What Is Your Purpose? (New Year's Special) | Episode 4

New Year’s Resolution #1: Start 2025 with Purpose

Last week, we explored the best gift you can give yourself and the world: your presence. But what does being truly present look like? Imagine this: you’re having dinner with your family, yet your mind keeps wandering—thinking about deadlines, scrolling through your phone, or worrying about tomorrow. The laughter at the table fades into the background, and before you know it, the moment has passed.


Now, contrast that with a night where you’re fully engaged—laughing with your loved ones, savoring each bite of your meal, and genuinely listening to the stories shared. One feels fleeting; the other, deeply fulfilling. This New Year, let’s explore how presence can transform your daily life and connect to your greater purpose.


Assessing Your Presence

Ask yourself: If you learned you only had one month to live, how would you spend each day? Would it look vastly different from your current routine?


If the answer is yes, you might not be fully living in the present or maximizing the joy it offers. But if your ideal day closely resembles your current life, you’re already reaping the rewards of presence:

  • Relishing deeper connections with loved ones
  • Feeling calm and centered
  • Finding satisfaction in everyday moments
  • Pursuing work that feels meaningful


Over time, this habit becomes more than just a fleeting problem. It leaves you disconnected, not just from others but also from yourself. Your energy drains because your mind is busy replaying the past or worrying about the future. Instead of finding peace or fulfillment, you feel stressed and restless.


The New Year: A Time for Reflection

The New Year inspires us to set goals and resolutions, but too often, we jump into them without pausing to ask, Why? Why is this goal important to me? How does it connect to my life’s purpose?


Without this clarity, resolutions can feel hollow, leading to frustration and burnout. For instance, many people start fitness goals in January with enthusiasm but lose momentum by February. Why? Because the goal—whether it’s weight loss or personal development—wasn’t tied to a deeper purpose, like staying healthy to enjoy more time with their children or feeling more confident and energetic to pursue dreams.


The Consequences of a Misguided Approach

When goals are disconnected from purpose, life can feel like an endless race with no finish line. You might achieve milestone after milestone, but the satisfaction is short-lived, leaving you searching for the next accomplishment.


For example, someone might spend years chasing career success, only to feel an emptiness when they finally reach their goal. That’s because they’ve placed all their fulfillment in external achievements, overlooking the inner foundation that provides lasting meaning.


The Balance Between Inner and Outer Purpose

To create a truly fulfilling life, it’s essential to balance inner purpose and outer purpose:


1. Inner Purpose
This is how you experience life daily. It’s about being fully present, finding joy in the little things, and nurturing meaningful connections. A quiet mind creates clarity and peace, allowing you to savor life’s simple pleasures—whether it’s enjoying a sunrise or sharing a heartfelt conversation.


2. Outer Purpose
These are your goals, obligations, and contributions to the world. It’s the motivation to achieve, work hard, and grow. Outer purpose provides direction, but it becomes most meaningful when aligned with your inner purpose.


External Purpose Vs. Internal Purpose: A Common Mistake

One common mistake is treating purpose as something external, a destination to reach in the future. This mindset makes fulfillment conditional—something you’ll experience only when you achieve a goal. Instead, purpose should be rooted in your everyday life.

For example, a healthy lifestyle goal isn’t just about losing weight or building muscle. When rooted in inner purpose, it’s about:

  • Savoring the process of moving your body, feeling stronger, and appreciating what it can do.
  • Eating mindfully, enjoying each bite, and avoiding stress-eating.
  • Feeling energized and balanced to show up for what truly matters.


When you focus on being present, even mundane tasks—like washing the dishes or going for a walk—become fulfilling.


A Purpose-Driven Life

Living with purpose doesn’t mean every day will be perfect, but it does mean finding meaning in the journey. When your inner and outer purposes align, life feels more intentional and fulfilling.


For instance, imagine starting each day with clarity and calm. Instead of waking up overwhelmed by a long to-do list, you begin with a quiet moment to connect with yourself and focus on what truly matters. This shift in mindset transforms how you approach decisions, actions, and even challenges.

  • Decisions become easier as they align with your values and purpose, making how you spend your time and energy feel clear.
  • Confidence grows naturally because you are living outside your head, not questioning your own worth and abilities, giving you the courage to step out of your comfort zone.
  • Actions feel purposeful and enjoyable, not forced, as your inner purpose turns even mundane tasks, like doing the laundry, into opportunities for nourishment and fulfillment.
  • Consistency follows effortlessly because your inner purpose pulls you forward, providing the energy and motivation to keep going.


This approach helps people overcome the common mistake of relying solely on external achievements for fulfillment. When you’re guided by your inner purpose, your outer goals—whether related to career, relationships, or personal development—gain deeper meaning and direction.


Imagine the difference: instead of pushing yourself through each day, trying to check off one goal after another, you’re pulled by the joy and inspiration that come from living with intention. Your relationships flourish because you’re fully present. Work feels rewarding because it connects to something bigger than yourself. And every small success feels significant because it’s part of a life aligned with your true self.


When you live this way, life becomes richer. You experience more peace, fulfillment, and energy. Your goals feel not only achievable but also deeply aligned with something greater than you—whether that’s your faith, your values, or the legacy you want to leave behind.


A New Year’s Choice

As you step into 2025, ask yourself: Do you want to keep chasing external goals, hoping they’ll bring fulfillment someday? Or will you choose to connect with your inner purpose, find joy in the present, and let that inspire your outer goals?


When you make presence and purpose a part of your daily life, the New Year becomes more than just a fresh start—it becomes a journey filled with peace, inspiration, and lasting meaning.


Wishing you a Happy New Year! Here’s to a purposeful and fulfilling 2025 ahead. 🎉

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

01:06 - Happy New Year!

01:57 - How Present Are You in Your Life?

05:01 - Connecting Being Present to Your Purpose

05:36 - The Mistake of Not Knowing Your Purpose

06:55 - The Consequences of this Common Mistake

09:56 - Misconceptions About Purpose

12:04 - Your Inner Purpose

15:12 - Your Outer Purpose

17:26 - The Mistake of Seeking Fulfillment Solely from Your Outer Purpose

18:55 - Life by Design

19:54 - Free Webinar: Paano Ba Matupad ang New Year’s Resolution? (Jan 7, 2025)

20:55 - How to Correct These Common Mistakes

27:10 - The Benefits of Aligning Your Inner and Outer Purpose

28:37 - Insights on Purpose-Driven People

30:29 - You Have a Choice

32:05 - Do You Need Personalized Support in Discovering Your Purpose?


Do you have questions, insights, or topics you'd like us to explore? Share them with us via email at hello@clardooncoaching.com. We'd love to hear from you!


Book a FREE 30-minute coaching consultation with me to uncover your true purpose and start living a life of meaning and fulfillment.

BOOK NOW


Register for our FREE Webinar: Paano Ba Matupad ang New Year’s Resolution? (Jan 7, 2025)

Join me for practical strategies and tools to help you refine your goals and create actionable steps to make your New Year’s resolutions a reality throughout the year.
REGISTER HERE


Get your INSTANT access to the LIFE BY DESIGN Workbook. Discover how to set meaningful goals and create an action plan so you can be more productive... without missing out on your important relationships and well-being.
GET INSTANT ACCESS HERE


Disclaimer: The content shared in Realizations With Clarissa is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or therapy. If you are experiencing serious mental health concerns, please consult a licensed doctor, therapist, or mental health professional. Your well-being is important, and seeking appropriate support is a vital step toward healing.

Newsletter

Get exclusive stories, fresh insights and tips from Clarissa, plus podcast highlights, new tools, upcoming workshops, special offers, and more.

© 2025 Clardoon Coaching