你的計畫是否有目的

現在聖誕節的壓力、需求和短暫浮誇都已結束，該是聚焦在新一年度的時刻了。這通常是定計畫、目標、可能還要下決心。有些是定在我們過去一年的進度之上，有些則是我們想擺脫過去，重新開始。

對有些人而言，他們希望這一年能趕快過去，因為那是一段可怕的經歷。他們希望明年會好起來。對另一些人而言，向即將過去的這一年道別則帶來感傷，因為個人或工作上發生了難以忘懷的事件。而有些人以正向的眼光看這一年的掙扎與失敗，他們希望在來年中能把已學到的重要功課應用出來。

當我們帶著計畫與目標向前進，應該要學習有成功經驗之公司的重要原則才是明智之舉。這些公司幾乎都明確且仔細地寫下使命宣言－－把他們的目的正式地告訴員工、顧客與供應商。我們也應考慮採用使命或目的宣言，表達出對以下問題的答案：「我為何在這裡？」「我要往哪裡去？」「如何知道我何時會到達？」

我的許多朋友都這麼做過，而且他們發現很有用。這樣不是限制，反而提供自由與方向。如諺語所說：「若你沒有設定標靶（目的），你每次都會擊中。」一個目的宣言（或個人的使命宣言）可以幫助我們定義我們是怎樣的人，我們這一生中要有什麼成就，而且我們要如何達成。這樣的宣言可以提供一個大概的時間表（何時），且甚至可表達我們想做什麼事和做那事的動機，以及要成為怎樣的人（我們的「為什麼」）。

一旦一個人決定要按照一個目的宣言生活，他的目標就能透過這宣言過濾出來。符合目的宣言的目標就可以保留，與宣言衝突的就可以丟棄，或至少放在一邊以後再考慮。

一個目的宣言可以包括價值觀和信念、主要的個人和工作目標，甚至是你要貢獻的獨特恩賜與能力。華理克博士定期為「週一嗎哪」寫文章。他曾寫過一本書「標竿人生」，在書中他建議我們每個人都應問自己：「我到底在這裡做什麼？」以下是他書中的結論，值得我們思考：
目的1：你的受造是為了討上帝的喜悅（敬拜） 目的2：你的受造是為了上帝的家（團契） 目的3：你的受造是為了效法基督（門徒栽培） 目的4：你的受造是為了服事上帝（服事） 目的5：你的受造是為了一個使命（宣教）對我個人而言，在幾年前我就採用使徒保羅寫給腓立比教會書信中的一節經文作為我的人生目的宣言：「我決定要認識耶穌基督－－更深入且親密地認識祂，更強烈且清楚地了解祂的奇妙」（腓立比書3章10節擴充版）。每當我檢視我的目標，我就發現這宣言是一個很好的過濾器。它可以評估我計畫去做的事－－以及我為何那麼做。

思想 / 討論題目
對未來一年，你是否要做一些特別的計畫和目標設定？ 在設定目標或長期計畫時，你一向是根據什麼方法或程序？你覺得那方法好用嗎？ 你是否曾考慮寫下人生目的宣言（或使命宣言）？若現在有人問你人生的目的是什麼，你會如何回答？ 不論在個人生活或工作上，你認為定一個目的宣言有什麼好處？註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
詩篇37篇4-5節；箴言3章5-6節，16章3節，21章2-3節；耶利米書29章11-13節；以弗所書2章10節；提摩太後書3章16-17節

DO YOUR PLANNING WITH PURPOSE

By: Robert J. Tamasy

Now that the stress, demands and brief frivolity of Christmas have ended, the time has come to focus on the new year. This often involves planning, setting goals, perhaps making resolutions. Some of these are intended to build on progress we made over the past year; in other cases we are eager to leave the past and start fresh.

For some people, the current year cannot end quickly enough. It has been a dreadful experience and hopefully the next year will be much better. For others, bidding farewell to the year soon past brings sadness because of memorable, milestone events – personal or professional. And others view the struggles and failures of the year in a positive light, hoping to apply important lessons they have learned in the coming year.

As we proceed with our plans and goals, it might be wise to borrow an important principle from successful companies. Virtually all have clear-cut, carefully worded mission statements – formal reminders to communicate their purpose to staff members, customers and suppliers. We too should consider adopting mission or purpose statements, expressions that provide us answers for questions such as “Why am I here?” “Where am I going?” “How will I know when I have arrived?”

Many of my friends have gone through this exercise and found it useful. Rather than being restrictive, it provides freedom and direction. As the adage reminds us, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” A purpose statement (or personal mission statement) helps to define who we think we are, what we would like to accomplish in our lives, and how we intend to achieve it. Such statements can also provide a general timeline (the “when”) and even express our motivation for what we intend to do and to become (our “why”).

Once an individual formulates and determines to live according to a purpose statement, then his or her goals can be filtered through it. Goals that align with the stated purpose can be retained; those that would conflict with that purpose can be discarded, or at least set aside for later consideration.

A purpose statement can include values and beliefs, overriding personal and professional objectives, even unique gifts and abilities you have to offer. Dr. Rick Warren, who contributes to “Monday Manna” on a regular basis, wrote The Purpose Driven Life in which he suggests we each should ask ourselves, “What on earth am I here for?” Conclusions in his book, centered on the following statements, are worth considering:
Purpose #1: You Were Planned for God’s Pleasure (Worship) Purpose #2: You Were Formed for God’s Family (Fellowship) Purpose #3: You Were Created to Become Like Christ (Discipleship) Purpose #4: You Were Shaped for Serving God (Ministry) Purpose #5: You Were Made for a Mission (Mission) Personally, I adopted a purpose statement years ago based on a verse written by the apostle Paul in his letter to the church in Philippi. In the Amplified Translation of the Bible, he writes, “For my determined purpose is that I may know Him (Jesus Christ) – that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly” (Philippians 3:10). Whenever I review my goals, I find this statement an excellent filter for evaluating what I am planning to do – and why.

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. A veteran of 38 years in professional journalism, he is the author of Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential.

Reflection/Discussion Questions
Do you intend to do some specific planning and/or goal setting for the coming year? In doing any goal setting or long-term planning, what is the process that you typically follow? How well has it worked for you? Have you ever considered putting a personal purpose statement (or mission statement) into written form? If someone were to ask you right now what you consider to be your purpose, what might be your answer? How do you think a personal purpose statement might be beneficial, personally or professionally – or for both?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review some other passages that relate to this topic, consider the following verses: