Everyone needs a PAL…
by Jude Hunt. Guest Writer for Kerrie Phipps.
Note from Kerrie – You know I’m always talking about being purposeful – and always endeavouring to BE Purposeful – well this conversation with Jude was too good not to share. Jude was so inspired after a quick facebook chat (see pic below) and she kept me updated through the week with some really exciting progress. Here’s her thoughts since last week’s facebook conversation about creating a Purposeful Action List…
Jude Hunt, London
After a facebook chat about Kerrie’s status update “Does your to-do list keep you purposeful? Or just busy?”, the words Purposeful Action List came to life as PAL. And I thought, Yes that is exactly what I need in a PAL. A PAL has helped me to think differently in that this is not just a goal/action, but HOW and what purposeful action/s do I need to take to achieve this goal.
I am writing this guest blog to share my thoughts. One of the first questions you may be asking yourself is why do we need a PAL? In terms of a friend “pal” they are there for you no matter what and can help you focus and be there to check that you are on the right track as you bounce ideas off each other to gain clarity. The same can be said for your Purposeful Action List – it is there for focus and clarity.
It occurred to me that most people write actions list or goals but what happens to those lists? Do you actually take any actions and make your goals come to fruition? In my own personal experience, I noticed I have written and re-written action lists about using some fabrics I have to turn into cushions. Once I had written my Purposeful Action List it helped me think differently. The reality is that I don’t even have a sewing machine and these gorgeous fabrics were gathering dust under my bed. So really the first action is that I need to take is to get a sewing machine. Of course I had known this all along however when I looked at this from my PAL perspective, I asked myself the question, HOW am I going to get a sewing machine? Then the purposeful action that popped into my head was to borrow a friend’s sewing machine. I emailed my friend asked if she would mind me borrowing her machine, and she said it would be a pleasure for her to lend it to me and great for her machine to get some use. Therefore my PAL was a brilliant way to take action and achieve my goal of creating wonderful cushions!
Purposeful Action List conversation on facebook, 6 June 2012
Your PAL can be used for any goal. The definition of purposeful is “having a definite purpose in view“. Do you often write goals or lists just for the sake of it? That is the other reason why I love my PAL – because it helps me define the purpose of my action list. I look at all the lists I write and I think “what was my actual purpose for writing the list?” A shopping list has an obvious purpose, but I know sometimes in the past my To Do lists have been so long and sometimes there has been no purpose to a particular action. Our PAL brings clarity and yes it may take a little longer to write (I also suggest to include time frames for your actions), however when you are on PURPOSE you can achieve your dreams and BEYOND! Enjoy making and fulfilling your PAL. – Jude
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