Timeless Advice: Have an I-P-A

What one does is what counts, not what one had the intention of doing. – Pablo Picasso

Our family with some of our favorite guys in Xi’an, China

Three years ago, we started planning a trip to China for our family.  We had talked about the possibility of this trip for years prior, but it was only a passing thought before we started to make our arrangements.  Planning a trip for what would be activities in four Chinese cities in addition to 10 total flights and hotel stays for six people can be daunting as you might imagine.  The planning and preparation took several months as we needed to obtain travel visas and the like.  But with all the hopes and dreams to visit China, we would never have left home until the credit card paid for the upcoming reservations.  Acting further a few weeks later, we packed our bags and experienced a trip of a lifetime.   

Pablo is right.  You can have the best of intentions, talking about them in detail, dreaming big dreams.  But it takes more.  Without planning, intentions will just be passing thoughts.  But without the action, intentions and planning together will remain much-deliberated dreams, and thus Pablo’s point.  If you want to Launch Your Life, you need all three; Intention, Planning, and Action…I-P-A.  If you are legal to drink and like a periodic beer, you may be familiar with the term I-P-A.  But our new I-P-A; Intention, Planning, and Action will provide you with many more life opportunities and benefits than an India Pale Ale.

While writing our upcoming book, we found several thoughts that personally touched our hearts in ways that challenged us in our faith, action, and character.  Similarly, we expect you have opportunities for growth in your nature, your spirituality, or your life in general as well.  Keep the thought of I-P-A at the forefront of your mind.  Do you want to find a new college major or find a new job? I-P-A.  Would you like to enhance your career development or consider additional education? I-P-A.  Go on a date? I-P-A.  Have a desire to learn more about God's word? I-P-A.  Do you want to grow closer to God or a friend? I-P-A.  Grow your personal ministry?  I-P-A.  Do you want to go to China? I-P-A.

The Launch Your Life book will directly help with the "I" and the "P" and inspire you on the "A," but the follow-through will be ultimately up to you.  Heed Pablo's words.  We want you to hear the call to faithfully move forward in life and feel empowered to do so.  Imprint I-P-A into your heart, engrain it into your mind and make it a part of your soul.  And where one door shuts, keep moving forward and look for another one that opens.  If plan "A" in your Action plan doesn't go as hoped, remember that there are 25 more letters in the alphabet, and over 3000 characters if you are in China.