We all have a story.

I'm talking about a life story. Not just what you've done in your life ("I was born in Podunk, Wisconsin with 2 brothers, yada, yada, yada"). No, the story I mean is what you are. What drives you. What motivates you. What you live for.

If you're a proud father, it might be your kids. Everything in your life revolves around your family. (I wish we had a few more of those in this world, particularly among men). Picture the guy on the seat next to you in the plane with a laptop screensaver of his kid, so excited to talk about his 2 year olds' latest adventure, and how he left his business meeting early and is racing home to be with his family.

Or, if you're a newlywed, its your new spouse - what she wants, how he acted toward you this morning, what the plans are for the weekend. Turning down going out with the boys to be with her instead - something I certainly didn't do enough of in my younger days.

In the business world, we all know people, usually men, whose story is money. That's it. It doesn't matter how they get it or who they hurt, as long as they get more. Or power. People - again, usually men - who trample on anyone to "get ahead".

The story that guides our lives is so important. It makes every decision we make much clearer and easier. Should I buy that new home? How does it fit with my firm belief that family is first? Or, my lifetime of intentional, aggressive saving for retirement; or to give to others? When we're young, we may not have a defined story. And that's a shame, because having a story makes our lives so much more purposeful. Striving "to succeed" isn't a story, its a flail. And that's how a lot of young people live.

As we age, our story gives our lives purpose. If God is the central focus of my life, I can judge how I'm doing every day by whether I've pleased my father with the actions and decisions of the day. If I live to be an entrepreneur, a creator, a "business artist," what have I done today to succeed in that line of life?

So, what's your story? What are the values and beliefs that guide your every step today and tomorrow? If you don't have one, get one! (especially if you are younger than me). If you can't articulate yours but think you have one, try to write it down and then revisit it periodically.