Create a statement of purpose
It has been said that most people overestimate what they can do in a day and underestimate what they can do in a lifetime. I find this runs perfectly true for my experience in practice. So often people come in and tell me all of their big plans about how they are going to change their diet, exercise more, start thinking positively and give up smoking… all this week! Whilst I am always supportive and encouraging I also try and help them make their goals more realistic and encourage them to make some longer term goals. On the other hand when it comes to really big long term goals and dreams, far too many people dismiss them as impossibilities because they can’t see how they could ever get there.
The truth is you don’t need to be able to see how you are going to get there, and you certainly don’t need to get there this week! In fact you may never get there, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great vision. You see, true health is a journey not a destination, and you have the rest of your life to try and get there. You do need to know where you are trying to get to, though. Without that you are likely to be just walking around in circles regardless of how good your intentions are.
Put simply, you need to figure out all the things you really want in life – be they relationships, family, money, health, fitness, cars, jobs, whatever it is – and create a statement of purpose that reflects them. The point of this exercise is to aim high. Work out what you truly desire and include it. You may not be able to see any way that you can achieve it right now, but you don’t need to. The very act of putting it on your mission statement means that you are instructing your mind to look out for these very opportunities. Opportunities that perhaps you may have not noticed, had you not put it in your statement of purpose!
Of course your vision will not be realised without action. So the next step will be to create goals and actions; smaller steps that will help lead you to your bigger vision. But for now, it is time to concentrate on the bigger picture.
There are a few simple rules for a statement of purpose.
- It should state who you are, what you do, what you stand for and why you do it.
- It should reflect who you are when you are fulfilling your purpose not necessarily who you are now. (i.e. if you are currently a smoker and drinker but your purpose is to be clean living, then your statement will say clean living).
- It should be in present tense (‘I am’ not ‘I will be’).
- It should be positive (‘I do’ not ‘I do not’).
- It should be grand. It should get you excited when you read it.
- It should reflect all facets of your life. Health, wealth, happiness, family, business and relationships.
- You should not hold anything back based on fear or because it is ‘unrealistic’.
The Challenge: In the next 21 days create a personal statement of purpose. Repeat this challenge regularly as
you will find over time your purpose will gradually change.