✨ Are You Living by Design or by Default?

Hey friend,

Welcome back to Golden Pearls with Dr. Lycka.

Each week, we uncover a pearl of wisdom that can help guide your life with more meaning, more joy, and more purpose.

This week, we arrive at a turning point: Golden Pearl #5 – Intention (Purpose). Because when you live with purpose, even ordinary moments feel extraordinar

🟡 This Week’s Golden Pearl: Intention

"Without purpose, we drift. With purpose, we drive."
—Dr. Allen Lycka

There are two types of people in the world: those who drift, and those who design their lives with intention.

Living with intention means waking up each day with clarity—knowing what matters most and making decisions aligned with that truth. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being on purpose.

After my misdiagnosis with ALS, I realized that much of my life had been focused on external achievements: awards, success, accolades. But as I stared mortality in the face, I asked myself a deeper question: What legacy am I leaving behind?

That was the moment my intention shifted. I no longer wanted to just succeed. I wanted to serve. I wanted to help others live a fantastic life—before they needed a crisis to wake them up. That became my mission.

Harriet shares a similar story. In the aftermath of her attack, she had two choices: to merely survive or to live with purpose. She chose to mentor young women, helping them build confidence and self-worth. It wasn’t easy—but it was meaningful.

Here’s what we want you to know:

• Intention is not the same as a goal. Goals are outcomes. Intention is the why behind the goal.

• Intention gives your actions power. It keeps you moving when things get hard.

• It doesn’t have to be big. Being a kinder parent, more grateful friend, or more mindful leader—those intentions matter.

Try this: Write a simple mission statement for your life. Just one sentence. It doesn’t have to be polished. It just has to be true.

Because once you know your why, your how becomes a lot clearer.

So this week, let’s stop drifting. Let’s start designing.

🎧 Syndicated Radio Show: [Coming Soon] 

Each week, I sit down with extraordinary guests to explore what it means to live a fantastic life. This section will feature a short highlight from the Syndicated Radio Show, a quote or insight, and a link to tune in.

Stay tuned next week for our first featured guest!

📢 This Week’s Spotlight 

This section will soon include special opportunities—coaching invitations, speaking events, reader spotlights, and more. Stay tuned!

Let’s Stay Connected

💛 Hit reply and say “Hi, Dr. Al!” — I’d love to know you're here.

📥 Drag this email to your Primary tab so you don’t miss future pearls.

🌐 Click here to visit my website

Until next week, remember:

It’s not what happens to you. It’s what you do with what happens.

To your fantastic life,
Dr. Allen Lycka