Find Purpose in 2008

Why is it that most New Year's Resolutions don't see the light of February? Probably because they go the way of many goals in our lives: they are not inspiring so they fade away. If you set resolutions or goals because you think you should or because someone else tells you to, it's much more difficult to actually stick with them.

That's probably why we're not so great at keeping our resolutions. According to Goals Guy, the top 10 New Year's Resolutions are:

1) Lose Weight and Get in Better Shape
2) Stick to a Budget
3) Debt Reduction
4) Enjoy More Quality Time With Family and Friends
5) Find Your Soul Mate
6) Quit Smoking
7) Find a Better Job
8) Learn Something New
9) Volunteer and Help Others
10) Get Organized

Goals Guy is Gary Ryan Blair, the inspiration behind New Year's Resolution Week. This annual event was founded on the premise, that a single resolution can positively and profoundly create lasting change in your life and help to make the world a better place.

If you are not personally inspired by your goals or resolutions, there is a much greater chance you won't follow through. But if you find the purpose behind any change you want to make - if you really get clear on WHY you want to achieve something - there's no stopping you.

Another reason we may not achieve our goals or keep our resolutions might be because we don't see how we will be able to do whatever it is we say we want. Getting caught in the HOW causes us to set really low goals that don't inspire us, but that at least give us hope of achievement.

If the WHY is big enough, the HOW will take care of itself. The WHY is the PURPOSE. When we're clear on the WHY, then we can set the vision, which will break the WHY down, maybe into time chunks, for example. Then goals will take a bite out of the vision, and allow us those measurable milestones.

If you decide today - January 1 - that you want to lose weight, for many people that's not all that inspiring. We know we should, and in our experience we might see losing weight as having to give up all the good stuff we like to eat and forcing ourselves to work hard in a gym. But if we can alter that mindset to see the purpose, we might find it's not as difficult as we thought. See if you can find a reason for wanting to lose weight - like hang gliding or climbing a mountain or getting into your high school prom dress. Don't tie the weight loss together with something that feels like a punishment. And don't worry for now HOW you're going to do it. Just get really clear on the WHY - the PURPOSE - and let the how take care of itself. You're much more creative than you realize and when inspired by a bigger purpose, you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

That's my intention for this year - drop the weight in 2008 - and I'm working daily on determining and keeping in mind the purpose behind that. I'm betting that Tony Robbins' mantra will be part of my plan: "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels."

What inspires and excites you? Allow yourself some dreaming time today to determine the answer to that question and keep the purpose in front of you. I'm betting your entire attitude will shift as you concentrate on the purpose and become more mindful and present in the moment. I'm counting on that formula to drop the weight in 2008. I'll let you know how it's going!