The start of another week, or depending on where you are in the world, you may already be a little further into yours.  The last module in the coaching taster series is about contribution.  Everything will have your own interpretation added to it, and that is exactly as it is meant to be.  I would like to offer a potential framework for you in defining what contribution might mean.  When I think of contribution I start asking myself questions like "what purpose have I been put on this earth for?".  I would like you to consider what contribution you make in the following areas:-

• Family
• Community
• Career/Workplace
• Charitable
• World

Action Take each of the above and award yourself a mark out of 10 for clarity of understanding.  i.e. if you give yourself a 10 in community, you are very clear about what your purpose is, and, the contribution that you make. 

 The underlying questions here are aligned with a sense of purpose.  Now depending on where you find yourself on your life journey, this may have more or less relevance.  I remember in my 20's and early 30's I had little sense of purpose other than; career and family. I did not start to ask the more searching questions about what my contribution should be in my local community or the world until I started to approach 40.  In my experience working with a broad range of clients, this is an evolutionary stage where more meaningful questions are asked. 

If you don't know the answer to all these questions, it is OK.  Perhaps a good starting point for you may be to determine what you don't like in each of the 5 categories  and then think about how you would like it to be, and, what you could do to make a difference.  As a species, we humans are purposeful.  We actively seek a sense of purpose for everything that we do, else, why bother?

Action Take a blank piece of paper and write a purpose statement as though you are already standing in that place of having achieved it.  For example, in the Family section, you may write something like "I am the carer, provider, husband, father and protector for my wife and children"  For career you may decide that "I am an outstanding innovator and a world class speaker who is recognised for excellence in the UK and Europe for the training and development of coaches".  See what happens when you create your statement in the present as though it has already been achieved.  Experience a shift in energy and look back on how you have put the building blocks together to achieve this. 

Also check your contribution to each of your stated goals on a daily basis.  What one thing have you done each day to move you a step closer to where you want to be?  What one thing will you do tomorrow to move you even closer?

Tomorrow I will wrap up this segment with some thoughts about regular success habits that will ensure you keep your goals and objectives in focus and that you measure each of your actions in terms of their contribution to the overall result.