What’s your North Star—and do you have a clear vision of what you want to be, do, and leave behind before you die?

• Living with the End in Mind, Practically: Robert Lewis introduces a practical life tool called the “North Star”—a simple but profound exercise to help men clarify their life purpose. It’s a personal vision statement built around this prompt: “Before I die, I want to…” Completing that phrase across several categories helps a man live with intentionality.

• Key Categories for the North Star Tool:

  1. Be – Who do you want to become?

  2. Do – What do you want to accomplish?

  3. Have – What experiences or possessions do you desire?

  4. Help – Who do you want to serve or impact?

  5. Enjoy – What brings you joy that you want to prioritize?

  6. Leave – What legacy do you want to leave behind?

• The Danger of Drift: Many men go through life burdened and bent by responsibilities, pressures, and comparison—Robert calls this the “reactive life.” It leads to burnout and purposelessness. Instead, he urges men to live a “proactive life,” guided by purpose, conviction, and vision.

• Two Ways to Live:

  1. Comparing and Competing – Living based on what others do or have, leading to exhaustion and envy.

  2. Envisioning and Enjoying – Living by looking forward, anchored in a personal vision, leading to clarity and joy.

• Personal Vulnerability and Modeling: Robert shares his own “before I die” goals—ranging from coaching football again to writing a screenplay and helping plant 100 transformational churches. He models how this exercise applies at any age, affirming that it's never too late to start dreaming—or start over.

• Encouragement by Age:

  • For Older Men: It’s not too late. Reclaim your second half.

  • For Younger Men: Start now. Your dreams can be purer, bigger, and more long-lasting if formed early.

  • For Everyone: This tool is your compass, your GPS, and your life’s alignment check.

• Final Charge: Robert emphasizes that crafting this North Star vision may be the most important thing a man ever does as an adventurer. It shapes not just what he does, but who he becomes and how deeply he lives.

• Ecclesiastes 4:4 – Rivalry and comparison as vanity.

• Ephesians 5:15–16 – Walk wisely and make the most of your time.

• Proverbs 16:9 – A man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

• Genesis 1:28 – God’s design for man and his purposes.

• Proverbs 20:5 – Drawing out the deep purposes of a person’s heart.