Choosing your purpose Success is a choice—your choice. To get what you want, it helps to know what you want. That is the purpose of this two-part Journal Entry. You can begin choosing success by com

Choosing your purpose

Success is a choice—your choice. To get what you want, it helps to know what you want. That is the purpose of this two-part Journal Entry.

You can begin choosing success by completing this Journal Entry right now. If you choose to do it later, then plan a date, time, and place and then block out the time on your calendar.

Date:     Time:     Place:

Part 1

Select a time and place when you know you will not be disturbed for at least 20 minutes. (The library is a good place to do this exercise.) Relax for two or three minutes, clearing your mind. Next, complete the following sentences—and then keep writing.

When you run out of things to write, stick with it just a bit longer. Be willing to experience a little discomfort. Keep writing. What you discover might be well worth the extra effort.

What I want from my education is . . . When I complete my education, I want to be able to . . . I also want . . .

Part 2

After completing Part 1, take a short break. Reward yourself by doing something that you enjoy. Then come back to this Journal Entry.

Now review the list you just created of things that you want from your education. See whether you can summarize them in one sentence. Start this sentence with “My purpose for being in school is . . .”

Allow yourself to write many drafts of this mission statement, and review it periodically as you continue your education. With each draft, see whether you can capture the essence of what you want from higher education and from your life. State it in a vivid way—in a short sentence that you can easily memorize, one that sparks your enthusiasm and makes you want to get up in the morning.

You might find it difficult to express your purpose statement in one sentence. If so, write a paragraph or more. Then look for the sentence that seems most charged with energy for you.

Following are some sample purpose statements:

My purpose for being in school is to gain skills that I can use to contribute to others. My purpose for being in school is to live an abundant life that is filled with happiness, health, love, and wealth. My purpose for being in school is to enjoy myself by making lasting friendships and following the lead of my interests.

Now write at least one draft of your purpose statement.