New Year Goals to A New Purposeful Level
In a workshop I was once handed a paper with a picture of a tombstone and the words written below it said to fill in the blanks on the gravestone what I’d want my life to have been about, or what I’d like to be remembered for. It was a thought-provoking exercise that brought my whole life down to its simplest component of my purpose. It caused some deeper soul searching.
Even Richard Bolles, author of multiple editions of a well-known book on job searching, goal setting and career identification, has you examine what you want to accomplish before you die. So instead of jumping into writing down your new year’s goals, give thought to and determine your purpose before you make out your goal’s list. (Your purpose inspires and gives meaning to your life now and for what you want to become). Your goals will naturally support this.
Take a few days to examine your self and discover your purpose and then consider all the areas in your life you want to give it expression through helping others. i.e. “I want to be able to help people with their needs.” You can do this through many ways, such as: Acquisition (helping people buy things, a home, etc.); Personal services (caring for the elderly, children, or providing special services such as food, clothes repair, etc.); Learning or Training (guiding others in personal or work endeavors, etc.); Entertainment (supporting others through the arts, as a performer, a comedienne, etc.); Legal or Medical services, etc.
From that longer list that has more ultimate and applicable meaning for you, you’ll have a sense of goals that you’d want to accomplish and decide what you’re ready to focus on to accomplish in the new year beyond your ego desires. In the process of giving where your focus is on others, your own life alters in rewarding ways.
Tags: determine your purpose, discover your purpose, goal setting, new year's goals
