In his book S.H.A.P.E., author Erik Rees categorizes people relative to their unique purpose as frustrated, fragmented or focused.  Some are frustrated and merely living a life of survival with no sense of their strengths or their mission in life.  Others are fragmented because they have some sense of their strengths and mission, but their time, talents and treasure are not allocated in alignment with what they know about their God-given wiring and purpose.  A small few are focused and are living life as it was meant to be lived: not only aware of their strengths and mission, but fully embracing both, with their decisions and resources reflecting their commitment to walk in their God-given destiny.

As Life Planners and Life Coaches, we work with people in all of these stages, recognizing they have different needs.

Frustrated: People in this group need to discover.  They need to discover themselves: their strengths, internal and external roadblocks that keep them from success, their unique mission in life, and a vision and plan for their future.  They need to discover Truth.

Fragmented: People in this group need clarity.  They need to be able to identify and prioritize what’s really important.  They also need strengthened to walk in those areas of importance and reduce or eliminate energy going outside their scope.  They often need help managing their boundaries.  They need to internalize Truth.

Focused: People in this group need affirmed.  They need to know they are doing it right.  And, they need recognized and rewarded.  They need to mentor or coach others.  They need to be challenged to bigger visions.  They need to profess Truth.

As we work with others, and for those of you who lead others, we must consider where they are relative to knowing their mission.  And take steps to help them discover, gain clarity or get affirmed.  Let’s play our roles.

Some questions for you to consider:

* Are people destined to live a frustrated or fragmented life? 

* Picture a frustrated and a fragmented person you know.  What’s one thing you’d like to tell each of them about themselves that you think would really help them?

* Does money guarantee being focused and vice-versa?