Living Out Your Purpose

Maximizing Potential and Living out Purpose have been buzz words that appear at the top of everyone’s “Wish List.” How do you chop through the weeds and find the trail toward success?

Here’s the fearless answer: It takes focus and determination to reach the top. It’s not about Wishing. You have to dedicate time and resources.

Whether you are growing a business, leading a team or leading your family, it starts with YOU. And only then does the ability to focus and be more effective begin to blossom and take shape from hidden paths within you.

Between smartphones, videoconferencing around the world and various platforms of software tools, the reality is we don’t live in a culture where work/life balance truly exists. We are on 24/7/365, as we coexist with our work and family. If you don’t get intentional about setting goals around how you want to operate and create boundaries, each distraction will overlap the next and consume you. To remain healthy, the concept of setting goals, and establishing strategies for yourself is critical.

Goals and Purpose – Are they the Same?

Goals are more specific, finite accomplishments that serve your ultimate purpose.

For example, one of your broader life purposes might be to have an impact on the world and people around you. A goal that will help you honor that purpose could be as ambitious as organizing a mentorship group for young professional women or a neighborhood campaign to clean up a neighborhood park, or something as simple as teaching your child to recycle. The key to making your goals much easier to achieve is to make them inherently more rewarding, rather than money-driven or based upon someone else’s expectations.

You’ll know you’re on the right track when your goal setting resonates deep within you, satisfying your needs and delivering powerful emotional benefits, including a sense of fulfillment.

Prioritizing Your Personal Wellbeing

Now is the perfect time to invest in your own wellbeing. Speak with someone about the challenges you are facing. Invest in your Physical, Mental and/or spiritual health. Take a much-needed vacation to reset. Or develop a routine fitness program that energizes you. Bringing our best self to work is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves, our colleagues and our community.

Your Organization’s Purpose

Your work and career are an important and significant part of your life – not a separate part of it. Your organization has a purpose for existing, usually found in a Mission Statement. When you started working with your organization, you agreed to align with that purpose. Taking the time to remind yourself to live out each workday to serve that purpose can add reward and accomplishment to your day. A sense of purpose can come from developing into a more well-rounded person, making a difference in the lives of others, bettering society, and contributing to a feeling of community and belonging. Individuals who regularly communicate an organization’s purpose will likely be more motivated and inspired to do their best work toward that purpose.

Action – Not Words.

How do you prevent your goals from getting lost in the forest of endless responsibilities? A Personal Coach can help you gain perspective on some of the blind spots that may be a road block; they can guide you to those actions that truly resonate within your soul and bring you great fulfillment. The key to action is self-discovery, and it often requires a Coach to help you find your trailhead, encourage you with a championing push, and hold you accountable beyond a task list.

Here’s a large view trail map:

Identifying your purpose.
Think through your “why”. – Why do I get up every day?
Design how you live out your purpose through daily life and work

This is when you begin to reach living life with purpose.

Wishing you the best as you take your next steps toward having a Professional Edge.