An Unexpected Journey
Ian J Lowe
My purpose is to break down the barriers between buyers and sellers so we can truly connect and together build a better world.
So grateful to be featured as ‘Purpose Story 5: Epiphany on a Plane’ in the new book from Dr. Britt Andreatta, PhD titled ‘Wired To Become – The Brain Science of Finding Your Purpose, Creating Meaningful Work, and Achieving Your Potential’. Mine is one of twenty-six stories from people around the world whose experiences have led them to find purpose. As you’ll read, everyone has a different starting point. And our journeys have followed different paths. But we’re all searching for something more. Like I’m sure many of you reading this are.
My own story recalls what was a crushingly low moment. Up to that point I hadn’t thought about my work as being anything more than a means to an end. Sure I was successful, if you consider making money to be a worthy measure of success. But it was a shallow existence, and I was deeply unfulfilled. On reflection, my life at that time appeared to have been following what Britt refers to in her book as one of the two types of human well-being - “Hedonic well-being” a somewhat selfish form of happiness that’s more immediate, but fleeting. My chosen profession of sales it seems was just the drug I needed to satisfy my appetite for those transactional, superficial highs.
Another champion of purpose at work that I’ve followed closely over the years since is Aaron Hurst . Britt also references his pioneering work, and I too highly recommend his own book ‘The Purpose Economy’. Aaron’s definition of purpose further explains the sense of emptiness I was feeling at 30,000ft. He explains “Purpose is the reason we work, beyond financial rewards or recognition.” Reflecting on my situation at that time, rewards and recognition were the only reasons I worked. And without them I had nothing. That’s what hit me so hard. All these years I thought I had this thing all figured out. But I didn’t!
“Purpose is the reason we work, beyond financial rewards or recognition.” Aaron Hurst - Purpose Pioneer
One rather strange but very welcome occurrence I don’t mention in the story you’ll see featured in Britt’s book, was that a song titled “Come Let Go” by Australian artist Xavier Rudd had become the soundtrack to my unexpected journey. I’d tried to switch off the mental turmoil by listening to the airlines pre-programmed playlist, which played on a loop. And it worked for a time, but having my 6ft 3ins frame jammed into an economy seat for hours on end is no joke. So even though I would occasionally slip into an uncomfortable and restless slumber. I would quickly be jolted back to wakefulness. But each time I did the soothing sounds of the ocean, tropical birds, and Xavier’s soulful voice were there to greet me. They had a much needed calming effect. Although multiple songs were on rotation, I only recall hearing that one. It seemed to be sending a message that everything would be OK.
I’m not sure what mystical forces were at play here, but I learned later the lyrics of the song are about focusing on simple things, letting your mind go, abandoning material possessions, and appreciating the pure pleasures offered to us by nature. It was a fitting soundtrack for sure. And that’s exactly what I needed to do – let go! I’m glad I did because that’s when my journey began, and continues to this day.
I wrote this short post as a call to action. It's a cautionary tale. My journey to discover purpose started by accident, and much later in my professional life. I would have made very different choices had I seen the light earlier. But I didn’t. I was blind. I urge you not to make the same mistake. Don’t be deceived by thinking your work is just about exchanging your time for a pay check. That’s not the path you want to be taking. Seek out your purpose, on purpose. Make it who you are, and why you work. And if you’re in sales like me, you’ll find it elevates you and your performance to an entirely different level, because purpose at its core is all about touching lives and helping other people get what they want. A principle too many in sales get all upside down and back to front! As I did for way too long.
To close, I want to end with what Britt shares about the second type of human well-being - “Eudaimonic well-being” which results from striving toward meaning, purpose, potential, and self-realisation. She goes on to explain “This type of well-being often pushes us to ask ourselves these questions:
If you’re about to begin your own journey into purpose. Answering these three questions would be a good start. You may not have the answers just yet, but don’t worry. Britt’s book will help you find them. The really important thing to understand is that purpose isn’t something that’s reserved only for the enlightened few, the well-to-do, or those engaged in a worthy cause. Purpose is a choice. You can choose to live and work with purpose. That being said don’t expect an easy ride. To quote Britt one final time
“Striving for purpose or meaning often requires hard work as well as struggle. But the longer term and deeper satisfaction makes it worthwhile.”
Over to you!
Great article Ian…finding out how you can be of some service in the world. That’s where sustainable self-satisfaction stems from (say that fast 3 times) ??