When I ask people what their purpose is, they generally respond with some form of “helping others.” Why? Because being part of a tribe is ingrained in our genetics, and we’re wired to bring value to that tribe. To live purposefully our feeling must connect to our actions. Or, the daily grind will drain us while we wait for the environment to change.
Most never take the time to consider their purpose. Since living purposefully is nature’s best motivator and antidote for depression this is lost opportunity. The ROI on the time investment is very worthwhile. When we feel our life exists for a reason, we have more confidence, more energy, and better focus. We’re more likely to take risk and embrace challenges, which leads to additional purpose. It’s a positive self fulfilling prophecy toward real meaning.
Here are some action steps we can take to lead with purpose:
Take Time For Ourselves
In the Elliott Homes culture we call this Restore Day. It is one full day each month that is set aside for us. It is a day to not wake up to an alarm, to not have an agenda or a to do list. It is one day each month to feel no guilt for enjoying alone time and doing whatever the heck we want in the moment. “IN THE MOMENT.” As we go through this day, we think, reflect, and just enjoy the present. Stop and notice things we usually wouldn’t notice. Take time to taste our food or enjoy the smell of a morning coffee with nowhere to be. In the grind of daily life, guilt often keeps us from taking this time. Restore Day is for this, it’s made for us to be present with what we truly want. By disconnecting ourselves our minds can open to consider the only three things that matter on this day:
1. What does my heart want right now?
2. How do my actions every day lead to this?
3. What must I (not others) change to live this?
Lead Life With Gratitude
If we’re creating change in the world, we’re facing adversity every day. Many see adversity as something to be avoided, yet it is the stepping stone toward a better world. People don’t like change, however purpose can not be maintained without it. If we mindfully lead with gratefulness as a daily habit, this adversity turns into growth. It is no longer a hurdle but instead an opportunity. A great quote that was posted on my social media last week by a young guy was, “Things are happening for me, not to me.” This is the perfect mindset to navigate the daily grind with gratitude.
Align To The Collective Purpose
Oftentimes, it’s challenging to see how our role impacts the broader picture of the future. When we are aligned with a team (a tribe) and all working toward a greater vision, we end up with more than one purpose:
1. To contribute to the tribe and help others succeed.(our contribution)
2. To contribute to the collective outcome that helps the world succeed. (our significance)
The result of a collective purpose is much greater than that of an individual purpose. When our purpose aligns to a greater outcome, the result is far greater than the sum of the individuals. This is when significance happens, and the feeling is incredible. There is no greater enjoyment than to sit with our tribe and celebrate our collective effort together.
Today as a Coast we have a solution to a national affordability crisis.
Today as a Team we offer A Place Where Life Gets Better.
Today as an Individual we have a role that others rely on to succeed.
A lot of opportunities to be grateful for.
Have a power week and Happy Restore (Think) Day.