It’s a new decade. Time for a fresh start.
Enough of trying to keep our heads above water by working longer hours or multi-tasking. Forget sacrificing things that we define as “unessential” (like hanging out with friends, or spending time in nature). These tactics work okay in the short run.
But they’re unsustainable over the long haul.
Unfortunately, just because it’s a new decade doesn’t mean life is going to slow down any time soon. We live in a world of increasing compexity, uncertainty, rapidity, and information overload. And it’s only getting worse.
What if I could offer a powerful way to maintain equilibrium in spite of how complex and uncertain life can be?
Being clear about your greater purpose, your reason to be on this earth, is what I’m talking about. And, no, it’s not for deep thinkers or religious people. It’s actually a very practical tool that you can pull out of your back pocket whenever you need a shot of motivation.
Let me share a couple of examples, starting with a personal one:
Years ago, I was working on a project. It involved early mornings, long drives for short focus groups in the middle of a New England winter.
One morning, I was heading to Pittsfield feeling worn out, whiny and wondering if it was worth the effort. In an attempt to shift my mood, I brought to mind my greater purpose statement. Partly, it had to do with “helping people to have a voice.” This was exactly the point of these focus groups!
I thought back over the ways I was able to do that. As I reflected, I felt grateful to be able to make a living in a way that aligned with my greater purpose. Magically, I felt more motivated and enthusiastic about my upcoming meeting.
As another example, one of my coaching clients worked in the federal government, in the Department of Defense. She traveled all over the world dealing with environmental issues arising in war zones. The job was very stressful but the perks were hard to give up. Her work was also reasonably aligned with her passion. But, still, she was dissatisfied.
We talked about what she would rather be doing, and she immediately said, “forest ranger.” We then crafted a greater purpose statement that reflected what was important to her about being a forest ranger. That enabled her to see how she might more fully live her purpose without having to leave her current job.
Okay, you’re thinking, having a greater purpose statement might motivate me when I'm feeling overwhelmed. But it sounds hard to come up with. How do I figure out my reason to be on earth?
I am sure there are lots of ways. The steps below are a place to start:
Get input from people who know you well. It’s often hard for us to see our own gifts and talents. I suggest you come up with five people to ask, one or two from each significant area of your life: Work, family, friends, community or church. Take a big picture perspective. Get input from people who can comment on how you contribute within each of the roles in your life. You’re not limited to your current job or even your whole career.
Here are some questions you could ask:
What do you count on me for?
When I’m around, what’s the impact, on you, on others, on what we’re up to?
What do you see as my superpower?
And when they answer, really listen. Take it in fully. Don’t give in to modesty or think that getting clues to your greater purpose is boastful. You’re getting feedback from people who know you and your gifts and contributions to the world.
Ask yourself some questions. I ran across some interesting questions to reflect on. Here are a few I especially liked:
What makes you forget to eat?
How are you going to save the world? (How are you saving the world already?)
If you have to leave the house all day, every day, where would you go and what would you do?
If you knew you were going to die one year from today, what would you do and how would you want to be remembered?
What would you do if you could not fail?
What do you contribute to the lives of others?
These are examples. Don’t feel like you have to answer them all. And, by all means, find some great questions of your own.
Pull together the common themes into a draft purpose statement, using a format I’ve written about in another post. I first learned it from my colleague Heidi Sparkes Guber and I’ve used it for years:
To (What?) It often starts with “To do” or “To be”
In a way that (How?) The quality of the action
So that (Why?) The result or impact
Live with this draft for awhile. Pay attention how it resonates. Bring it to mind consciously when you’re feeling overwhelmed and reflect on how it changes your approach. Share it with other people, ask how it makes them feel. Suggest they create their own.
I can’t promise you’ll never feel overwhelmed again. However, being able to invoke a greater purpose statement can do wonders for your attitude. Try it. I promise it will make a difference.
Let me know what you came up with and how it’s working for you. Meanwhile, happy new decade!