The True Power of Purpose
Purpose works when others rest and keep trying when success only flickers in the distance.
A leader with purpose can’t be stopped.
Foolish:
When you find purpose, you’re like a dog chasing a tennis ball. You run over children, knock over furniture, and dive through hedges to get your ball. When you get it, it’s heaven AND you can’t wait to chase that ball again.
Purpose gives you eyes to see. A social worker turns toward a street person. Others look away. Purpose makes the difference.
Purpose makes you do things that look foolish. The purposeless wonder why you care or bother to try. But a man or woman with purpose MUST try.
It’s frustrating to live without purpose, but don’t get the wrong idea. It’s frustrating to live with purpose as well.
Forget others:
Purpose makes you frustrated with others. A woman or man with purpose can’t figure out why others choose to drift. Beware the draining power of expecting others to share your purpose.
Disappointment with others sucks the life out of you. Don’t expect others to fulfill YOUR purpose.
The things you think others should do are the things YOU should do.
Forget the drifters. Don’t allow deadbeats and drifters to drain purpose from you.
Purpose is insulted when you wait for others. But you find purpose when you meet a need.
Every day:
Live your purpose imperfectly everyday. Meet the need at hand. Never mind that others don’t see what you see.
You will never find the big purpose of life if you don’t meet small needs every day.
Purpose emerges as you serve, not before.
Don’t ask, “Why can’t I do more or be better?” Forget that BS.
Ask, “What could I do right now to bring advantage to others?”
What does having purpose do to/for people?
“Purpose emerges as you serve, not before.”
There’s the Gold
It’s counterintuitive, but when we focus outward we find our best “inner.”
Thank you, Dan
Thanks Ken. Yes. The whole notion that we find purpose before we do anything is a terrible waste. Best to you
Great post, Dan. This resonates with me. I have seen people CHANGE when they have a purpose. I saw it in my youngest daughter. She is a tender, wonderful young lady. She went through a “dark period.” She was frustrated, and frustrating. She was depressed. I was worried. And then she found a job that gave her purpose. She blossomed. She flourished. She found her purpose and it changed her . . . I mean, a 180 degree change. It was, and is, wonderful! I use this particular example in leadership classes that I have taught. Because it’s personal, it resonates. Thanks for posting about “purpose.”
Thanks Daryl. Purpose turns life around. Now there’s some gold! Thanks for sharing.
Love this post… so many great insights. I agree and would add, that there is such power when we can slow down and connect with others and their purpose. There’s sometimes extraordinary magic in the synergy and connection.
Purpose in leadership creates leaders out of followers.
“Never mind that other don’t see what you see”.
^That’s the real gold @Ken Mason.
Again, great stuff! Congratulations! Thanks much for sharing your wisdom! Concisely, neatly.
Thank you! Wonderful words accompanied by apt examples. Resonates with a quote I love and (try to) follow always: “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.” – Regina Brett
Thank you Dan! Much needed thoughts on drifters. 🙂
I enjoyed this post a great deal. Especially the comments regarding pursuing our purpose. I am often frustrated when others don’t share my vision. What may seem so clear to me just doesn’t make sense to them.