A Bigger Purpose
August 4th, 2008 Posted in General, Leadership, LifeI watched Oprah as she told the story of a man who walked away from making millions at Microsoft in order to build libraries and distribute books in developing areas around the world. Other people featured on the show told Oprah similar stories of how they left their jobs to find their purpose. I began to think about all the people I meet around the world who don’t plan on leaving their jobs and yet they are burned out, tired and purpose-less.
In fact, in a recent Harris Interactive poll, 42% of those surveyed said they were burned out. Only 15% were actually energized by their jobs.
I believe these numbers are perpetuated by a misconception that in order to live a life of purpose we have to leave our jobs and go solve world hunger, feed the homeless, move to Africa or start a charity. While these are all noble causes and many are called to do these very things, for many of us our bigger purpose can be found in the here and now, in the jobs we have right under our noses. And when we find and live this purpose it will provide the ultimate fuel for a meaningful life.
We can eat all the avocado, drink all the water and do all the exercise we want but unless we live and work with purpose we’ll never be fully energized. Research shows that people who apply their strengths towards a bigger purpose beyond themselves are happier and more energized.
You may not build libraries around the world but you can find the bigger purpose in reading to your children. You may not feed the homeless every day but you can nourish your employees and customers with a smile, kind word and care. And while you may not start your own non-profit organization you can begin a charity initiative at work. After all, “charity” means “love in action.” You can make a difference every day and touch the lives of everyone you meet. While these people may not be starving because of a lack of food, you can provide them with a different kind of nourishment that will feed their souls and feed your own in the process.
I heard of a janitor who worked at NASA and even though he was sweeping floors he felt his bigger purpose was contributing to put a man on the moon. I met a bus driver who knows his purpose is to help kids stay off drugs. I met a hairstylist who saves lives by taking time to talk about life with each client. I met an administrative assistant who has become the Chief Energy Officer of her company. I know a Popeye’s Chicken employee named Edith in the Atlanta Airport who makes millions of air traveler’s smile each day. The list goes on…
Ordinary people with an extra-ordinary purpose, bigger than themselves.
In any job our purpose waits for us to find it and live it. It’s not the job we have but the energy and purpose we bring to it that matters.
I can’t tell you what your purpose should be but I can tell you that everyone of us can find a bigger purpose in the job we have. I can tell you that we can find the excitement in the mundane, the passion in the every day and the extraordinary in the ordinary. I can tell you that every job, no matter how glorious or boring it may seem, will get mundane if we let it. Purpose keeps it fresh and when we are filled with purpose, we never run out of gas.
Don’t wait until you go to Africa to start living with a mission. Don’t wait until the weekend to feed people who are hungry. Bring your mission to work, start feeding yourself with purpose today and nourish others in the process.
Join the conversation on our blog and share how you will live a bigger purpose.
Stay Positive!
-Jon
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12 Responses to “A Bigger Purpose”
By Brian on Aug 4, 2008
Jon,
People also feel they have no purpose and get burned out due to our very own nature. I’m a firm believer in finding purpose, working hard and then stepping back, not to look but to recharge. I believe we push too hard all the time - burn the candle at both ends (not enough sleep, 24 hr connectivity, etc…).
In our constant drive to succeed, we don’t realize the value of recharging - we just continue to push. And we push at the peril of everything in our wake - family, happiness, success and even our own health.
The mind, soul and spirit are wonderful things and they need to let go at times. The recharging can lead to purpose.
Thanks for all you do.
Brian
By John on Aug 4, 2008
Jon,
I firmly believe that we have been sold a bill-of-goods. We’re told that to be successful, we should work long hours, be available at all times and demonstrate our loyalty to the company in those ways. I believe people become burned out when they look at their work as a prison ie, 24/7 umbilical cord called a laptop/cell phone.
Unfortunately, alot of work environments are like that.
How do we change that? I say we have the power within ourselves. Only when we set clear priorities, do we take control. I’ll give you an example. I have one of those cell phones that automatically receives email, tasks calendar reminders, etc. When I leave work on Fridays, it get’s turned off. I don’t look at it until Sunday night or early Monday morning. I purposely do that so I’m not checking it every hour to see what going on. That goes for vacations as well; too often I hear of people I work with who take their laptop and work phone to the beach so they can “keep up to date.” That’s ridiculous! Why take a vacation?
Don’t place blame, Be the solution.
John
By Linda on Aug 4, 2008
Jon,
I believe people feel burnout because they do not appreciate the blessings they already have in their lives. I have several employees on my team who complain everyday and do 1/4 of the work that they should be doing. This group of workers have generally been given everything they ever wanted in life. I have recently hired a few new employees and they have worked very hard in their lives and understand that to get ahead you have to work an honest day of work. I am not referring to overtime…just working while you are at work. People can possibly feel better about their work when they know they actually earned their paycheck.
By Greg-O on Aug 4, 2008
Hi John, I’m a BIG fan of yours. I have two of your Bus Book’s…had to share one. Loved IT!
I actually had the opportunity to see one of your ‘talks’ in Jacsonville, FL last year. Very inspirational for me.
Now that I’m back in my second hometown, Orlando, FL; I’ve had a calling to my purpose. I coined the phrase “Secret Power Divine Diamond Life”. With it, I’ve now created my own meetup group to help those who are down and out on their “last-luck”; in their personal development and professional growth.
With strengthening of one’s mind, body and spirit, building their beliefs ever higher, creating a more selp-prophesized life of Hope, Faith and Love together!!
As you have challenged Corporations, Organizations and even Minicipalites to a ‘just’ cause in their endeavors; I too believe it’s the value of ‘moral order’ that allows us to be of ‘greater’ consequences to our fellow ‘man’!
I pray that each and everyone of us looks into our own heart and realizes that we’re here on earth to do one thing; and that is to Love one another, no matter of race, creed, gender or style. We all are of the same Creator. It is my passion to share that each of us have a ‘Divine Purpose’ to our lives and that we can live in its Prosperity!
My Peace and Love to you,
The Divine Diamond Guru,
Greg-O
By Virginia on Aug 4, 2008
I have found my purpose in being a Patient Advocate in our local hospital. I spend my time talking with patients, their families and friends and helping them to feel better about their stay in our hospital. After the patient has been discharged I make a follow-up call to them at their home just to check in. I have made some wonderful friends and in return I believe that I am making a difference in the lives of each and every person I encounter.
By George Broostin on Aug 4, 2008
I have found my purpose. I have been working as a Social Worker In Minnesota for 20 years. I always enjoyed helping others but was getting tired. For the last 17 years I have worked at Guild Incorporated, a non-profit that helps Mentally Ill adults live quality lives in the community. 3 years ago I started helping out with the fundraising efforts at Guild in addition to my regular position. It didn’t take long for me to realize that fund raising is fun for me. I really enjoyed inviting people to get to know more about the organization that I really believe in. Last April the president of the organization offered me the position to direct our Development Department. I have a great team in our department. I try to encourage my staff to utilize their strengths to make our department productive, and we have a lot of fun working together. Last year we exceeded our goal by 200k, which enabled the organization to start a small team that can reach out to mentally ill adults and their families that we previously would have had to turn away. Check out our website at http://www.guildincorporated.org
By Nigel Brown on Aug 4, 2008
Hi Jon… It is indeed a tragedy that so many continue to work in places that zap their energy so continuously. I call it modern-day “slavery.”
But folks have to take responsibility and a few “measured” risks to find their purpose and calling.
When you are working in slavery you easily become exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally. Your capacity deminishes and life becomes miserable. The antidote to exhaustion is “wholeheartedness” and this is found by working on purpose.
To help you find purpose identify your unique Gifts you bring to the world… your Passions and your Values. When these are aligned you have found or are close to finding your calling or purpose.
It’s a wonderful world out there… don’t put up with second best.
By Sushi on Aug 4, 2008
Jon, I know you live in Ponte Vedra, but if you have ever been across the Mayport ferry there is a gentleman that works on the ferry and he has found his “purpose”. Every time I have seen him he talks to every person with a smile on his face and happiness in his heart. I look forward to him working just so I can give him a high five and see his wonderful attitude toward life and other people. I don’t know his name but I know he has made a difference in my life and many others and he is “just a ferry worker”. I wish there were more people on this earth like him for all of us to enjoy.
By Nina Davis on Aug 4, 2008
Hi Jon,
Along with my full time job, I work part time as a cashier in a grocery store. I think my purpose hit me right between the eyes as I was coming back from lunch. I met one of my customers (92 years old) coming out and when he saw me he just smiled and said, I was looking for you. We had a wonderful conversation and I knew when I walked away, I had made a difference in his life; because he made one in mine. All this gentleman needed was a friendly smile and a kind word. I don’t have money to give, but I do have plenty of smiles and kindness in my heart and when I share those two things, I have fulfilled my purpose; the best thing is, it never ends.
By Christi on Aug 4, 2008
Jon, My attitude each day as a pet stylist is to help keep animals as healthy and handsome as possible, for they are God´s creatures too, and to serve their owners by spreading good cheer, showing interest in their lives, and delivering good professional service. They are God´s servants and I am a servant to the servants.
By LaWanda on Aug 9, 2008
I really agree with you, Jon, in that so many times we pass up opportunities to do “charity” work because it doesn’t fit the mold of what charity work is portrayed as. I have finally come to grips that in my job as a nurse, I have become the mentor, supporter, debator, and friend to many of my co-workers. I celebrate all the triumphs and mourn their losses. I feel I am contributing to people spreading a good feeling and message to each other every day with seemingly simple actions.