More Production Yields a Better Life
August 4, 2018 by MarkHaroldsen
Filed under blog
In this post, I wanted to expand on Hyrum Smith’s great book, Purposeful Retirement (and yes you should go buy a copy!) He points out that studies show that the earlier you retire, the sooner you die. Having projects that are meaningful when you retire can not only raise your self-esteem and well-being but will also help you to live longer and stronger. So, if you are retired and, like me, have found that you don’t have enough to do and it’s driving you bonkers, or if retirement is in the not-too-distant future, it’s very wise and life enhancing to make a plan for your retirement years.
The key to this plan is to map out and write down the specifics of what you are going to do to truly make a difference in the world. From another great book, The Miracle Morning, the author Hal Elrod says, “you’re not supposed to ‘figure out’ what your purpose is.†Instead, he says, “you get to make it up.” So, it really is up to each of us to decide what we are going to do with the rest of our lives.
After reading this and giving it a lot of thought, I woke up the other morning with a very strong feeling of, “I know what I want my purpose to be.†My words to myself were, “I want to live, live, live, to give, give, give!” and I decided right then that from now on I would try to ask someone every day, “Is there anything I can do to help you?”
Perhaps, in doing this, I’m being a little selfish because I read in Smith’s book that, “through MRI technology we now know that giving activates the same parts of the brain that are stimulated by food and sex. Experiments show evidence that altruism is hardwired in the brain–and it’s pleasurable. Helping others may just be the secret to living a life that is not only happier, but also healthier, wealthier, and more productive and meaningful.” Plus, it helps you live longer. And, hey, I want all of those things!
So, my new resolution is to “produce” a lifestyle of giving that makes the world a better place! And I just figured out a way to make that easier and faster. I would like to volunteer to give free speeches, seminars, and mentoring to anyone who wants it–whether it’s on financial strategies and methods or other self-improvement habits. So, if I can be of service to you individually or to your group, club or organization, please let me know. I do think that “Great Giving produces Great Living.†Hmm. I like that saying even though I am just quoting myself. But who knows, maybe it will go viral and I’ll be famous … ho ho ho!
To contact me, you can leave a comment on this post (look for the “leave a comment†link at the top of the blog. If you don’t see the link click the header of the blog post to get to the blog post specific page and it should be there.) Or, if you get this by email, just respond to the email. I’m looking forward to hearing, and helping, you.
Hey Mark, I’ve really enjoyed your books and most recently your blog posts. More importantly I’ve enjoyed you. I appreciate this blog post and sincerely want to take you up on being personally mentored by you. I met you and your wife Kimberly a couple times. Hopefully you remember the last time I met you, we were at the Pay It Forward dinner. My wife and I had the baby and we talked right before we had to leave. Anyway, I’d love to meet up for lunch and learn from you. Also, if you’ve ever wanted to go fly fishing I’d love to take you out. I own a fly fishing business and guided professionally for 12 years before focusing on real estate. I know you’d have a lot of fun – Maybe your son Mark in Heber could come with us too? I first met your son Mark as I bought a building in Coalville that he had listed by Donna Page and we’ve become good friends now. I’ve told him before I’d take him fly fishing someday too. Let me know if your interested. Thanks Mark!