WHY ARE YOU IN BUSINESS?
Do you know your motive? Your why? The purpose, cause, or belief that inspires you to do what you do?
While there is no one pathway for discovering your life’s purpose, there are many ways you can gain deeper insight into yourself, and a larger perspective on what it is that you have to offer the world. Just answer these four questions.
WHAT MAKES YOU COME ALIVE?
The word inspire comes from the Latin, meaning “to breathe life into.” Accordingly, when you are working toward things that inspire you, it makes you feel more alive. It is about connecting with what you are passionate about. It is about knowing that when you focus your attention on work that puts a fire in your belly, you grow your impact and influence in ways that nothing else can.
WHAT ARE YOUR INNATE STRENGTHS?
What are the things you’ve always been good at? Are you creative, naturally adept at coming up with ‘outside the box’ solutions? Are you able to see patterns and opportunities amidst complexity? Are you brilliant in the details, naturally good at executing projects with precision? Or are you a gifted communicator, networker, or change agent? When people are in their element they are not only more productive, but they add more value. They also enjoy more personal and professional fulfilment.
WHERE DO YOU ADD THE GREATEST VALUE?
Knowing what your greatest strengths are and where you can add the most value—through the application of your skills, knowledge and experience—can help you focus on the opportunities where you are most likely to succeed. You can also ask yourself what problems you really enjoy solving, and what problems you feel passionate about trying to solve. You’ll then be more successful at focusing on your natural strengths and those things you’re innately good at than trying to eliminate your weaknesses.
HOW WILL YOU MEASURE YOUR LIFE?
Deciding how you want to measure your life means making a stand for something and then living your life in alignment with it. Ultimately, living with purpose means focusing on things that matter most. While some people are in a position to trade the security of a regular salary in order to pursue a passion, many simply can’t—at least not in the short term, or without violating core values. But following the money and following your heart don not have to be mutually exclusive. By shifting the focus of the lens in which you view what you are doing now, you can profoundly shift your experience of it. No matter what your job, you can draw meaning from it and find greater purpose through how you do what you do.