THE SECRET OF FINDING PURPOSE REVEALED
Posted on January 29, 2020 by Eric Miller, One of Thousands of Leadership Coaches on Noomii.
Everyone seems to be inspired to find purpose. Purpose carries you through the perception of barriers & creates the necessary momentum for achievement
Great Leaders Define the Means to the End and Live By It
Everyone seems to be inspired to find purpose. As a young leader, my purpose was focused on having a paycheck, so I could live inside and eat. The older that I got the less happy I became despite all the stuff that I accumulated. Purpose eluded me because I was tuned into WIIFM (What’s In It For Me.) It took calibrating my compass in order for me to breakthrough the cycles of addictive behaviors that kept me stuck and unfulfilled. The clearer that I became on the vision for my life, the easier it was to translate it into my purpose. I then created an action map that was the means to the end for having a meaningful life.
THE PRICE OF PURPOSE
Purpose is out of reach for many leaders and the organizations that they lead. It becomes elusive because of the complexity of purpose. Why is this true? Because when the sexy vision statement is put to the test, leaders, and stakeholders tend to compromise their visionary purpose. One example however of visionary- purpose-driven leader is Larry Merlo who made the decision to remove tobacco and related products from all 9600 locations in 2014. This bold move cost the company $2 billion dollars in annual revenues. His position was that eliminating the sale of tobacco and related products, they could make a difference in the health of Americans. Taking this position, allowed the organization remained true to its mission and vision.
VISION TRANSLATES INTO PURPOSE
Purpose carries you through the perception of barriers and creates the necessary momentum for achieving a bigger vision. When great leaders like Larry Merlo define the “What” and “Why,” the “how” becomes the means to the end in making a difference in serving others. Leading a purpose-driven life is fulfilling and meaningful. Having a calibrated compass will enable you to say “no” to yourself when the inevitable character enhancing experiences present themselves, so you can remain on course.
3 IDEAS ON HOW TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL LIFE ON PURPOSE
1. Change your thinking
Don’t tune in to WIIFM and fall in love with your internal and external customers. When you have the servant leadership mentality you are moving beyond yourself and creating more meaning life. All stakeholders benefit, and you are also creating happiness for yourself.
2. Pay attention to what makes you twitterpated. What is it deep inside that makes your heart feel warm and stirs up emotions? What is it that if you took massive action would change the course of your life and give you the meaning that you’ve always wanted?
3. Surround yourself with purpose-driven people. As it turns out, your mother was correct when she said that you should choose your friends carefully. There is actual science behind being around purpose-driven leaders. If you are struggling to find your purpose associate with people that boldly express their purpose. Where can you find them? You won’t have to look too hard because they usually stand out in the crowd. Their actions are the dead giveaway. You can also find purpose-driven leaders in mastermind groups and alternative boards.
