New Year, New Purpose: Your Guide to Starting the Year with Clarity and Intention Pt 1
Are you going to let another year slip away without real progress?
I'm Dr. Howard Dennis, Certified High Performance Coach, and I've seen it happen too many times. People enter the new year with excitement and resolutions, only to find themselves in the same place twelve months later, wondering where the time went.
But it doesn't have to be that way. This year can be different. This year can be YOUR year.
Let me share with you the framework that has helped countless individuals transform their lives and discover their true purpose.
The Problem with "Someday"
Here's the brutal truth: Someday is how you lose years of your life.
We tell ourselves:
- "I'll start after the holidays"
- "When things settle down at work"
- "After Valentine's Day"
- "When the weather clears up"
- "When I have more money"
- "When the kids are older"
This is self-deception at its finest. And it's a weight that holds us back from the life we're meant to live.
Your future self is waiting for you to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be. And that gap? It's often just one or two key decisions away.
Finding Your Purpose Through Contribution
One of the most powerful ways to discover your purpose is through understanding your contribution to the world.
Let me ask you some questions:
What's the greatest contribution you've made to your family?
What's the greatest contribution you've given at work or for your mission?
Take a moment. Really think about it.
The people who feel most fulfilled aren't just successful - they're contributory . They know their efforts are making a real difference in the lives of others.
The Contribution Reality Check
Rate yourself 1-10 on this statement:
"I feel my efforts each day are adding to something meaningful. I'm giving good things to the world. I sense my contributions matter. I find my work and life to be important and purposeful."
Your Score: ___/10
Be honest. Where did you land?
- 8-10: You're living with deep purpose
- 5-7: You're on the right track, keep growing
- 1-4: Time to rediscover your meaningful contribution
If you scored low, that's not a judgment - it's an opportunity to realign with what truly matters.
When Contribution Isn't About Money
I grew up with my mother who had multiple sclerosis (M.S.) and my dad was AWOL. Money was tight all the time.
But here's what I learned: Contribution isn't about your bank account.
Let's say you didn't make any money this week. Then ask yourself: "What CAN I do to give?"
Your contribution toolkit includes:
- Your time - Someone needs your presence
- Your effort - Someone needs your help
- Your skills - Someone needs your expertise
- Your heart - Someone needs your care
- Your ears - Someone needs to be heard
Don't belittle how much it means to someone when you give them your undivided attention, genuine encouragement, willingness to help, or your time and energy.
Sometimes your time is worth more than money to someone who's struggling.
Building Competence: The Foundation of Confidence
Here's something crucial about purpose: If you don't feel competent at something, you feel less confident in trying it.
Yet if you don't develop your knowledge, skills, and abilities in an area, you can't grow or reach high performance.
The Competence Check
Rate yourself 1-10 on this statement:
"I have the knowledge, skills, ability, and wisdom needed to achieve my goals. I'm regularly learning new things that help me progress. I know what I must learn in the coming months to be more successful."
Your Score: ___/10
- 8-10: You're a learning machine! Keep growing!
- 5-7: You're building competence, stay consistent
- 1-4: Time to get serious about skill development
The Monthly Learning Challenge
Here's a question that separates high performers from everyone else:
Do you set learning goals every month?
If YES: What's this month's learning goal? If NO: What have you been trying to learn lately?
Your income, impact, and influence will only grow as fast as YOU grow.
If you're not intentionally learning something new every month, you're:
- Falling behind in your field
- Missing opportunities for growth
- Staying stuck in your comfort zone
- Limiting your future potential
The person who commits to learning something new every month will be unrecognizable in 12 months.
Finding Your Mentors
You don't have to figure everything out alone. The fastest path to competence isn't trial and error - it's learning from someone who's already where you want to be.
Are there mentors, thought leaders, or someone you could reach out to for help?
Check Back In Next Week To Continue The Steps To Fininding Your New Purpose
Take Action Today!
Are you going to let another day go by staying in the same place you've been for too long?
Another day can become another year all too easily.
It's so easy to hang onto our excuses of why we're not going to make that change.
But here's your opportunity: This can be your year of purpose, clarity, and breakthrough results.
Your Next Step
I've created a 5 Step Clarity Blueprint that will help you:
- Get more clarity in life
- Increase your energy and courage
- Build healthier relationships and connections
- Boost your productivity
- Discover your meaningful contribution
This is the same blueprint I use with my coaching clients to help them take their next step.
It's free. There are no excuses.
Don't let another day go by without change. Don't let another year slip away without real progress.
Your future self is waiting. Your legacy is calling. Your purpose is ready to be discovered.
Text "CLARITY" to 423.460.9757 and we will send you the 5 Step Clarity Blueprint instantly!
Dr. Howard Dennis is a Certified High Performance Coach who helps individuals and organizations unlock their potential, gain clarity, and achieve extraordinary results. To learn more about the 5 Step Clarity Blueprint or to schedule a coaching session, visit https://drhowarddennis.com/