I would like you to take a moment and think about this one question:

“WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME TO LIVE LIFE ON PURPOSE?”

It is time to make those New Year resolutions and I do mean a list of resolutions – not a wish list. Not hoping to make something better in 2009. You see, most individuals will find themselves in this same place next year with the same problems, behaviors, habits, results, and yes… still hoping things will get better. Why? They set their resolutions, but never took action toward achieving their goals.

So, what does it mean to you to “live life on purpose?” Have you thought about it? It’s more than just a catchy phrase. If you haven’t taken time to think about what is important to you, maybe you should. Write down your thoughts. If you lived life on purpose for an entire year: what would you do, what would you change, how would you feel?

For more than 10 years I have had the opportunity to attend a personal coaching program, and it has literally changed my life. When things get busy in the everyday shuffle, problems arise, or life just happens, it has given me the tools to stay focused on what my priorities are, on what are the most important things in life: my faith, my wife, my family, my clients, my integrity, my health, and my business. I set goals in each of these areas because they are important to me. There are a few things that I have learned that have helped tremendously and which I would like to take a moment to share with you.

First is goal setting: Write down your goals and don’t be afraid to elaborate or put your emotion into these goals. Your goals are made from your deepest desires and are full of passion. Dr. Tad James and many other business and life coaches believe in using “SMART goals”, which are written in the present tense and help the unconscious mind concentrate on goals as if they have already been achieved. SMART goals are…

Specific
Measurable
As if now
Realistic
Time bounded and Toward what you want

If you make 1-year goals, break them down into goals that will allow you to take steps toward this goal. Write 6- month, 3-month, 1-month, 1-week and even 1-day goals. Do the same for longer time bounded and shorter bounded goals if you need to make them manageable. Now is the hard part: look at your goals every week. They are not set in stone and can be changed. It is important to keep them realistic and keep moving toward them.

Next is making the time: Get out your 2009 calendar and a pen (not a pencil). Did you set goals about spending time with the important people in you life? Great. Find the time now and schedule it. Yes, the 1- week vacation with your spouse, the weekend get-a-ways, the date nights. Yes, the trip you are taking to see your grandchildren and the other one to see old friends. Yes, the spiritual retreat you are going to and the personal development classes you promised yourself. Yes, even the day you are going to clean out the garage!

Last is thinking about the things you don’t want to: Living life on purpose is not the same for everyone… smoking three packs of cigarettes every day, never getting cancer and dancing until you’re 120 years old isn’t reality and isn’t much of a purpose to build a life upon. Did you think about the things that maybe don’t seem important, but are the things that might allow you to do what is important? What keeps you awake at night? Take care of it. Are your legal documents updated? Is your estate plan in order? Will be spouse and family be taken care of if something happened to you? What about your business? Are you exercising? Eating right? Have you had a physical lately? (If you are over 30…you better.) Do you have the relationship you want to have with your children? What about your spouse?

It is true that this is easier said than done. Most of you who read this article will look back at the end of the year and realize you’re the person who never took the initiative. But for some of you, I assure you that this can be the first, most important step you take towards living your life, your dreams, your challenges, on purpose. Just take this first step, then the next. You will surprise yourself by looking back and realizing that 2009 was the first year you lived on purpose.