The most effective way I know to begin with the end in mind is to develop a personal mission statement or philosophy or creed. It focused on what you want to be (character) and to do (contributions and achievements) and on the values or principles upon which being and doing are based.

In the long run, you can never accomplish a worthy end with an unworthy means.

The deepest desire of the human spirit is to be acknowledged.

If you focus on principles, you empower everyone who understands those principles to act without constant monitoring, evaluating, correcting, or controlling.

Treat them all the same by treating them differently.

We're constantly making choices about the way we spend our time. The issue is not between the good and the bad, but between the good and the best. So often, the enemy of the best is the good.

True independence of character empowers us to act rather than be acted upon.