2: Relationships with my family; my role as wife and/or mother; friendships
Level 3: Service to my community through meaningful employment or volunteer work:
My Core Values: v v v
Vocation Level 1: Personal Growth & Holiness Goal 1 v Long-term Goal 1
v SMART Goal 1a
v SMART Goal 1b
Vocation Level 1: Personal Growth & Holiness Goal 2 v Long-term Goal 2
v SMART Goal 2a
v SMART Goal 2b
Vocation Level 2: Family & Friends Goal 1 v Long-term Goal 1
v SMART Goal 1a
v SMART Goal 1b
Vocation Level 2: Family & Friends Goal 2 v Long-term Goal 2
v SMART Goal 2a
v SMART Goal 2b
Vocation Level 3: Work & Service in the Community Goal 1 v Long-term Goal 1
v SMART Goal 1a
v SMART Goal 1b
Vocation Level 3: Work & Service in the Community Goal 2 v Long-term Goal 2
v SMART Goal 2a
v SMART Goal 2b
Notes & Reflections
