As our nation has paused recently to remember and honor the late President Ronald Reagan - it has given way to much reflection, contemplation and honor for the life of one man as a leader, family man as well as his personal strengths and values which have left a mark on many. There has been much discussion about his life and the legacy he has left. If you were to die today, what would your legacy be? What would you want it to be? Sobering thoughts, but, to have a life filled with meaning and purpose, it begins with asking those poignant questions.

Living a life of purpose reflects who you are deep inside, your beliefs, values and passion for living. It is about following your heart and doing what you love to do with passion and purpose. This may initially feel overwhelming and go too "deep" but that's exactly where you need to go - deep into your heart, beyond the busy, superficial day-to-day chores and demands of life. Beyond the fast paced day of the modern mom who typically deals with her career, various children's activities, computer viruses, proverbial household cleaning, - overall role of superwoman who never had or has had a chance to do some real soul searching for real meaning in her life. Do you feel like you're spinning of the hamster wheel of life and getting nowhere? Do you wonder if your life counts for anything?

Despite the many resources of self-help tools available today via magazines, books, tapes, videos, and seminars, many women still feel unfulfilled and lacking purpose in themselves, family and career. Let's begin to look at some key areas to focus on if you're willing to begin a journey that will bring you to a point in your life where you can truly say, "I know my purpose and I love my life!" Authentic and tailor made specifically for you. You are not an accident, but intentionally made with a purpose!

Life is about choices - good, bad, happy, unhappy, purpose filled or void (along with the other million and one choices we make throughout the day) It is important to intentionally and passionately seek to pursue joy, fulfillment and purpose despite the situations or people who may seem to be trying to take it away from you. Your choices should be reflective of who you are and what you believe in vs. the standards and beliefs of someone else.

The following are wide sweeping key components that require considerable processing in their own right in order to most fully develop your own true purpose and are full length topic discussions within themselves - please be sure to process them in your own time and according to your specific needs.

1. Basic Needs

Food, water, shelter. This may sound simple enough, but it is the basis for survival and necessary in order to be able to move ahead. Although this brings to mind the many selfless missionaries who give up all earthly possessions of material "things" and move to a distant foreign world where even the basics are a precious commodity. However, God honors their heart to serve Him by not only providing for them physically, but emotionally and spiritually filled with passion and purpose for Christ and yields much fruit in their lives and those they touch.

2. Talents, Strengths, Skills and Gifts

Each person holds unique and very individualized gifts. Allow yourself to really explore your current and past skills - even some you may not even be aware of yet. Recognize them, write them down and then think of how you could integrate your most compelling skills into an area of your life now.

3. Clarify Values

Faith, family, relationships, personal growth, work, finances. What do you hold near and dear to your heart that you fully believe in and value as a part of who you are and what you represent?

4. Spiritual calling

That sense or knowledge of your specific calling to an area of ministry where you use your gifts and skills to share with others in a way that they will be touched and transformed.

5. Passion

High energy of enthusiasm that gets your heart pumping, mind going and is considered more fun than work. Your hearts desire - what is it that makes you smile, want to get out of bed in the morning, keep you motivated and energized? Many times I find people find that they have a higher purpose above and beyond themselves - a need to share that passion with others in the world.

6. Mission and Vision

Start with your mission - what are you called, compelled to do and accomplish, what does that mean in a clear concrete one to two paragraph description - write it our, and rehash until it resonates for you. Vision is that visual picture in your head of what your future looks like - this can be in the form of some type of concrete plan i.e. Life plan, business plan and don't forget that your purpose IS part of your vision.

7. Goals

Let's face it, we all need to have goals in order to plan and those plans need to be short term as well as long term including timelines and deadlines in order to get them accomplished and avoid slipping through the cracks.

8. Support and Community

It is especially important for women who are in a secular lifestyle and tend to be isolated to find meaningful relationships that encourage them on a regular basis. Look for place where you can get feedback, support, and suggestions from others who have a common connection and similar desire to fulfill their life purpose. Look for good listeners, people who respect you for you are, where you and what's best for you - not their own agenda that pushes you towards something you don't really want or need.

9. Saying No and Setting Limits

When you are clear about your purpose, then it becomes much easier to say no. No matter how "good" it sounds, how much validity it holds - if it doesn't further your purpose then the answer is No. Don't let those ceaseless requests pull you away from your goal and lose focus on where you find meaning.

10. Action

Thoughts and plans are all well and good, but if they don't get into action, they aren't much good after all. So put those thoughts, plans, and skills into action! Identify the best place to start - typically with one small task that leads to another small task = success=more energy and motivation= more done. The snowball effect of getting the ball in motion will require less energy to move. Enjoy the ride!

11. Stay Motivated

Weekly encouragement, support and accountability have proven to be the best way to keep you energized and moving. Focus on what your purpose in and the meaning behind it will serve as a motivator itself and you can look at the past week to see just what you have accomplished. You may even want to keep a journal of all your successes and profound moments of life when you say "YES!, that is what my purpose is and I love my life!"

Call to Action Challenge:

• If you knew you were going to die in the next two years, how would you spend your remaining time?
• Identify the top 5 things that you need most to fulfill your life purpose?

Well, that's a lot to ask, a lot to think about, a lot to do

Don't feel bad if you still don't know exactly what your purpose is. Most of us don't find it in one foul swoop - life is always in motion. It takes a while, but the answers will come, it did for me and it will for you too. Once you discover it and define it for yourself, each day will be a new adventure with a new pair of glasses on that allow you to see more clearly what to do that will bring you greater joy, fulfillment and purpose.

For some, you may be asking, "How can I begin to answer these questions?" You may want to think about consulting a professional life coach, as this is the essence of what they do. A coach specializes in helping you identify what brings fulfillment and meaning to your life, develop personalized strategies that help make your dreams a reality.

Tressa is passionate about supporting women in reaching their fullest potential and finding more meaning and purpose in life. If you would like assistance in discovering this or any other aspect of your professional or personal life, she welcomes the opportunity to discuss creating a life you love.

Tressa is one of the MomMD coaching affiliate members who represent Women To Women Coaching. They are dynamic teleconference/workshop leaders, and personal and professional life coaches who are dedicated to working with busy Professional Women/Moms who desire to create more success in balancing time and energy in work and home that will significantly impact their lives. Join a unique group of women/moms from all over the world with the courage to go after their dreams. We will be offering upcoming teleconferences through MomMD and welcome you to join us in these interactive teleconferences that will stimulate your creativity and help you be more energized. In addition, we will be posting forum questions and replies that motivate you to explore important issues. Check out upcoming events and teleconferences at our website at www.womentowomencoaching.com.

Tressa Ryan
Copyright 2003/2004