By Brian Fitzpatrick

We all know the saying ‘on purpose’. When we were kids and something happened to us that we didn’t like we would blame the other person and say, ‘You did that on purpose!’ It was seen as negative and deliberately spiteful.

Well, I am here to say that we all need to do a lot more things on purpose. When we gain clarity about our purpose we have better reasons and motivation to do things. It’s rather like unlocking our higher meaning. At Fitzpatricks, we all know that our purpose or intent is to ‘enrich people’s lives’. Clearly, if we can enable our clients, staff, families and communities to live richer lives then we have an almost spiritual meaning to do what we do.

So rather than compile a list of resolutions for the New Year, this time I am trying another tack. This year I intend to ‘cruise on purpose’. Sure, I will do my best to help my clients. Sure, I will try to be the best family member that I can be. Sure, I will learn new things, use past learnings more wisely, and work on my fitness and health.

But this year I will be checking in with my purpose, my Grand Why? Now I want to explain the word ‘cruise’. Sometimes, I can get a bit over zealous about things. And I can also be very righteous! This year, I intend to stay on a path that is easy and graceful. No need to go gung-ho and force things. I choose to accomplish all sorts of things this year from a source of peacefulness. Rather than working out what to do, I am concentrating on who I want to be whilst I am doing stuff.

During 2015, I am taking five holidays. I will earn a good salary by providing true value for my clients. I will embrace my family, my wife, my kids and my grandkids. I will be a better amateur musician in December that I am now. I will do some charity work, grow some vegetables, and enjoy the environment in which I live. I will do this in a cruisey way. And I will do it on purpose! When I achieve something, it won’t be by accident. I mean to do it.

“Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

It’s a wonderful life!