5 Questions to Ask

"Having a purpose is the difference between making a living and making a life." —Tom Thiss

As I enter week five of serious social distancing, I have been thinking lots about my why. Its a subject I have given lots of thought in the past, but major events like the pandemic should make us all pause and reevaluate what we are doing and how we are doing it. 

Some people seem to be born, knowing what brings them joy and meaning. Most of us, though, need help to figure it out for ourselves.

In my coaching, one of the things I work with clients on first is finding their purpose and understanding why they need to find it before we can make meaningful progress.  

Here are five questions that will help you think about what you are doing now. 

1. What makes me feel happy and alive?

Your purpose is often related to what you love to do. It might—or might not—be connected to your career, or you might find it while volunteering or in your favorite hobby. Think about what you most look forward to and consider how you can expand those activities into more of your life.

2. What am I good at?

Don't be so humble! We all have talents and skills—what are yours? You might have the ability to build things, the patience to be a mentor, or the vision of a leader. You'll find more success in using natural strengths than in trying to get rid of your self-perceived weaknesses.

3. If income didn't matter, what would I be doing?

This question often leads directly to the discovery of your purpose. The answer can point you in the direction of your true happiness. Maybe you work in a large corporation but dream of being an entrepreneur. Don't let yourself get stuck; start taking small steps to reach your goal while you are working from home during the pandemic. 

4. How can I add greater value to the world?

When you take time to become self-aware, you can see where to use your knowledge and skills. You might be passionate about helping the elderly, building a new playground for the neighborhood, or changing laws in your city. Each of us has unique interests that can be used to make the world a better place.

5. What will be my legacy?

Your purpose in life can affect how you will be remembered; it's an opportunity to leave your mark on the world. Ask yourself how you can make a positive difference in the lives of others.

When you begin to consider your purpose, you are on your way to the happiness and enthusiasm that will enrich your life and the lives of others. 

This is the perfect time to ask yourself these questions and make a plan if you discover changes you need to make. 

Courageous Chats: Episode 5

U.S. Soccer star Landon Donovan and Olympic skier Jaelin Kauf on the call this week. Courageous Chats: Episode 5 Friday, April 17th, 5 PM EST. 

In episode 5, researcher, strategist, and Q2 Insights founder Kirsty Nunez kicks us off with our tone-setter for the hour. Then Ryan Berman and Rhett Power will interview U.S. Ski & Snowboard 2018 Winter Olympian Jaelin Kauf — currently ranked 1st in the U.S. and 3rd in the world in moguls. This will be followed by a conversation with soccer star and America's leading goal scorer of all-time Landon Donovan. We'll discuss Landon's upbringing, playing days, and new role as coach of the San Diego Loyal. We'll then open the floor for questions and conversation. 

Sign Up Now. Seats Limited:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/courageous-action-chat-episode… 

Interview of The Week

In this interview and panel discussion, we discuss H.R. in Times of Crisis. Morag Barrett is a sought out speaker and CEO of SkyeTeam, an international H.R. consulting and leadership development company. Morag's leadership insights have been featured in Inc.com, Business Insider, American Management Association, among others, and she is a regular contributor to CIO.com and Entrepreneur.com. Morag is the best-selling author of Cultivate: The Power of Winning Relationships as well as The Future-Proof Workplace. 

Rhett Power was recently named the 2018 Best Small Business Coach in the U.S., joined Marshall Goldsmith's 100 Coaches, and was named the #1 Thought Leader on Entrepreneurship by Thinkers360. He is CEO of Power Coaching and Consulting in Washington, DC, and hosts Power Lunch Live, one of the most popular business talk shows on LinkedIn's live platform. Check out his fantastic line up of guests and listen to past episodes at www.powerlunch.live.

If you enjoyed this article, here are a few other ways to connect with Rhett. You can read his regular columns on Inc. Magazine, Forbes, and Thrive Global. For speaking and coaching inquiries, please email [email protected].

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