The Resolution Solution

I've been a personal development junkie since I was a young teenager. With a nagging sense that I could be and do more, I was drawn to self-help books, fantasy novels, and biographies of inventors and influencers. All provided promises, pathways, and programs for nurturing my potential.

And for a long time, I was a dyed-in-the-wool resolution fanatic. New year's resolutions, of course, but any start date would do. My birthday, the first of the month, any-old Monday, each was pregnant with possibility if I just started a new habit to pursue my desire to be and do more and better.

Alas, like many, my success rate with sticking to and achieving resolutions was abysmal. I often failed early, nurturing feelings of guilt, shame, and self-loathing.

What to do?

Rather than starting afresh at the start of any year, month, or week, I maintain my course based on my vision and mission. My current vision is co-creating a world where everyone can forge identity and find fulfillment through work that aligns who they are with what they do and where they belong. My mission is to leverage coaching and community as a compass to help people like you live your legacy.

I also find that setting aside time for weekly reflection and intention setting is helpful. At the beginning of each week, I do this as a "Monday on Purpose" exercise. I reflect on how well I accomplished what I set out to do the previous Monday and what I want to achieve by the beginning of the following week.

Finally, I create a decision-making measuring stick—three words against which I measure every decision to ensure I'm not getting lost or in my own way. My current words are:

1. Integrity - aligning who I am, what I do, and where I belong
2. Intention - make decisions with purpose, on purpose, for a purpose
3. Impact - enhance my life through endeavors that serve others

I'm not sharing this as a prescription. What works for me may well not work for you. My invitation is to craft a system or strategy for gaining traction and momentum in the difference only you can make.

We need your insight and inspiration to help us make things better.

Where are you now in your endeavor? Where do you want to be next week, month, or year? What routines and relationships will help you see and navigate the inevitable challenges that come with work that's worth your time, attention, and effort?

Scott Perry, Chief Difference-Maker at Creative on Purpose. 

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