Define your why: a new year of purpose and impact

Happy New Year! It's that *interesting* time of year again when we're fresh off the holiday season, feeling (hopefully) relaxed from some down time and excited about what the future holds—but also very possibly overwhelmed by the pressure?to make resolutions, set goals, make change, and do it all quickly and see immediate results! That societal pressure can very easily prevent us from planning and goal-setting at all.?

Instead of urging you to create a vision board or list out ten things you wish to accomplish or change this year, I want to talk with you about *purpose*.

PURPOSE -?Your place in and contribution to society.

Let that soak in for a second.?

Purpose invites us to think about ourselves in the context of others—in the context of community and greater society. It urges us to think about the impact or mark we wish to leave on the world and think about our legacy. It forces us to think about the good we can (and should) do for others. Most especially, it encourages us to think deeply about how we can achieve our fullest potential in life and live meaningfully. While this action of looking inward can be challenging, living a purpose-driven life and leading a purpose-driven career is immensely valuable and rewarding.?

Instead of stressing yourself out with setting lofty goals this January, I encourage you to sit with your purpose and reflect on the different ways you can make an impact, even if they are small. I encourage you to reflect on the different ways you can express kindness and empathy in life, in work, and in leadership. I encourage you to reflect on the different ways you can build community. Take the time this month, this quarter, this year to define your purpose. It doesn't need to happen overnight. Our purpose can grow and evolve—and that's okay.?

Purpose is our *why*. It's our driving force, our reason for being, and oftentimes, our north star. Our purpose does not have to be ground-breaking or world-changing—it's simply what matters most to us and what aligns with our values.?

It's also extremely valuable for companies to define their purpose. Not just their mission (what they do and how they do it) but their purpose (why they do it). Why was your company founded and why do you exist (beyond making a profit)? What is your commitment to the community or society around you? ?I like to take this one step further and ask: How are you fulfilling that commitment? What does that look like?

This year, Elevate Social Impact is growing its corporate stream with the goal of helping companies to define their purpose. We coach and advise companies who don't yet have a social impact program in place and help them to determine their purpose and values. We put companies on the path towards becoming socially responsible by aligning their mission and brand with social impact values and goals, creating their social impact strategy, and getting their programming off the ground.

If this sounds of interest to you or anyone you know, please be in touch!

Let’s make 2023 the year to live purposefully—to live with intention. To not stress ourselves out with unattainable and stress-inducing goals, but to focus on our why—as people, as employees, as community members, and as leaders.

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