Coaching for Mission

Relationship | Identity | Purpose

Discover, Form and Live Out Your God-Given Mission

Your natural talents, spiritual gifts, temperament, passions, interests, learning style, acquired knowledge/skills and yes even your triggers/weaknesses combined with God’s grace are core components in your personal toolkit which exists for three main purposes:

    1. Know, love & serve God
    2. Serve your neighbor and
    3. For your own fulfillment and flourishing.

Start Your Journey

One of the main tools for discerning your mission will be the R-I-M-P self-analysis tool.  When combined with personal prayer, self-reflection, and various online personal inventories and questionnaires, you will see patterns develop that will help you discern your mission!

R-I-M-P OVERVIEW

Tony MacDonnell, Spiritual Coach

Approach
to Coaching

At Coaching for Mission, we teach that each person has been given a variety of natural talents, spiritual gifts, personality traits, a learning style, and even weaknesses meant to help them personally flourish, serve their neighbor, and glorify God! Our integrated coaching methodology reveals, through a reflective, self-examination process, that each person is the chief steward of an abundance of natural talents and gifts. Through coaching, spiritual formation, practical guidance, and personalized support, we will help you to discover, form, and live out your mission in a step-by-step process.

Our goal is to help you discover what God already knows about you: that you have a mission (you are a mission!) which is an integral part of God’s purpose for each person! Your life has eternal meaning and purpose!

How We Support Your Growth

Empowering you to live a mission-fulfilled life!

Personalized Spiritual Coaching

One-on-one sessions designed to help you discern your calling, overcome obstacles, and take actionable steps toward your God-given mission.

Tools: workbook, journal…

Set up a Virtual Meeting

Group Growth Programs

Connect with others on a similar journey. Our group programs foster community, accountability, and collective growth in faith and purpose

Perfect for: College students, young professionals (single and married) looking for a better understanding of how God has created them to impact the world for good, serve their neighbor, flourish individually and honor God.

Learn More

Mission Discovery Workshops

Interactive workshops that guide you through self-discovery, spiritual reflection, and practical planning to clarify your unique path.

Talk to Tony

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:6-8

TESTIMONIALS

Hear from the people who’ve experienced real transformation

Tony has a gift of seamlessly integrating the dimensions of the human person, and he has helped me to think outside of the box and feel encouraged about living life with a greater sense of mission and purpose

Brian R.

Tony helped me to better appreciate that one of my main talents is helping others optimize their own talents in the work place!

John, Entrepreneur

I love working on a team and solving problems. I used to think that was no big deal and everyone thought that way until Tony and I started looking at my natural strengths and talents and then I realized this is how I am fulfilled and help others flourish.

Timothy, Health Professional

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The R-I-M-P Coaching for Mission Workbook:

A Coaching Guide to Discovering, Forming, and Living Your God-Given Relationship, Identity, Mission, and Purpose

“I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.”  (John 10:10)

Table of Contents

  • Introduction: The R-I-M-P Framework
  • Part I: The Foundational Relationship and Ultimate Purpose (R & P)
    • Chapter 1: The Ultimate Purpose (Praise, Reverence & Service)
    • Chapter 2: The Foundation of Relationship and Prayer Style (R)
    • Self-Evaluation I
  • Part II: Identity in Christ: The Flourishing Person (I)
    • Chapter 3: Identity Defined by Relationship with God through the Father, Christ & Holy Spirit
    • Chapter 4: Self-Discovery Tools, Temperaments, and Learning Styles
    • Self-Evaluation II
  • Part III: Defining and Discerning Your Mission (M)
    • Chapter 5: The Intersection of Talents, Gifts, Passions, and Needs (Service)
    • Chapter 6: The Rules of Discernment for Mission
    • Chapter 7: The Mission in Little & Big Things
    • Chapter 7.5: Mission in Your State of Life (Married, Single, Consecrated, Priest)
    • Self-Evaluation III
  • Part IV: Resilience, Growth, and Implementation
    • Chapter 8: Weakness, Failure, and Mapping Your Triggers
    • Chapter 9: The Perpetual Cycle of R-I-M-P (Implementation)
    • Self-Evaluation IV
  • Conclusion
  • Sample Mission Blueprint: A Case Study
  • My Mission Blueprint: A Step-by-Step Synthesis
  • Bibliography

Introduction: The R-I-M-P Framework

This workbook is a coaching guide designed to help you discover, form, and live well your unique God-given Relationship, Identity, Mission, and ultimate Purpose in the world. It integrates the foundational spiritual wisdom of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola with modern psychological insights particularly in the areas of human flourishing and positive psychology.

In order to help you to discern well your mission in life we will need you to assess and reflect upon your identity. We will use a variety of questionnaires and inventories to help you accomplish this, including the important topics of: natural talents, spiritual gifts, learning & praying style, triggers and weaknesses and temperament

All of this will need to be grounded with the absolute foundation: your relationship with God, for it’s from this relationship that your true identity flows, and from your identity that your specific mission is revealed.

To put it simply: your Relationship (R) is the “Alpha”—the starting point and source of grace. Your ultimate Purpose (P) is the “Omega”—the final destination and goal of every action.

How to Use This Workbook

This workbook is a marathon journey, not just a short sprint. The real work happens not in the reading, but in the prayerful reflection, the journaling exercises, and the honest self-evaluations.

  • Pace Yourself: We recommend taking at least one week per Part to allow the concepts to sink in.
  • Prayer is Essential: This is a work of discernment, not just self-help. Begin each session with a short prayer, asking the Holy Spirit for light and truth. The prayer and meditation practices in Part I are not just a first step, but a central practice for the entire journey.
  • Seek Guidance: This workbook is designed for coaching. We strongly encourage you to walk through this process with a trusted guide. This could be a mission coach, a spiritual director, a mentor, or a wise elder in your community. Their outside perspective is invaluable in helping you see your own patterns clearly.

Part I: The Foundational Relationship and Ultimate Purpose (R & P)

Chapter 1: The Ultimate Purpose (Praise and Reverence)

The first step in any mission is to define its ultimate destination. St. Ignatius begins his Spiritual Exercises with the Principle and Foundation, which clearly states our Purpose (P):

“Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by means of doing this, to save his soul.”

Your ultimate purpose is union with God; therefore, we want as many parts of your daily Mission to become inspired by this purpose!

Praise: Acknowledging God’s Majesty

Praise is the primary, vertical movement of the soul toward God. It is the recognition of God’s goodness and power above all else.

  • Coaching Tip: Start your day by offering a short prayer of praise, focusing on one quality of God (e.g., His mercy, His wisdom). This shifts the focus from your burdens to His greatness.

Reverence: The Posture of the Soul

Reverence is the internal disposition of awe, respect, and humility toward God, recognizing Him as the creator and sustainer of all things. It is the quiet willingness to submit your will to His.

“Our hearts are restless until they rest in you, O Lord.” — St. Augustine

The Church’s Teaching

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the desire for God is “written in the human heart” (CCC 27). Our ultimate purpose is nothing less than “to know, love, and serve God in this life and be happy with him forever in the next” (Catholic NAB Version).

 

Chapter 2: The Foundation of Relationship and Prayer Style (R)

The Mission is impossible without the Relationship (R) that fuels it. This relationship is built upon grace and maintained through prayer.

Grace: God’s Initiative

The journey begins not with your effort, but with God’s gift. Grace is the life of God dwelling within you, making your ultimate purpose achievable. The more you recognize your dependence on grace, the stronger your foundation becomes.

The Practice of Prayer

Your mission will dry up without consistent communication with its source.

  • Vocal Prayer: Using traditional prayers (Our Father, Rosary) or speaking from the heart.
  • Meditation: Reflecting on Scripture, a good spiritual book or great church teaching about the life of Christ and/or his Church in order to hear God’s voice.
  • Contemplation: Resting in God’s presence, focusing on His love.

The Ignatian Examen

This five-step prayer is critical for daily relationship health:

  1. Gratitude: Thank God for the blessings of the day.
  2. Petition: Ask for light to review the day accurately.
  3. Review: Examine the day hour by hour. Where was God’s presence? Where did I fail?
  4. Forgiveness: Ask God for pardon for sins and failures.
  5. Resolve: Plan a concrete action to live better tomorrow.

“The shortest and most efficacious way to holiness is prayer.” — St. Alphonsus Liguori

  1. Understanding Your Prayer Language (Prayer Inventory)

Just as people communicate differently, they connect with God differently. Understanding your preferred Prayer Style can revolutionize your relationship by making prayer feel more authentic and fruitful.

Resource Box: Prayer Style Inventories

  • Catholic Prayer Styles (Free): Search for “Catholic Prayer Styles Inventory” or “Ignatian Prayer Language Quiz.” These often categorize prayer as intellectual (studious), affective (heart-centered), imaginative (visual), or active (service-based).
  • Sacred Pathways (Paid – Book/Assessment): Search for “Gary Thomas Sacred Pathways”. This popular book outlines nine distinct “pathways” to connect with God (e.g., Naturalist, Sensate, Traditionalist, Ascetic, Activist).

Part I: Key Insights

Before you evaluate, reflect on the core concepts from this Part:

  • Purpose (P) is the Omega: My ultimate, “Omega” goal is union with God, which I live out through praise, reverence, and service.
  • Relationship (R) is the Alpha: My mission is impossible without the “Alpha” of God’s grace and a living relationship with Him, fueled by prayer.
  • Authentic Prayer is Key: I can strengthen my Relationship by practicing the Examen and discovering/using my authentic Prayer Style (how I naturally connect with God).

Self-Evaluation I: Assessing your Foundation

This check-in helps you reflect on your primary focus—God’s ultimate purpose and your current relationship with Him. Rate yourself on a scale of 1 (Low) to 5 (High).

StatementRating (1-5)Notes/Action Needed
Ultimate Purpose: I clearly understand that my life's ultimate goal is union with God.
Praise: I regularly offer God praise and adoration, even when life is difficult.
Reverence: I maintain an internal posture of awe and respect toward God in daily life.
Relationship: My prayer life is consistent and brings me energy, not just obligation.
Prayer Style: I understand my natural prayer style and am using it to deepen my relationship.
Examen: I practice the Examen (or a similar daily review) to track my day with God.