The purpose prism

1. What is the "purpose prism"?

Sometimes, it feels like I am being pulled in so many different directions. I am the MBA director, which takes much of my time, but I am also an active researcher, author, speaker, writer, collaborator, PhD supervisor, colleague, and mentor. And this only covers my work and career aspects. I am also a mother, wife, sister, and friend. All these hats and roles come with many demands from different people and groups, and it is not always easy to juggle it all. Yet, I still manage to get much work done and create a positive impact in the world. I want to share with you how I do it.

The purpose prism is the filter through which I decide what to say yes to. To make the prism work, you need to start by defining your purpose. If you are unsure how to start your purpose journey, go back to some of the previous editions of this newsletter and explore how we define our purpose and how to start living a more purposeful life. In a nutshell, it is about tying what you are good at to what you care about to create a positive impact in the world and make a difference in other people’s lives. Once you know your purpose, it becomes the prism through which everything is filtered.

2. Making the prism work

Once you know what your purpose is, it becomes your filter. When you decide on your career, a job, or tasks, you ask yourself – does it help me work on my purpose? If it does, do it. If it doesn’t, explore changing what you do or harnessing what you do towards this purpose. Even bankers can still use their role to participate in employee volunteering or start a support group in the workplace.

My purpose is defined as creating a ripple-effect impact through my teaching, research, and public speaking. I know that teaching and public speaking are part of my talent, and I harness it to enable others to find their purpose, thus creating a ripple effect. I never know how one of my students or someone in the audience might be inspired by what I say, go on to do good in the world, and help others to do the same. That’s the ripple effect impact I love talking about. As such, I choose my research topics, the focus of my books, the courses I teach, and my public speaking to do just that. I only took on the role of the MBA director because I believed we could turn this MBA into an impactful force for good.

Obviously, we all have to make a living, and we can’t always choose how we do it or what tasks it involves. But if you do feel your job makes you feel empty inside, it might just be that it doesn’t serve any purpose in your life. It is tough to sometimes walk out on a job or get out of our comfort zone, but it is one of people’s biggest regrets that they didn’t do something more meaningful with their time. When you’ve got the choice, choose purpose.

3. Saying yes, saying no

When you establish your purpose impact, you can use it to decide what to say yes to. It could be a positive response to external pushes: people asking you to take on new roles or help them. However, it might be something you are asking yourself if you should do – write a blog or post on social media, establish a new business venture, or change your career. It is easier to embark on a new “what” when the “why” is crystal clear. And if you do say yes, do it wholeheartedly. Be present and give yourself because it helps you live a more purposeful life and find meaning in what you do. We should not say yes just because of money or because we want people to like us. These are not good enough reasons. To paraphrase author Paulo Coelho, when you say yes to others, don’t say “no” to your purpose.

Subsequently, if people ask you to do things that do not meet your purpose unless these are part of your core responsibilities, which you must do, say no. Learn how to say no to things that will not serve your purpose. I get so many requests to do things, and it is easier for me to say no because I know I will be more effective with my impact elsewhere. Say no now, and free time to do what truly matters – to you and the world. As Anne Lamott said, “No is a complete sentence”—no need to justify or give an explanation to anyone but yourself. And for yourself, the purpose prism is it.