Things I Need to Do More Often #3

on August 20, 2009

Do everything with purpose.

The busier my life becomes, the more I realize the importance of doing everything with purpose. Life is too short to just be on autopilot. The truly successful (in work, friendship, and love) do everything with a purpose. Success in life doesn’t just happen; you work for it.

Tips for moving forward with purpose:

Realize that everything is not an emergency. Sometimes, it’s better to sit on a decision (or an e-mail!) before sending it out.
Create a "Plan of Attack" for big decisions. Lay out the steps you must follow to succeed. Identify potential roadblocks ahead of time.
Realize WHAT and WHO really matters to you. Don’t spend all your emotional cash on a job you hate; save some for your significant other or friends.
Seek advice. Talk to your friends, loved ones, or spiritual guide for advice on tough decisions. Weigh the pro’s and con’s of their advice against your own knowledge of the situation.
Organize your life! When your life is less cluttered, it’s easier to move forward with purpose. Get a datebook (or an iPhone) and rank your to-do’s in order of importance.

How do you move forward with purpose?

{ 37 comments }

Zesty Cook August 20, 2009, 5:49 am
Loving the tips and totally agree!!
Emily August 20, 2009, 5:54 am
Hi Caitlin! I think for me, moving forward with purpose is totally about being organized and prepared. I'm working full time and going to school part time and trying to have fun and spend oodles of time with my fellow – it'd be insane if I didn't have a plan! I also make sure to take time to do not just what I need to do, but what I want to do – it makes me a much happier lady. 🙂
Joanna Sutter, My Favorite Things August 20, 2009, 5:56 am
Nicely said! I especially love the thought about not draining your emotional tank at the office. I was guilty of this.

Thank you!
Help Meghan Run August 20, 2009, 5:56 am
Loving all the organizational inspiration this week! It's helping me get in gear for school next week.
Penelope August 20, 2009, 5:57 am
Hi!!!!
I read your blog everyday, I love it!!!! These "things I need to do more often" are soooo inspirational. I want you to know that your blog inspires me to become a healthier person, I'm working on it!!!!
Greetings from Madrid, Spain.
Runeatrepeat August 20, 2009, 6:00 am
I love the tips! I just moved and started a new job – it has left my head spinning! I'm trying hard to keep my sanity and I need to get organized!
FitFoodie August 20, 2009, 6:00 am
That is very true! I sometimes make decisions way too quickly to get them over with. I've never written my thought process down. I need to 🙂
katherine August 20, 2009, 6:09 am
Great suggestions!! Living with a purpose usually involves lots of standing still – waiting until I am acting with a clear mind.
Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn August 20, 2009, 6:29 am
He Caitlin!

Man, I'm so with you on this. I try to let myself live with a purpose and remember the bigger picture everyday; who you love, and what really counts in the end.

Awesome post!
Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn August 20, 2009, 6:33 am
Btw– your post is such a good balance to the one I wrote last night.
Lizzy August 20, 2009, 6:35 am
Love these tips Caitlin. your totally right! 🙂
Marisa (Trim The Fat) August 20, 2009, 6:35 am
True that! Life is so busy and sometimes I feel like we're all running around like our hair is on fire!
SuperDots August 20, 2009, 6:47 am
Great tips!

And I love the first picture you posted-your shadow on the sidewalk-awesome!
Matt (No Meat Athlete) August 20, 2009, 7:00 am
Great, simple post! I love this kind of stuff. It makes me all shivery, haha. Go get it!
leslie August 20, 2009, 7:00 am
this is a great post, and it's such a simple, important concept. i think the third point is really important for me. it's so easy to do what feels comfortable, or what has become normal, even if it is no longer meaningful. constantly evaluating myself, my goals, and the things that matter definitely help me feel like i'm going somewhere that i'm happy with. even if it's slow going!
Emily (A Nutritionist Eats) August 20, 2009, 7:15 am
These are great! It will definitely make me think today!
Rose August 20, 2009, 7:27 am
Completely, completely AGREE.
Oh She Glows August 20, 2009, 7:38 am
so glad you didnt step on that crack!
lol jk

I love this post…Ive been feeling the same way…esp about blogging.
Nina August 20, 2009, 7:41 am
Word up Caitlin. Well said, and I totally agree.
Carolina John August 20, 2009, 7:46 am
sounds like you need to read the 7 habits of highly effective people again. i have it on audio cd and pull it out every couple of years just to sharpen the saw.
Anne Marie August 20, 2009, 7:50 am
I love your tips, especially the one that says that not everything is an emergency. That one is so hard for me-I typically treat everything like it has to be done right now, and I realize that my life is more stressful because of it! It's time for me to slow down!
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) August 20, 2009, 7:54 am
YES, I absolutely agree 100%! I try to do everything with purpose in my life.
Shannon (The Daily Balance) August 20, 2009, 8:11 am
this post! great tips, thanks for sharing and focusing our attention on this!
Katherine August 20, 2009, 8:24 am
I love these posts!
mamasweeds August 20, 2009, 8:31 am
I have to remind myself of this same thing. Instead of spending time rushing to get through something just to get on to the next thing…. that I'm inevitably going to rush through to get onto the next… I try to be present in whatever it is I'm doing, no matter how "trivial" it may be. This helps me do everything with purpose, even if I'm walking out to get the mail or cleaning the kitty litter box!

Be here now, be now here.
Kat August 20, 2009, 8:46 am
Hi Caitlin,
I love this post. Weirdly enough, I just did a whole post on the things I do in my life to combat stress and anxiety. I hope you will take a look… I love your list.

http://katsdailyplate.wordpress.com/
She-Fit August 20, 2009, 8:53 am
These are great tips… especially the first one. I don't know I always feel that things are an emergency when they really aren't
Carrie H August 20, 2009, 9:00 am
Hey, Caitlin — I have some down time and was wondering if there's an easy way to watch any of the summit broadcasts. I can't really figure it out on the HLS website … I can only access bits and pieces of whatever starts playing …
Thanks!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point August 20, 2009, 9:12 am
carrie – I am not sure if you can watch it start to finish, but if you go to http://www.livestream.com/healthylivingsummit you can see it playing. on the bottom of the "screen" is an "on demand button" and if you click that you can see all the parts of the summit in different sections.
HangryPants August 20, 2009, 9:26 am
I feel so much more effective when I am acting with a purpose instead of half-heartedly doing things.
Jolene - EverydayFoodie August 20, 2009, 9:41 am
I love this post, and your pictures are awesome!!
Angharad August 20, 2009, 10:19 am
If I'm not organized with a to-do list to hand then life becomes a jumble! I need to be clutter free and calm to tackle major stuff!
Tay August 20, 2009, 10:33 am
Wonderful – I love this!! It's so true, before you know it, years & years have passed you by and you don't know where they went. Doing everything with a purpose will allow you to savor the moments 🙂
tracik August 20, 2009, 10:35 am
Caitlin, I love this post. Great. To me I try to "live in day tight compartments". Meaning that deal with what is on your plate today and do not drag it with you into the next day. Also, be your own person. Don't live to make others happy. Do what feels right for you. (I use to be too much of a people pleaser!). Truly loved your post.
Ali August 20, 2009, 11:46 am
I totally agree with you! I find that trying to take time to help others keeps me moving forward with purpose. I totally believe in Karma too and that is I help other, when i am in need, someone will be willing to help me out. For the most part, I really believe that has been the case. Giving back has and always will be important to me. What a thoughtful post!

Also, I have been inspired to organize myself this week too and I really feel like it has made a huge difference!
Laura August 20, 2009, 1:09 pm
Great post, Caitlin. I really identify with doing things with purpose… been stressed lately and found your tips to be helpful for re-focusing on what's truly important.

I just did a post and shared your tips! http://lauramke.blogspot.com/2009/08/windy-luncheon.html

Cheers to a purposeful day.
~Laura
Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now August 20, 2009, 5:08 pm
That is such a great tip! I completely agree.

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