Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy

“Living Forward” by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy is a guide for anyone who feels life is slipping away without realizing their true potential. This book emphasizes the importance of creating a Life Plan, a roadmap designed to help individuals take control and live with purpose. Published in 2016, it combines practical advice with deep introspection, helping readers craft a life aligned with their deepest values and goals.

7 Key Lessons and Takeaways

• Clarity of Purpose: Understanding your life’s purpose is crucial to living intentionally.
• Legacy First: Start by envisioning how you want to be remembered.
• Life Plan Creation: Develop a detailed, actionable Life Plan to guide your decisions.
• Life Accounts: Identify and prioritize the most important areas of your life.
• Triage Your Time: Master time management by aligning it with your Life Plan.
• Regular Reflection: Continuously review and adjust your Life Plan to stay on track.
• Commitment to Action: A plan is only as good as the action taken to implement it.

Who May Benefit from the Book

• Individuals feeling adrift or unfulfilled.
• Professionals seeking balance between career and personal life.
• People eager to align their daily actions with long-term goals.
• Anyone interested in leaving a meaningful legacy.
• Those struggling with time management.
• Readers looking for structured guidance to create life goals.
• Individuals facing life transitions and seeking direction.

The Book Summary in 1 Minute

“Living Forward” offers a structured approach to taking control of your life through a Life Plan. It encourages readers to start by imagining their legacy and then work backward to create a plan that aligns with their values and goals. The book guides you through identifying your priorities, managing your time effectively, and regularly revisiting your plan to ensure you stay on track. By implementing a Life Plan, you can live intentionally, making decisions that reflect your true purpose and leaving behind a meaningful legacy.

The Book Summary in 10 Minutes

Living with Purpose through a Life Plan
“Living Forward” is built on the premise that a purposeful life doesn’t happen by accident; it requires careful planning and intentionality. Hyatt and Harkavy introduce the concept of a Life Plan, a written document that serves as a roadmap for your life, helping you make decisions that align with your deepest values and long-term goals.

Start with the End in Mind
The first step in creating a Life Plan is to envision your legacy. This involves contemplating how you want to be remembered after you’re gone. By starting with the end in mind, you can better understand what truly matters to you, which becomes the foundation for your Life Plan. Hyatt and Harkavy encourage readers to imagine their own funeral and consider what they would like people to say about them. This exercise helps clarify your core values and priorities, which will guide the rest of the planning process.

Assessing Your Life Accounts
Next, the authors introduce the concept of Life Accounts, which are different areas of your life that require attention and balance. These include personal growth, relationships, work, and spirituality. By evaluating the health of each account, you can identify areas that need improvement and prioritize them accordingly. The goal is to ensure that your life is well-rounded and that you’re investing your time and energy in the areas that matter most to you.

Creating a Vision and Action Plan
With your Life Accounts in mind, the next step is to create a vision for each one. This involves defining what success looks like in each area of your life. For example, a vision for your health account might include being physically fit, eating well, and managing stress effectively. Once you have a clear vision, you can create an Action Plan to achieve it. This plan should include specific, measurable steps that you can take to move closer to your vision.

Managing Your Time Effectively
Time management is a crucial aspect of implementing your Life Plan. The authors emphasize the importance of taking control of your schedule and aligning it with your priorities. They suggest creating an ideal week template that allocates time for each of your Life Accounts. This helps ensure that you’re dedicating sufficient time to the things that matter most to you, rather than letting your schedule be dictated by others’ demands.

The Importance of Regular Reflection
A Life Plan is not a static document; it requires regular review and adjustment. Hyatt and Harkavy recommend setting aside time for regular reflection, where you can assess your progress and make any necessary changes to your plan. This keeps your Life Plan relevant and ensures that you’re continually moving towards your goals.

Taking Action
Finally, the authors stress that a Life Plan is only effective if it’s put into action. They encourage readers to commit to their plan and take consistent steps towards their goals. This might involve making difficult decisions, such as saying no to opportunities that don’t align with your plan or cutting back on activities that aren’t contributing to your vision.

By following the steps outlined in “Living Forward,” you can take control of your life, live with purpose, and leave behind a meaningful legacy.

The Book in 20 Words

“Living Forward” provides a roadmap to living with purpose, helping you design and implement a Life Plan that aligns with your values.

How to Get the Best of the Book

To fully benefit from “Living Forward,” take the time to create your own Life Plan as you read. Reflect deeply on the exercises, and commit to implementing the actions outlined in the book. Regularly revisit your Life Plan, making adjustments as needed to stay aligned with your goals.

About the Authors

Michael Hyatt is a renowned leadership expert, speaker, and author. Formerly the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, Hyatt has authored several bestsellers, including “Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World.” His work focuses on helping people lead with purpose and live with intention.

Daniel Harkavy is the founder of Building Champions, a leadership and executive coaching company. He has over 25 years of experience in coaching business leaders to achieve peak performance and fulfillment. Harkavy is also the author of “Becoming a Coaching Leader.”

Living Forward Quotes

“Those who feel satisfied with their personal lives are more satisfied with their careers and perform better.”

Conclusion

“Living Forward” is more than just a book; it’s a blueprint for living a life of purpose and intention. By creating and implementing a Life Plan, you can take control of your future, ensuring that your actions today lead to a legacy you’ll be proud of. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to live with greater clarity and direction.