You can hardly find an organization which does not have an articulation of their vision and mission. How come we do not have that for all individual leaders too?
What would be a personal vision and mission statement?
The answer to that question is… a purpose statement.
And here is a quick guide for you, describing why you need a life purpose statement, how to get one and how to use it!
What happens when I am “on purpose”?
When a person is living on purpose, they are fulfilled.
They are clear about their goals and why these goals are important for them. They are using their unique talents and making a difference. They are expressing their best self, reaching their full potential, and doing what they are meant to accomplish. They are making the right choices about their life and work. They are connected, motivated, and engaged. They are in the flow. They shine.
Our life purpose is the reason we are on this planet.
The moment we appreciate that we are the same person in all facets of our life, we can put our life purpose in service of what we can achieve as a leader. And that makes our leadership shine.
Well, if it is so good, how do I get one?
We all have a life purpose; it is naturally there. It might, however, take some effort to create deeper awareness and articulation. And by the way, you cannot get one from the menu. We are all unique, and so is our path. So, you have to articulate yours all by yourself.
There is help though. The best help is given by some powerful questions. Here are a few self-reflection questions which can get you started.
- When I am ninety-five years old, what will I want to say about my life?
- Who are my role models, and what do I admire about them?
- What activities or experiences make me feel most alive and fulfilled?
- What are my strengths and talents?
- What are my core values?
- What issues or causes am I passionate about?
- What personal or professional goals do I have, and why are they important to me?
This iterative and reflective creation process can be facilitated through a structured approach, like working with a coach, consulting a mentor, or going through a leadership program. In a way, it is a life-long exploration as we continuously evolve.
Now that I have one, how do I live it?
Your life purpose encapsulates the ultimate potential of your unique contributions to everything you do and everywhere you are present. So, you should look for ways to incorporate it consciously to the choices you make as a leader for yourself, your team, your organization, and your community. Define your personal vision of success. Assess how well your current actions support your life purpose. Think about which skills, experiences, wisdom you can offer and which contributions you can make. Identify and confront any fears or limiting beliefs.
Again, some powerful questions are here to guide you:
- How do my current lifestyle and choices align with my desired purpose?
- How do I secure an environment where I thrive?
- How can I integrate my passions into my daily life or career?
- Who can help me with living my purpose?
- What does success look like to me?
- What obstacles are in my way, and how can I overcome them?
- What fears are holding me back from pursuing my purpose?
Exploring your life purpose is a deeply personal and introspective journey. Living your life purpose involves integrating your sense of meaning and direction into your everyday decisions and actions, as well as long-term pursuits. This is about living life intentionally, making choices that increase the value of life to yourself and others.
How fulfilled do you feel right now? How much more can you shine?