I heard it said and once agreed that I should start with the end in mind… however now I still believe that one should always start with the next beginning in mind. Why? It will take you to a place of emotional and physical excitement and anticipation that will launch you over any obstacle that stands in your way.

Just think of any of the major events in your life and how planning and anticipating them moved you from one hurdle to another by shearing excitement. How about preparing to go to university, preparing for your wedding day or the birth of a child, a big vacation? The event was bigger than the little problems that come along the way and so the start of that event propelled it forward, kept you laser focused.

What about the big blockbusters in theaters these days, are they written not with the end of the movie in mind but with the beginning of movie two, three or four in mind? At the end of the movie we are thirsty for the next movie, we can’t wait for it to be released to see how it will end… or rather, how it will “put together” the beginning of the next movie in the series. It becomes kind of addictive, how many Star Wars movies are there anyway? It leaves us wanting more, waiting with expectation for the next chapter. Hey, what about Jack Bauer and the TV blockbuster “24,” with every hour turning into the next, people planning a whole season of reunions to make sure they don’t miss a second of the excitement? These people are master storytellers.

And so for life, your life, who is writing your story? Do you live like you can’t wait for the day to end, or do you live each day like you’re “setting up” for the next scene, bursting with excitement for the day ahead?

Think about it…this shift in thinking will lead you to a mindset of building decade after decade, year after year, month after month, day after day, moment after moment. It will make you feel grateful for the last moment, but thirsty for the next.

Apply it to your business.

Start with the beginning in mind.

1. The beginning of tomorrow, next week, next month, next year… How do you want the script of your life to be written? Will it leave those you meet along the way thirsty for more of you?

2. Ask yourself, “What is the one thing I can do today to ‘prepare’ for the best tomorrow? What call can I make, what homework can I complete, what book can I read, what CD can I listen to, what person can I cheer on?”

3. Don’t let anything come between you and that “one thing”… imagine yourself on the scene, completing the task, direct yourself through the steps until the task is complete.

Now watch and see how your thirst grows and your anticipation rises as you realize with overwhelming excitement that a day has not come to an end… but a new day is about to BEGIN!

Live creatively, building moment by moment!