I have to admit, finding purpose has always been an elusive endeavor. At times I would feel deeply about my purpose, and other times, meh. If only I could label it, bottle it, and drink it on demand, wouldn't that be grand? Well, you can. We all can. It's not that hard.
I don't believe we have just one purpose. Sure, as we grow to understand ourselves, we strive to identify one overarching purpose. However, I would like to share three with you that we all can embrace, and if we did with abandon and courage, I'm convinced the world would move in a wholly positive direction.
First, a recap. This post and the last two were inspired by Daniel Pinks NYT bestseller:" Drive." In it, he defines a new motivation beyond the traditional "carrot and stick." There are three legs to this stool. They are Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose.
Each slice of history is itself unique and simultaneously repetitive of some aspect of the human condition. For example, a common historical fact is that demographics is destiny. Our demographics today are unique. Never before in history have so many with so much come to their golden years. The Baby Boomers are all retiring and reflecting, and for a lot of us, it isn't pretty. Millennials and Gen Xer's are growing in political and economic impact. However, we all have something in common. We are searching for our purposes.
The traditional American Dream still exists, but it is not as appealing to the younger folks. They are searching for something beyond themselves.
The traditional American Dream delivered for the boomers, generally speaking, in the purpose found in raising a family. Now that is gone, or at least it's changed.
A new purpose motive is emerging, defined by "Goals, Words, and Values."
Our goals are not just about money anymore. There is a documented rise in volunteerism and activism that is taking root. But that doesn't jibe. When life was actively centered around the family, money was simply the facilitator. To raise a family is to eschew money, in a way. This is one of those things that don't change, in my opinion. A large preponderance of us cares more about higher things than just wealth. There is nothing wrong with wealth, but it generally comes from the simple execution of your passion, vocation, and purpose.
The word we must employ is simple. The word is "why." Often with my clients, I will take them deep into the why. In getting to this root, we will find meaning and purpose that can drive us, young and old alike.
I promised earlier, teased that finding your purpose is easy. Perhaps, manifesting it for your particular set of talents is what is hard. At its core, we all share three common purposes: Grow, Serve, Be True.
We are all given different gifts. Our shared purpose is to take those gifts and strengths and build upon them.
We are all part of the whole. Our shared purpose is to serve one another in every capacity we are able.
We are all spiritual and of the divine. Our shared purpose is to align ourselves daily with our world's natural laws; life, liberty, and pursuing happiness are some of the most obvious.
With this troika of common purpose, I have come to believe we can all rise, continually and consistently. Connecting these shared purposes to your unique set of gifts is where a coach comes in.
For the next month, I am looking to schedule 25 free one-hour coaching sessions. Can you help me reach my goal? It will be the best time spent for both of us for the month. This I guarantee.
Sign up here.
https://www.higher-arc.com/coaching-discovery-call-signup?cid=f23f5117-6c74-4ff5-a209-ce3c5af41355
Be well, dear reader.
