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I recently saw the film, Jack Reacher, starring Tom Cruise. One scene still stands out in my mind. Jack, who previously was a military policeman, was explaining how he was trained to protect America’s freedom. He explained, this is the home of the brave and the land of the free. Or is it? Look at those people are they free? Free from debt? Free from struggle? Free to live their life the way they want?

His point was that very few of us are truly free. So I got to wondering how we judge our lives in terms of freedom, courage, integrity, and so forth. Can we truly use those words when we reflect on our own lives?

I do not have any answers. That is probably why that scene is still stuck in my mind. How free is free? How free should it be?

I would like to believe that those words stir thoughts of pureness that we strive for but maybe can never reach. Like ultimate targets, not just descriptions. Maybe brave and freedom represent a states we can never achieve.

Ultimate it points to the need for self-reflection. What does it mean to me? How can I do something different to achieve a different result. We need to calibrate daily. Are we as brave as we could be? Are we as free as we could be? Is our integrity as strong as it could be? Is our purpose as clear as it could be?

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Put first things first and we get second things thrown in; put second things first and we lose both first and second things.” How important is it for you that you have your priorities right?

I have written many times about goals, and purpose, and finding your passion. I think that knowing our priorities (the first, the second, the third, etc.) can only be done effectively if you have been able to define your purpose, and your values.

Each day you can set priorities. Each day you can live fulfilling the tasks you choose to pursue. Each day you can be successful. But if you don’t have a big picture view of what you are trying to accomplish, then you may take many detours.

If you are working on your list of resolutions for the new year, try to prioritize them. What is first? What is second? Take some time to define your priorities from a big picture view of what you want to accomplish this year.

Practice applying the discipline to follow these priorities and increase your success.

I read a lot of books. I also write my thoughts weekly about leadership, personal growth, and success strategies. But nothing I read fits me perfectly. Maybe that is why I continue to read.

Different strategies applied in different ways, and mixing and matching pieces of advice is what will make a difference. Finding the right combination that speaks to you as a person.

Using tested successful methods will help you, but don’t copy practices blindly. I am glad you read what I write, but I am sure you are not able to use all of what I write. Maybe that is why I keep writing also.

Find the techniques that help you on your journey to success by patching together the ideas that resonate with you. Find the method that consistently motivates you to be better. Then constantly adjust to improve!

When you ask an elderly retired person what they would have changed in their life, you probably would not be surprised that no one would answer, “I wish I would have worked more.” Instead you will get answers like these:

• I wish I had spent more time with my family.
• I wish I had managed my money better.
• I wish I had taken better care of my health.
• I wish I had given more to others.

Hopefully, you have created your new year’s resolutions. Look at them and ask yourself are you on the path to be able to look back when you retire and know you have no regrets? There is no perfect time to change direction and align your plan to meet your bigger purpose. But best time is now.

This week’s challenge is to review your resolutions, and adjust them to make sure they are aligned to your long term personal goals, not just a short term objective. Try to make everything on your list help you achieve no regrets.