Let's Think About Purpose

Let's Think About Purpose

Defining and wrapping (simple and clear) words around our purpose is one of the most important exercises we can go through as individuals. But...what do we mean by "purpose"?

I tend to think of purpose - the intended aim or goal - in three dimensions. I'll use my own professional direction as an illustration.

  1. Short-term purpose(s) - that which we are seeking to accomplish as a stepping stone forward. One of these, for me, is securing enough corporate Clarity workshop business/revenue to fuel my other endeavors.
  2. Long-term Purpose(s) - a 5- or 10- or 20-year aim or aims. For many years, one of these, for me, was becoming a published author. There was a long build-up time to get there, including years of blogging and other forms of professional communication.
  3. Pre-eminent PURPOSE - I see this as a singular - the big, cosmic, transcendent "here is what I am on this earth to accomplish." My pre-eminent purpose is: to help other people discover THEIR purpose, and wrap clear words around it (this = my "other endeavors" under point 1). This level of PURPOSE is rooted in your DNA, your personal wiring, your very soul. Some would call it mission or calling.

Ideally, we're working on all three levels simultaneously - the bent of our lives and careers and short/long-term choices should be toward the arc of fulfilling our BIG purpose. But it does take time and lots of living for some of our purpose(s) to come into focus.

Landing on one's purpose(s) requires deliberation, self-awareness, and hopefully the wise and supportive help of others. Life is too precious to drift through without clear intention. Clarity of purpose is the high calling we should all aspire to.


:) Clarity:

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If you are seeking to train your team in effective communication skills, or if you need help reading the label of the jar you're in (PURPOSE), let's talk.

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