Write your own future with goals and values

I am a major Star Trek nerd -- a proud Trekkie.

I am in heaven watching this new season of Star Trek Picard week after week.

Jean-Luc is one of my all-time fictional role models. I named my son Jonas Luke as an homage (my wife didn't catch it for a while afterward.) I have a book in my personal library that examines leadership lessons from episodes of The Next Generation. I used to write Star Trek fanfiction in college.

I told you: MAJOR nerd.

So, in honor of my favorite starship captain, here is this week's whiteboard quote:

"The past is written, but we are left to write the future." - Jean-Luc Picard

The Lesson

As the captain says, the past is written. You can't choose what happens to you in life, but you can choose how you respond.

This is where your personal goals and values come into play: to help guide your actions moving forward. One way to help keep your goals and values top of mind is to write them down and keep them in a prominent place. This helps you hold yourself accountable.

Keeping goals and values in mind ensures that when faced with the challenges of life, you are able to write the future you want and not someone else's.

Watch the video

Values exercise: Personal code of conduct

One way to help solidify personal values is to write down a list of standards for yourself, traits that you want others to associate with you, and keep it somewhere prominent. I wrote down a list of seven items and keep it taped at the front of my journal.

My personal code of conduct:

1. Be kind. Show courtesy and compassion.
2. Be honest. Be true to yourself and others.
3. Be virtuous. Act with integrity.
4. Be courageous. Do not falter.
5. Be committed. Do not yield.
6. Be confident. Hold your head high.
7. Be exceptional. If you must do it, do it well.

Try writing down your own personal code of conduct and keep it in a place that reminds you of the standards you want to embody.

Send me your favorite quote

Is there something you heard or read once that just stopped you in your tracks and made you rethink your perspective on life? If so, please share it with me! I'd love to include your favorite quotes in future editions of the whiteboard. Who knows, it may provide someone with that little push or support they need one day.

You can message me here on LinkedIn, or contact me on Twitter and Instagram with the handle @crizoft. Additionally, you can email me your favorite quote at?[email protected].