How one simple 5 minute exercise can change your whole year in 2026

Here's a quick assignment to help you plan for a compelling 2026.

Building Your Future Intentionally

Hi! This week at Medialight I began talking to the students about life planning. We did an opening exercise that I made myself do, though I have done it many times. I found that my answers this year are different than before.

I thought it would invite you to join us and do this exercise. Also, I hope you will. And I think it will help you a lot. Here we go.

List four characteristics you want to be known by.

Maybe write a few words after each of your characteristics to explain what you mean by it and why it’s important to you.

1.

2.

3.

4.

*I’ll tell you my answers later.

Write a three-line eulogy for yourself using the words that you hope others will say about you on the day you pass away.

Hopefully, this eulogy will be in alignment with the four characteristics above.

Plan intentional changes to your schedule, manner, and activities for 2006 to get yourself in alignment with these four characteristics.

It’s never too late to change how you are with other people. Life changes us, and our circumstances keep evolving. Our personal needs shift. Our health situation changes. All of this calls for us to live intentionally and make our life what we intend it to be, especially in its impact on others.

My Four Characteristics

Supportive: I think at this stage in life, the most important thing I can be from my literal children and my “adopted” children scattered around the world is to be an asset to them in building their adult life. I want people to say, “Dad is so supportive and approving of me.”

Trustworthy: Probably don’t need to say too much except that there can’t be even a hint of sketchiness in me. I can’t say nice things to somebody’s face and then criticize them to others. I need to keep my promises. I need to give off a general vibration that says, “This is a man you can trust.” I want my kids and friends to trust me to be only good for them.

Encouraging: The world has become such a negative, critical, harsh place, and people’s tempers are shorter than ever. I am by nature very analytical. I live in a mental world of systems, and I can generally improve on any system I see. This year especially, I’m going to focus on reigning in my critique and just try to launch encouraging words that build hope. I just want people to want to be near me because my positivity and encouragement will rub off on them.

Dynamic: I want to be a guy that makes things happen. I want my team to win. I want to help get the ball rolling, and I want everyone associated with me to succeed because of the energy and initiative I bring to the group.

OK, so that’s my four. Can you share yours with me and others?

It’s a good way to hold yourself accountable for this direction. Taking a position in public is one of the most important character-shaping things any of us can do.

Also, feel free to drop your eulogy in the comments. I’m not trying to be morbid. It’s just a really important mindset to have.

Here’s my eulogy: Chuck Quinley finished his race today after a lifetime of building big people. His biggest dreams were for other people, and he did all he could to make it happen for the hundreds around the world who affectionately called him “Dad.”

Now to live toward that for the next year. I’ve always loved the fourth quarter of a year the best because it helps me reset my sights and hit the New Year with a head of steam instead of waiting until the New Year to start thinking about my plan.

I want to use this platform to build you up next year. It will still have some Bible study, but mostly I will just share what I have learned and am experiencing about living an intentional life. under Jesus. Hope you’ll share this email with others and help me reach more people with my efforts to create helpful, life-giving content to offset all the other stuff we’re swimming in that is really so toxic.

Thanks for standing with Sherry and me. We deeply appreciate it.

With every prayer for your life in 2026!

Chuck Quinley