“To live long is almost everyone’s wish, but to live well is the ambition of a few.” —John Hughes
Think for a moment about the people who’ve left a positive, lasting impact on you. Some may have lived long lives, others short. But without a doubt, almost all of them lived well.
Chances are, their lives were marked with characteristics you desire for your own. They were probably loving, selfless, warm, and a joy to be around. Maybe they were particularly gifted in a talent or skill—probably ones they worked hard to develop.
These individuals remind us that the fullness of life isn’t found in the number of years that we live, but how well we lived the years that we were given.
As Seneca once wrote, “Life is long if you know how to use it.”
It is important for all of us to realize that our legacy can be the same as those names and faces that came to your mind.
Those who influenced you positively, no doubt, came from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Some may have had financial means, others did not. Some were extroverted and the life of the party, others were quiet and reserved. Some loved attention, others preferred a more private life. Some were educated, others not. Some held a position in the world that people were envious of, others did not. Some were shaped by a life of trial and hardship, others seemed to live a semi-charmed life.
Those who lived life well, and impacted us positively as a result, are not tied together by any one specific characteristic or experience. Instead, they made the most of their days—and left a legacy worth following because of it. And that means we can do the same.
Why is it important that we realize our legacy can be both positive and lasting? Because there are people counting on us to accomplish that.
But how do we accomplish this? How do we shift our focus from merely adding years to our life to enriching the life in our years?
Better put: How do we live life well?
The exact path will vary from one person to another, but there are some universal principles to guide us in that pursuit. I would like to list them here:
1. Believe It Is Possible
Nobody accomplishes an important achievement without the belief that it is possible. I do not know what lies in your past. But I know what can lie in your future. No matter how many years have passed or mistakes have been committed, you can live the rest of your life well.
Believe in your potential—because only when we see the potential in our lives will we be motivated to fully discover it.
2. Define Your Purpose
A clearly defined purpose guides our decisions and gives our life direction. It’s what drives us to get up in the morning, fuels our passion for living, and becomes the legacy that we leave. That is why it is so important we take this step.
Find quiet and solitude to search your heart and define your purpose if you haven’t already. And don’t let the need for perfection sabotage progress. Even if all aspects of your purpose have not been fully defined, move in the direction of what you believe to be true and the rest will reveal itself to you.
3. Remain Intentional in Your Pursuit of Purpose
Intentionality is choosing to live according to what matters most. Remaining focused and intentional in the pursuit of our purpose means that we will not be blown off route by the changing winds and trends of culture.
There are times certainly when we lose focus and become distracted by other things, but when we keep our mind and eye on the chief goal of our lives, we will eventually adjust and recenter our life around purpose.
4. Love and Generously Share with Others
I am not here to tell you what your main purpose and goals in life must be. But I can tell you that every study ever conducted shows us the same thing: a life lived in love, generosity, and service always results in greater satisfaction, fulfillment, and joy at the end.
Almost certainly, those who left the greatest positive impact on your life lived selflessly caring for others. We would be wise to learn from their example.
5. Work Hard for What Matters
Dedicating ourselves to meaningful work—work that significantly impacts others—provides a sense of fulfillment that money cannot buy. Working hard for the sake of others doesn’t just result in providing for our financial needs, it results in meaning and satisfaction.
Don’t view work as something to be avoided or quit altogether, see it as an opportunity to love. And complete it diligently.
6. Make Every Day Count
See potential in every day, embracing both its challenges and joys. As Benjamin Franklin said, “Lost time is never found again.” Once you’ve wasted time, you can never get it back. And the choice must be made every morning. See each day as a gift and opportunity.
7. Take Care of Yourself
Gary Thomas once wrote, “Your physical body is the instrument through which you make a difference in the world.” If we are going to live well, it is important that we care for the physical body that we live in.
Exercise, eat well, care for your health. This practice has the potential to extend the number of days in your life. But more importantly, it will allow you to accomplish the most during the days you do have.
8. Embrace Life’s Lessons
Adversity is a great teacher. Facing hardships with resilience and learning from them shapes us into stronger, wiser men and women. Do not see failure as failure—see failure as an opportunity to learn.
Equally so, we should learn from our mistakes (and the mistakes of others) in order to continually improve each day. And when trials come into our lives that were not caused by us, we learn from them as well.
9. Choose Happiness
Happiness is a choice that can be made daily, regardless of circumstances. It comes from appreciating what we have and finding the joy around us each day. Waiting until the weekend to be happy (or waiting until circumstances change) will leave us waiting forever.
10. Practice Solitude
Spend time each day in meditation, devotion, or quiet reflection. These times of introspection help us become more present and aware, enhancing your appreciation of life’s moments.
11. Pursue Virtue
Choosing to live a life marked by virtue is not just about avoiding wrongs, but actively doing what’s right, embodying qualities like honesty, bravery, compassion, and integrity. In many ways, a virtuous life is its own reward, setting a foundation for peace, harmony, and a deep sense of fulfillment. But it also gets noticed by others (especially in a world that seeks to destroy it) and sets a powerful model for them of a life well-lived.
12. Stay Curious
Life is an endless opportunity for learning and growth. Remaining curious opens you up to new experiences, ideas, and perspectives. Everyone we meet has something to teach us. Becoming curious about their experiences and worldview allows our mind to grow and expand and become bigger than the one version of life we have lived.
13. Simplify Your Life
Simplicity allows you to focus on what truly matters. Eliminating clutter—from your home, your schedule, your mind—frees you to live more fully.
14. Prioritize Your Spiritual Well-being
We are made of mind, body, and soul. Just as we invest in physical fitness and mental acuity, dedicating time and energy to our spirituality is important. Do not neglect it. The practice will help you see the world bigger than yourself—and offer you rewards greater than the world can provide.
Living well is a gift to ourselves, a gift to those closest to us, and a gift to the world.
I might even go so far as to say the greatest accomplishment we can pursue is to live our lives to their fullest potential. May that be the life we seek.