Stephen Covey is a popular author of business and management and leadership. His famous book, 7 habits of highly effective people sold millions of books and helped me to become a good manager (when I've had the opportunity) and a good father.

One of the habits is "Begin with the end in mind"

I have created entire websites with this thought - making that site scalable, long-lasting. I have made life decisions and parental choices based on this as well. It has served me well.

I understand why people have delusions. I figured it out this year. I have spent no longer than a minute, from time to time, in a delusion and I am happy to report that I enjoy them. They relieve the pain. I have realized that a delusion is nothing more than a visualization of something that hasn't happened and likely will not - but it is a pressure valve that keeps people from exploding and imploding when reality is too much to bare.

One of the things that has helped take the pain and pressure away is having visualizations/delusions of life when it is all over. Not life, but the obligation. Being 30 years old was yesterday, it seems. Being 55 will simply be tomorrow.... so I begin here with that in mind.

What will life be like (better), What will people say about me (I endured), How will I spend my days (with joy), How will I look compared to my friends and family (healthy and alive). So I begin there - what will I require today to be there tomorrow.

Beginning with the end in mind is a fantastic concept and excellent principle.

Delude yourself brother, on occasion. Imagine what pleasures, accomplishments, goodness will be present in 15 years. Your conversations and love with your children.

What do you want them to say about you? You survived, you loved them enough, you endured. Beginning with the end in mind begins with a delusion, a plan, a vision....

If you can do this, you will soon realize there is but one thing to do... get to work now - today, to make it happen. You get to be the man that did the right thing, that survived, that endured, that walked the lonely road that ultimately leads to joy and happiness.

You get to walk the path that only the most courageous and honorable men can make. When you reach tomorrow and look back you realize the road's requirement was only to keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other, day by day, every day.

That is all...simple.