Kara Flowers is an experienced fitness and wellness professional with a demnstrated history of serving in the corporate health environment in progressively responsible roles. She is owner of the Wellness Lane, LLC coaching which has served countless clients empowering them to make healthy lifestyle changes one habit at a time.
Many times, I have read or skimmed through self-help books, searching for purpose. Asking questions such as how do I find my purpose, where do I go from here, oh yes, and how do I create alignment in my life? Does this sound familiar? Scouring page after page continuing to search for the one thing that will reveal my why?
Some might agree that living life as your true, authentic self can be challenging in today’s society. Everyone puts their best foot forward on social media and on reality TV; while slightly exciting and mildly entertaining, we know this is not reality. So, how do we move from what we think we should be doing to living a life of purpose? Let’s start by setting some purposeful goals.
What are purposeful goals?
Purposeful goals align with our dreams, our goals, and our values. They are beyond superficial achievements and tap into what truly matters to us. Which can be seen every day in the way we live and work. Making a list of what is most and least important in our lives can help us discover meaning. This sense of meaning and intent is our “why” and is often the action behind our goals. It not only increases our willingness to do the work to obtain it but also creates a deeper significance and connection. For example, rather than setting a goal “to earn more money,” a purposeful goal might be “to build financial security so I can support my family and contribute to the causes I care about.” The why is a part of our core beliefs which guides our behavior and sets the framework for our goals. This not only influences our lives but they characterize us as individuals. This can be the path to making better choices, leading to fulfilling our purpose and setting goals. Empowering us to push past the hard things.
How does purpose help us establish value?
The value put on something increases our willingness to do the work to obtain it. Value is a part of our core beliefs, which guides our behavior and sets the framework for our goals. These beliefs not only influence our lives but they characterize us as individuals.
This can be the path to making better choices leading to fulfilling our purpose and setting goals and empowering us to push past the hard things. Once we have established our values, the purpose will become more clear, and we can begin to visualize the life we want to live. We now have an emotional connection, motivating us to act and use the tools and resources to empower us to move forward. Here is when we can see our purpose becoming a reality.
When do your goals align with your purpose?
Goals tied to our purpose are more meaningful and fulfilling. It is the compass that guides our goals. Setting the necessary steps in place to achieve the goal creates more clarity about the why. We are all unique individuals and have specific talents, strengths, and weaknesses. Taking an assessment to help determine those will help set us up for success. Purposeful goals provide key benefits.
Motivation
When your goals are aligned with your purpose, you are more likely to stay motivated, even in the face of challenges. The deeper connection to your values gives you a stronger reason to preserve.
Clarity
Purposeful goals help us filter out distractions and focus on what truly matters. This clarity allows you to prioritize your time and energy on actions that move us closer to our desired outcome.
Satisfaction
Achieving a purposeful goal brings a sense of fulfillment that goes beyond mere accomplishment. It’s about progress in areas of life that contribute to our overall happiness and well-being.
How to set purposeful goals?
The value put on something increases our willingness to do the work to obtain it. Value is a part of our core beliefs which guides our behavior and sets the framework for our goals. These beliefs not only influence our lives, but they characterize us as individuals.
This can be the path to making better choices leading to fulfilling our purpose and setting goals. Empowering us to push past the hard things. Once we have established our values, the purpose will become more clear, and we can begin to visualize the life we want to live. We now have an emotional connection, motivating us to act and use the tools and resources to empower us to move forward. Here is when we can see our purpose becoming a reality.
Tying it all together?
Creating alignment in our lives helps us get closer to living the life of our dreams. When setting purposeful goals, one must also prioritize other things in life, such as relationships, work, health, and other responsibilities. Now that we understand our goal(s) and how do we create them:
Reflect on our values
Start by identifying our core values. What is most important in our lives? Is it family, community, health, or making a difference in the world? Understanding your values will help us set goals that are meaningful and aligned with our authentic selves.
Ask yourself why
Dig deep into the reasons behind the desire to achieve the goal. If the goal doesn’t resonate with our purpose, it might not be the right goal.
Make it personal
Purposeful goals are inherently personal. They should reflect your unique aspirations and circumstances.
Align with a long-term vision
Think about a broader life vision, the big picture. Each goal contributes to the bigger picture of what you want to achieve in the long run. This connection to your future self will help you stay committed.
Staying on track with purposeful goals
In conclusion, purpose is cumulative, and setting purposeful goals is more than just a way to achieve success. Understanding our why and how they connect to our core values can help us create clear goals that lead to a life that is successful and deeply satisfying. As you set out to achieve your goals, remember to stay connected to the “why” behind them because that is where the power lies.
Read more from Kara Flowers
Kara Flowers, NBC-HWC Health and Fitness Coach
Kara Flowers is a leader in the health and fitness industry. She is no stranger to healthy living she began her fitness career comepting and eventualluy winning 1st place and overall in the Arnold Amatuer Classic Figure Competition. As she has progressed in her profession, she has been dedicated to helping others achive their wellness goals. Through personalized guidance, education, and support she strives to help indidvuals lead healthier, happier lives. Inspiring positive change and fostering lifelong habits to enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
