The Power of Purpose: Defining What Guides Your Decisions

Every day, we make countless decisions—some small, some life-changing. But how often do we pause and ask ourselves:?What is guiding these choices??Are we simply following the expectations of others, or are we intentionally shaping a life that aligns with our deeper purpose?

A clear sense of purpose helps us navigate the noise, prioritize what truly matters, and make decisions with confidence. But defining our purpose isn’t always straightforward. It requires reflection, clarity, and commitment.

Your Purpose is Built on Three Pillars: Mission, Vision, and Core Values

Purpose isn’t just about having an abstract goal—it’s a?foundation for decision-making, built upon three essential elements:

• Your mission (why you do what you do)
• Your vision (where you want to go)
• Your core values (the principles that guide you)

Let’s explore how to define each one.

1. Defining Your Mission: The "Why" That Drives You

Your mission is the deeper reason behind your actions—the?why?that fuels everything you do.

A simple but powerful way to uncover your mission is the?ABC Brain Dump:

• Write down the letters A through Z.
• Reflect on why you do what you do—what drives you, excites you, or gives you meaning.
• List a word, phrase, or thought for each letter.
• Once complete, look for recurring themes and patterns.
• Use these insights to craft a?clear and memorable mission statement.

For example,?my personal mission is based on the Three E’s: Enable others, Execute well, and Excellence in everything you do.

This means:

• I strive to?Enable others, helping them grow, succeed, and unlock their potential.
• I focus on?Executing well, ensuring that whatever I commit to, I follow through with precision and effectiveness.
• I believe in?Excellence in everything I do, always pushing myself to deliver the best possible results.

This mission acts as my internal compass, guiding my decisions and priorities. Every opportunity, challenge, or action is evaluated through this lens:?Does this enable others? Am I executing effectively? Am I upholding a standard of excellence?

2. Creating Your Vision: Where Do You Want to Go?

Your vision statement outlines your future aspirations. It paints a picture of where you want to be and what you hope to achieve.

A helpful tool for defining your vision is a?vision board:

• Gather inspiring images, quotes, or symbols that resonate with you.
• Arrange them in a way that represents your ideal future.
• Ask yourself:How do I want to grow and evolve?How can I take what I’m doing now to the next level?

Based on these reflections, craft a?short, powerful vision statement?that describes your ideal future.

For me, my vision is centered on growth and impact. I aim to?empower people, execute meaningful work, and achieve excellence in every endeavor.

This means constantly refining my skills, mentoring and supporting others, and holding myself to high standards—both professionally and personally.

3. Identifying Your Core Values: What Defines You?

Core values shape your actions and decisions. They are the fundamental principles that influence how you live and lead.

To discover yours:

• Write down words you’d want others to use when describing you.
• Narrow it down to six or fewer.
• If you have more, cluster similar ideas together and choose a word that best represents the theme.

For me, my?core values naturally align with my Three E’s:

1. Empowerment?– I believe in lifting others up and enabling their success.
2. Accountability?– I take ownership of my actions and commitments.
3. Growth?– I embrace continuous learning and improvement.
4. Execution?– I follow through with precision and reliability.
5. Excellence?– I hold myself to high standards in all aspects of life.
6. Integrity?– I stay true to my values, even when no one is watching.

By aligning decisions with these values, I ensure that my actions reflect what I stand for.

Bringing It All Together: Living with Purpose

Defining your?mission, vision, and core values?takes time, but once in place, they serve as a powerful guide for decision-making. They help you stay focused, prioritize what matters, and lead a life that’s aligned with your true purpose.

For me, the?Three E’s—Enable, Execute, Excellence—are more than just words; they are a daily practice. Every decision I make is filtered through this framework. Whether it’s choosing how to spend my time, what projects to pursue, or how to support others, my purpose keeps me on track.

So, what’s guiding?your?decisions? Take time to reflect, define your purpose, and start making choices that align with the life you truly want.?Because when you live with purpose, every decision becomes an opportunity to move forward with intention. It Is What It Is