Welcome to www.OnlineOrganizing.com -- A World Of Organizing Solutions Your Order Your Shopping Cart About Us Contact Us Site Map
Do You Need Help Getting Organized?Shop For Organizing And Business Development ProductsProfessional Organizing ServicesFind A Seminar, Workshop, Or Keynote SpeakerRead Our Two Free Monthly NewslettersFree Organizing Tips And AdviceResources For Professional OrganizersLearn How To Become A Professional OrganizerUseful Organizing Website LinksUseful Organizing Website Links


Search for:

Category:

You Are Here: Home - Newsletters - "Get Organized" - Article

     You Did That On Purpose!


Little Tommy intentionally pushes little Suzie. Suzie runs to the teacher and exclaims "Tommy pushed me on purpose!" It all seems pretty childish, but take a closer look at what's going on. "You did that on purpose!" The meaning behind this one simple childhood utterance can literally CHANGE your life...almost overnight. What does Suzie mean by "on purpose," and how can that change your life?
WHAT IS LIVING ON PURPOSE?

The idea of living "on purpose" has been a major focus of personal development for a while now, especially the last several years. Writers, speakers, coaches and therapists all claim that by living "on purpose," your life experience can be dramatically more POSITIVE, passionate and PROSPEROUS. What the heck are they talking about though? 
A TECHNICAL DEFINITION

If you look up the word "purpose" in a dictionary, you'll find the following definition -- "a result or an effect that is intended or desired; an INTENTION." That's a pretty simple definition, right? You would think it's also pretty easy to implement this idea in your own life. It's certainly easy for little Tommy. For us adults though, it tends to be somewhat of a challenge, doesn't it?
WHY AREN’T WE ALL LIVING ON PURPOSE?

There seem to be a bit of confusion around this idea of living "on purpose." Many people are confounded by the idea that a purpose is something to do. This is where we get caught up in our various ROLES, such as parent, teacher, salesperson, doctor, writer or whatever role you play in your life. As much as we hate to admit it though, many times, playing your particular role doesn't feel all that positive, passionate or prosperous.  
JUST EXISTING IS ENOUGH

What if your purpose is not something to "DO" but, instead, something to "BE?" Remember, you're a human be-ing not a human do-ing. Let's look at that thought for a moment.
WHERE ARE THE ANSWERS? 

Wouldn't you agree most people want to be HAPPY? So, lets say "happy" is your purpose; your intention; your desired result or effect. Each day, you wake up and tell yourself "my purpose today is to be happy." One of two things can happen at this point. 
START WITH YOU

First, you may create, through your own happy thoughts, happiness INSIDE yourself. You've met people like that before haven't you? Perhaps you're someone who does that. Your overall intention is to "be happy" regardless of anything outside yourself. It's a state of mind. When something happens outside you which threatens your happiness, you REFOCUS your thoughts to see that event in a happy, joyful way. You intentionally look for something good and joyful about everything, even when it may not be apparent at first glance.  
THE EXTERNAL WORLD

The second thing that may happen, is that you look OUTSIDE yourself for your purpose. If -- in our example -- your purpose is happiness, you look to derive your happiness from other people, objects or your roles. You think: "if people would just do what I want them to do..." or "if I could just have this or that..." or "if I could just have that car, enough money or that perfect job...then I'll be happy." Of course, sometimes you can find happiness this way, but it’s fleeting. You can't CONTROL things outside yourself -- so you risk your happiness going away. Doesn't it make sense to intentionally create happiness inside yourself first?
IT’S ALL ON THE INSIDE

Have you ever heard these tidbits of wisdom?
  • "If you cannot find peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else." (Marvin Gaye)


  • "The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to reflect their inner beliefs." (James Allen)


  • "We are shaped by our thoughts. We become what we think." (Buddha)


  • "Nurture your minds with great thoughts, to believe in the heroic makes heroes." (Benjamin Disraeli)


  • "Spiritual force is stronger than material force; thoughts rule the world." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
WHERE TO FIND YOUR PURPOSE

As far as living your life "on purpose," those nuggets of wisdom point to the same basic idea, don't they? Your purpose is not found in something outside you, such as a person, an object or what you do. Your purpose is found inside you and you CREATE it with your thoughts. Further, by creating your inner purpose with your thoughts, you in turn create your outer EXPERIENCE. Whatever you want to experience in your outer reality, whether it's happiness, love, prosperity, compassion, freedom or whatever, begin making it your purpose. How do you do that? It's simple really. Each day when you wake up, just decide "today, I make it my purpose to be happy, prosperous, compassionate, loving..." 
AN EXERCISE

Spend 20 minutes each morning “BEING” your purpose. If your purpose is happiness, think happy thoughts, smile non-stop for 20 minutes, sing a happy song, dance, shout, think about happy memories, envision a happy future. Focus only on happy thoughts, be happy and feel the emotion of happiness. Throughout the day, ask yourself "am I being my purpose right now?" Before you react to a situation, ask yourself "what response would be in ALIGNMENT with my chosen purpose?" 
FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE

As you more and more be your purpose, your outer experience will FLOW from that. Your "do-ing" will flow from your "be-ing." Before long, somebody will say or think, just like little Suzie, "you're being happy, prosperous and loving on purpose!"  Don't worry though, you won't get punished for it. In fact, you'll be richly rewarded.  Its your life. Create it the way you want it! 

 

Michael Pollock is a popular online writer and Personal Coach. He works with proactive people who are determined to make their lives all they want them to be. Visit his website at www.successfulifecoach.com. You can also subscribe to his popular online newsletter at .


Would you like to reprint this article in your publication -- or distribute it to a wider audience? Click here for reprinting instructions.

Want to receive these kind of articles via e-mail each month? Sign up for a free newsletter subscription.

Click here to return to "Get Organized" -- December 2002...

Add this page to your Bookmarks!

E-mail this page to a friend!







www.OnlineOrganizing.com is a service mark of Bradford, LLC.
Content on this site is © Bradford, LLC, All rights reserved.

If you notice any problems with this site, please contact our webmaster.
And if you don't see what you need you are welcome to "ask the organizer" any question!

To see what people are saying about www.OnlineOrganizing.com, check out our visitor comments.

Click here to view our privacy policy.

Calendar Of Organizing Holidays And Events Blog Central Sign Up For Our Free Online Newsletters Join The Conversation At Our Organizing Discussion Board Advertise Your Company On Our Website Be An Affiliate Of www.OnlineOrganizing.com