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Identifying my purpose not to talk about achieving it has been a difficult one over the years. Thankfully, it was different this year. Now I smile at the old me who wanted to be perfect at all she does, made sure her goals weren’t offending anyone and always thought that some people would applaud her mission. These inhibitors to my purpose held me bound for years with their chief as procrastination. It took few hard steps, seemingly as it were, not to live every year like the other Years. I am finally free from my mind’s limitations with room for improvement and you too can.
So, as the year draws Its curtain, to open for another, it is important to reflect on how we have lived our lives in the ending year. Have we been able to achieve the goals we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year, why were we not able to achieve these goals, if goals were achieved, what has helped us achieve them? These thoughts are worth thinking about, as a popular Igbo proverb says, “he who fails to look out for what made him fall, will fall again”. So, this ending time, calls for a thinking time. A time to peruse the activities we have carried out so far and how they have aligned with our purpose, which according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as something set up as an objective or end to be attained. Simply, “a resolution”. Another question for thought is, do we really have a purpose? Purpose again, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is the reason for which something is done or for which something exists. Simply, the “why”, for the mission or goals we have set. What were our resolutions for the ending year and why did we make them? Answers to these questions are key to living a purpose-driven life in the coming year.
Before the year ends, we should identify our purpose ( resolutions and why). To do that, we should look inward for what interests us, our talents, innate abilities, and motivations. While doing that, we should also make sure that what interests us is in our best interest. Also, we should not let others’ opinions, societal expectations or family standards debar us from our purpose, as far as it is not against moral ethics. Any good thing one enjoys doing is what gives meaning to one’s life, our resolution must interest us to the level that it makes our lives interesting and worth living.
The reason we decide on a purpose is more fulfilling than the purpose itself. Our purpose should be solution driven. Others should be able to either learn or solve life problems through our purpose. Our real purpose is in what our goals have in store for our society than what we stand to gain. The profit is usually satisfying but the impact is fulfilling. Therefore, more importantly, than the resolution is “why”.
Being positive about goals is another way to achieve them. In the coming year, we should not see the demons before they attack. This does not imply that we ignore future risks but amidst unforeseen circumstances, we should take a leap, start something and be optimistic. A verse in the Ecclesiastes book of the Holy Bible says, “He who observers the wind will not sow and he who regards the cloud will not reap”. At a point, it might appear like we are just wasting our time on that mission, let’s remind ourselves of why we started in the first place, it will ignite the fire to carry on. To help more in times like this, we also need friends of like minds, friends who share similar vision, and is prolific in achieving their purpose. This really helped me.
Again, avoid the “I will do it tomorrow attitude”, It’s a killer of purpose. To conquer this, set achievable goals, don’t take on elephant projects or outline too many goals. List a few realistic plans and carry them out one step at a time, always seize the moment and do what has been scheduled for a time. Specific achieved goal with time tends to give room for others. Also, we should disengage from friends who easily distract us from what is meant to be done at the right time. In a nutshell, we should not procrastinate on what is to be done at the moment.
Above all, God’s place in our plans is the best bet to achieving them. We should always Commit our purpose into God’s hands through prayers, and trust Him for direction. A popular verse in the Holy book says that “ the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”. So, When we feel like we are lost, God is there to help us find our way back on track(wisdom).
In all, let’s find a solution-driven purpose ( resolution and why), take on it with a positive mindset, avoid procrastination and always put God first. So, before we shout “Happy New Year” to welcome 2023, let’s find a purpose and intentionally plan to live it. I hope these tips help, see you in the new year.
Igwe Peace
Department of English,
Lagos State University.
