Ever since the introduction of the automobile, Americans have been busily traversing our country’s roadways for work and play. It has broadened our horizons and led us to new destinations, creating innumerable memories in the process. Yet to get from point A to point B, our vehicles require more than a key in the ignition.

Find a Gas Station

It’s a fact that cars require fuel. Similarly, once you decide to embark on the voyage of writing your life story, you need fuel for your trip. Your life story requires content that will keep your readers engaged and the story moving forward. Content can be drawn from many sources, including the following:

  • Beliefs/Values – what are the driving forces behind the decisions that you make on a daily basis? Why do you hold those beliefs? How have they benefited you?
  • Life Lessons – although learning through trial and error can’t always be avoided, what are some things that you have learned the hard way that can benefit someone else?
  • Memory joggers – lists of random questions that get you thinking about your past
  • Sensory triggers – sometimes all it takes to immediately bring a memory to mind is a certain smell, sound or taste. For example, the smell of a new box of crayons, the sound of a leaf blower and the taste of chestnuts are each associated with vivid and specific memories of my past.
  • Photos – almost everyone has a collection of photographs, either digital or printed. They are sometimes the easiest way to discovering what you want to write about, but they can also be time consuming to go through.

Fuel Up

Gasoline for your vehicle requires daily monitoring. Sometimes you have to go out of your way to get it, you have to stand outside in the elements to pump it and you have to adjust to its fluctuating price.

Similarly, in order to write a meaningful legacy, you can’t just think about it. Procrastination will ultimately leave you with an empty tank. Thus, to get your beliefs and memories out of your head and into a book, you must weather the challenges and occasionally be willing to go outside of your comfort zone as you learn to apply new knowledge and techniques.

To help you move from thinking about writing your life story to actually doing it, consider implementing the following action items:

  • Create a schedule – daily writing is ideal, so pencil it into your calendar. Include your completion goals and establish a deadline.
  • Determine a Daily Word Count/Page Count – be realistic, but work toward a specified number of words or pages to achieve every day. For example, if you write just one page every day, you’ll have a complete 365-page book at the end of the year.
  • Tell Someone – the accountability factor shouldn’t be overlooked. Knowing that someone is going to ask you how your book is coming along every time he or she sees you will often spur you into action. One caveat, however: make sure it’s someone who will truly support your efforts, not undermine them.

Turn the Key

Of course, fuel alone doesn’t power a car. It also requires a spark to ignite the engine. With your life story, that spark is your motivation. Why are you writing your legacy? Who are you writing it for? What is the end goal you wish to achieve?

If you don’t have answers to those questions, or if your answers don’t inspire you to take action, then your legacy will flounder indefinitely.

Too often, people start strong and then quickly get lost along the way or burn out before crossing the finish line. Perhaps they have so much content that they get overwhelmed when trying to organize it into manageable pieces. Or maybe they get sidetracked by family responsibilities and work obligations. There are many reasons why people don’t finish their life story.

Don’t let your legacy sputter and stall. Keep your motivation front and center, and know that roadside support is available.

Enjoy the Ride

Car owners have to periodically perform routine maintenance tasks, such as oil changes, to keep their vehicles running smoothly. Some people change their own oil because they enjoy the hands-on process and/or want to save money. When they are first learning, they are usually guided by a family member or friend, or perhaps they seek out a YouTube video and/or DIY manuals. The same holds true for your life story. Yes, you absolutely can write your life story on your own, but you can reduce the trials and errors and simplify the process by taking advantage of the guidance and resources available to you.

Alternatively, other people take their cars to a garage to have the oil changed for them. They like the professional service, quick turnaround and clean process. They don’t mind paying the fees because the convenience is worth it to them. In the realm of life story, you have that option as well by commissioning a biography, in which you hire a professional to write your life story on your behalf.

In the end, it all comes down to your preferences and overall goals.

But whatever you do, don’t allow your life story to end up in the junkyard. Give it the fuel it needs to become a purpose-driven legacy that entertains, educates and inspires.

Photo courtesy of Joe Ross via Flickr.com