The Business of Purpose

Posted 06 August 2013 in Career development

Two bricklayers are working alongside one another at a building site. A man walks by and asks one of them what they're doing.

The first bricklayer replies, "I don't know and I don't care. All I do is slap this mortar on these bricks and pile them up in a line."

The other bricklayer smiles, proudly proclaiming, "I'm helping to build the new cathedral."

We've all met people who focus on the "what" they're doing instead of the "why" they're doing it. It's difficult to feel passionate about something when we're missing the meaning behind what we're doing and why we're here.

So why are we here? What's our purpose?

For most of us, it's not an easy question to answer. It takes time and reflection to uncover it. It's often as much to do with a person's mindset and where they are in their life journey as to do with personal, philosophical, cultural, religious and scientific beliefs.

The Purpose of Knowing Your Purpose

Defining purpose in work, life and business is not about the daily tasks, it's about the reason for the tasks in the first place - the why, not the what. Discovering purpose allows a person to create the vision behind the tasks, and knowing that vision can dramatically change results.

For example, a chef's purpose is not to cook food - that's a task. The reason for this task is to help people enjoy life by having a good time with loved ones around a meal they didn't have to prepare (or clean up) themselves.

People who are fulfilled at work know how the work they do supports the company's vision, values and goals whether it's their own company or someone else's.

Knowing your purpose helps:

• Give meaning to everything you do.
• Guide you through tough times and difficult decisons.
• Encourage you to follow your instinct instead of following the crowd.
• Motivate you on your journey even (or especially) when you encounter failure or rejection.

How to Fulfil Your Purpose AND Make a Living

You may have a purpose in the work that you're already doing. If not, try the following approach.

1. Determine your strengths.
2. Life purpose is directly related to personal strengths. E.g., if communication is your strength, then your purpose may be found in that area.
3. Determine your passions.
4. Passions are the things you love to do - with or without external rewards (like money or recognition).
5. Determine your causes.
6. Identify the causes that matter to you. Is there a condition in the world that makes you feel discontent or compels you to action?
7. Find the sweet spot.
8. After determining your strengths, passions and causes, find the overlap between them. That's the sweet spot, where you're likely to find the most fulfilment in your work life.
9. Your mission, should you choose to accept it...
10. Based on the information above, write a personal mission statement - it can help guide your passions throughout your career.