Are You Purpose-Driven?

I am starting a new series in The Question Guy newsletter. Yes, I will continue to share content to support Nancy Becher and her mission with Invisible Warriors. Nancy is an educator and advocate for those with chronic illnesses and long-term disabilities. Her mission of equity is important; her message needs to be shared.

My new series of articles will focus on Napoleon Hill’s book, Think and Grow Rich. An old book; but a book that never goes out of date. Its principles are practiced the world over. If you are wondering how the influencers got to where they are now, they learned and applied the principles in the book.

And with each new generation, the principles have been rewritten, repackaged, and resold many times over. Why? Because they work. They worked 100 years ago. They work today. It’s just how it’s done.

I will take a close look at each of the principles, giving modern-day insight and examples as to how they are applied to our lives, both personally and professional. As is my usual style, I will apply story (or narrative) to each article as appropriate and necessary to help explain the idea more clearly so that we can carefully consider what is being told. I hope this helps many of you gain clarity and focus as you further develop your position and place as a professional in today’s complex world.

?It's Not Easy

Take it from experience . . . it’s not easy. It’s not easy to succeed if you don’t have a purpose. Mitch Gray calls this your ‘Genesis’, or your beginning. When you set out to do something such as take on a new position, start an entrepreneurial venture, or climb a mountain (either figuratively or literally), you need a purpose. You need a ‘why’.

<I shared Mitch’s ‘Genesis’ idea in Walking the Path – A Leader’s Journey.>

So, you might as well ask yourself the question. Ask yourself ‘why’.

Why am I doing this?

Why do I want to do this?

Why am I putting myself in this position?

Why should I make the effort?

These are good questions. I should know, I’m the Question Guy.

If you don’t have a ‘why’ question, then you really don’t have a driven purpose. You don’t have a reason for doing something. And if you don’t have a reason for doing something, you will probably give up the effort and go home.

In fact, before you even get yourself all busy doing something – and you don’t know your Genesis – just go home right now.

For the rest of us, let’s get serious.

Let’s focus on your ‘why’.

According to Napoleon Hill, to be successful, you have to have a purpose. In fact, you need to have a definitive purpose.

What is a Definitive Purpose?

What is the difference between ‘purpose’ and ‘definitive purpose’?

Great question . . . one that should be explored.

Check out this response from Google . . .

‘A conclusion or agreement reached decisively and with authority.’ Damn! I like that! Excuse my excitement for the moment. But we need to explore the definition further.

A definitive purpose, then, is a reason for doing something that you concluded had real value because you assessed both the goal and the process through the scope and lens of one who has authority on the matter, and you reached the conclusion that making the effort would have positive results and outcomes.

<Dr. Keith McNally paraphrased and added emphasis where emphasis was needed.>

I’m breaking it down for you.

1. You have a reason for doing something.

2. You concluded it had real value.

3. Your position of authority was reason enough to ascertain this conclusion.

4. You determined that the effort would have positive results and outcomes.?

A Definitive Purpose

A definitive purpose has a reason to exist, adds value to people, was created from a place of authority, and will result in real outcomes.

When you know your purpose

It’s easier to go to bed at night.

It’s easier to wake up in the morning.

Your thoughts are clearer.

Your energy is higher.

Your actions are intentional.

Your relationships are beneficial.

People recognize and acknowledge other people who are purpose-driven. It’s the energy that they exude. It’s the clarity of intention. And it’s the fact that the goal is attainable as well as valuable for others.

It’s Question Time!

What have your actions prepared you to do?

What do others come to you for advice about?

What comes as easily to you as breathing but is a struggle for others?

If you can answer these questions with clarity, then you have a purpose.

The Purpose-Driven Person

The following people are purpose-driven (and they have all been on The Question Guy Podcast!). How are they defining their purpose?

Mitch Gray - The first thing Mitch is going to tell you is, “Everything is connected.” The second thing Mitch is going to tell you is, “You can do this.” Mitch is a leadership coach focused on helping the multitude of small business owners succeed in hiring and retaining the right people. This is How to Hire and Keep Great People.?

Jane Bell – Jane’s passion is teachers. Teachers are the heart and soul of our world. We send our children to school so they can learn. But teachers are stressed, anxious, and frustrated with the teaching experience. To combat this, Jane developed a methodology to improve education and teacher retention by teaching educators in secondary schools to stop taking their work home. This is Time Smart Teaching.

Damien Mulligan - Damien found himself and the crossroads of not knowing what to say and really wanting to find the right answer. What were the questions? ‘Why is the climate so bad?’ and ‘Why are we not doing anything to change it?’ As a result, Damien set out to find the answers and tell people that, if we work together, we can make real changes that will have a positive impact on our planet. This is Every Little Thing Matters.

Emily 'Madge' Payne - Do fear and anxiety hold you back? As a child, Emily was burden with anxiety. To heal, Emily wrote in a journal. Writing was a place of safety and comfort. And from her writing, she created 'Inner Buddy'. 'Inner Buddy' is a book that teaches young people how to deal with anxiety, regain control over their thoughts, and have a mindset of gratitude.

These professionals have found their purpose.

Have you?

Thanks for reading!

#mindsetmatters #purposedriven #knowingyourwhy

Dr. Keith McNally - host of the Question Guy Podcast!

Author of Walking the Path – A Leader’s Journey.

Speaker, author, content creator and ghostwriter.?

I help you tell your story, write your story, and use your story for impact!

I will help you increase revenue, build influence, and create impact!

I’m The Question Guy!