Make Your Resolutions On Purpose This Year
This time of year there is a lot of talk about New Year's resolutions, starting over, setting new goals and planning for the next 12 months. Despite the hype, it's a good idea to EMBRACE THIS PROCESS…it can be the most important and effective thing you do all year.

But beware… reaching your goals can actually do more harm than good over the long run. It can if you're pursuing goals that are "off" of your Purpose or Mission.

"On Purpose" goals are the only kind that will truly offer you happiness, success, and fulfillment. Time spent on the wrong mission and goals is time lost forever. Someone once said "Time is funny stuff…you save it by spending it wisely". Spend yours wisely by making sure your resolutions are "on purpose" this year.

Start by taking a look at the goals you set last year, your results, and how you feel about the time spent pursuing them. Hopefully you were right on track last year and reached goals that were on your purpose - goals you feel good about.

If you're not sure if you were "on purpose", it's not as difficult as you might think to diagnose a case of wayward goals. Common symptoms can include:
  • Apathy, not caring about others.
  • Letting the "small stuff" get in the way or bog you down.
  • Losing focus. Having a hard time deciding what to do next.
  • Substituting money, power, or fame for real happiness.
  • Allowing your identity to be shaped by outside forces.
So before you start setting your goals and making resolutions for next year, throw a couple of logs on the fire, make up a batch of hot cocoa, and take some time to sit and think and write about why you are here and how you should be spending your time.

Here are some questions to help you think "on purpose" about your goals:
  • What do you really love to do and excel at and why?
  • What was your best moment? Day? Week? Why was it so good? Break down the elements of each to find insights that might help shape your purpose.
  • If your life had a highlight reel, what would be on it?
  • What kind of difference would you like to make that would benefit others?
The answers you generate will shed some light on what your purpose or mission might be. They will also give you an acid test against which to judge your New Year's resolutions and goals.

There are dozens of books written to help you discover your mission. One of my favorites is called The Path - Creating Your Mission Statement for Work and For Life by Laurie Beth Jones. In her book, Jones gives you a simple fill-in-the-blank formula that helps you quickly create your purpose, and gives you a framework for knowing a good mission when you see it.

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