The "What" of Purpose

"There are two great days in a person's life - the day we are born and the day we discover why." - William Barclay

Happy Monday to all,

Having hit a little bit on the “why” of purpose on Friday, I thought I would stick with this topic for another day, and do a little work on the “what” of purpose.

Merriam-Webster doesn’t do purpose justice! Webster’s definition of purpose – 1a (something set up as an object or end to be attained: intention); 1b (resolution, determination); 2a (a subject under discussion or an action in course of execution) – doesn’t light much fire under a word that is now often associated with our reason for existence.

If purpose is so vitally important in our lives and the organizations of which we are a part, wouldn’t it mean something more than just an “object or an end to be attained, or a resolution or determination”? Wouldn’t purpose be the “thing” beyond, the thing for which we strive, but are never finished pursuing, the thing that brings us all together and takes us all forward? To try to bring more substance to the purpose discussion, I’ve tried to frame a few critical elements of a “purpose” so that we can maybe better understand what purpose is all about.

Be Boundless: Goals, tasks and outcomes can all be measured, but a true purpose must be boundless, but infer positive, forward momentum. Aspirational, limitless. Not unattainable, but unmeasurable because it is infinite. There is always more to be done, more that can be done, even if we’ve accomplished a lot.

Light the Path: A purpose is not the goal, not the end of the journey, or the start of the journey, or even the path. Purpose lights the path. How do we feel in an unfamiliar place when its dark, or the lights are out – and how much different do we feel when the lights are on? More confident, more comfortable, less afraid, minds open, hearts welcoming. Our purpose infuses our mindset, just like light infuses our emotions.

Engage Positive Emotions: Our positive emotions include joy, gratitude, hope, inspiration, awe and love – and many more. Our purpose must engage these positive emotions, draw them out, inspire them, fuel them, and untangle us from the bonds of negativity.

Unify: A purpose must always unify, and never divide. A purpose is not win/lose, or us versus them, a purpose helps us all move forward together.

Advance Humanity: And finally, a purpose must advance humanity. However small, however insignificant one might feel their individual or organizational purpose might be, that purpose must nonetheless help humanity step forward. In this way, the purpose we all discover, and live, binds us to humanity’s shared purpose – to thrive together.

These words, for me, put so much more meaning into “purpose” or “why”, and help me better understand how to live and lead purposefully. It is indeed, to borrow Barclay’s words, a great day when one truly discovers “why”. And while Merriam-Webster’s words are too clinical to light much fire, a deeper understanding of purpose stokes a roaring fire of hope.