annual goal setting Introduction
Goal setting is the process of aligning your thoughts, words, and actions.
There are many ways to approach annual goal setting. The format does not matter as much as the process of reflecting and discerning, and then memorializing those goals that will support you staying on your path. Before you begin your annual goal setting I recommend you reflect on your purpose so that your resulting goals do indeed align with your future thoughts, words, and actions.
There is so much emphasis now on living a life of purpose! We all know someone who has declared that they have known from birth what their calling or life purpose was. Lucky for them! But for most of us, contemplating one’s purpose can seem daunting. It may raise more questions than answers and bring up feelings of inadequacy. You will find many books available on the topic of purpose. I have met the authors and read The Big Picture, by Christine Whelan and The Power of Purpose, by Richard J. Leider and have incorporated some of their ideas and suggestions on how to consider the topic of “purpose.”
Purpose is what you are called to do over your lifetime. It is discovering what you truly care about and aligning your personal and professional life around those beliefs as best as you can. It is uncovering your core values, talents, skills, and passions and giving them away. Your purpose is the “why” behind everything you do.
Rather than feeling like you have to have a clearly defined single life purpose, start by living more purposefully. Work towards developing a purpose mindset which will: encourage focus on meaningful action; have a positive impact on others; drive short and long term goals; energize you to take action; and direct your values, gifts, skills, and passions.
I have included some exercises in the Purpose Exercises tab to provide a framework to contemplate developing a purpose mindset. Try one or all of them before your next annual goal setting. They are not a test. There are no right or wrong answers! These exercises are provided to get you thinking. As your life unfolds it will become easier to complete these exercises. Consider the results from these exercises when you set your annual goals to keep you on track to living more purposefully. Your goals are how you get there, how to make it happen.
I will end by sharing an excerpt from David Brooks, NY Times Columnist at a commencement speech:
“We are not a society that nurtures commitment–making. We live in a culture that puts a lot of emphasis on individual liberty and freedom of choice… Student culture is built around keeping your options open and fear of missing out. Our phones are always enticing us to shift our attention span and if you can’t focus your attention for thirty seconds, how can you make a commitment for life.”
He described commitments as, “falling in love with something, and then building a structure of behavior around it that will carry you through when your love falters. When you make a commitment to something you truly love, whether it is a spouse, a job, a company, or a school, it won’t feel like you are putting on an uncomfortable lobster shell. It will feel like you are taking off the shell and becoming the shape you were meant to be.”
So, I recommend you turn off your computers, phones, and TVs, and disconnect from social media to allow for the time and space for you to become curious again. Immerse yourself in those things you enjoy doing without interruption. Volunteer or get involved in some new pursuits that you think are interesting but have not allocated any time to explore. I bet you will soon be living your life more purposefully!