It seems to be the word on everyone’s lips…but what does it mean and why should you care?
Let me ask you a question. What’s your raison d’être? What are you trying to achieve?
For me, this is the core meaning of ‘purpose’. Some call it vision, some call it mission, but really, it’s a blend of both.
Purpose is a deeply personal and powerful concept. It’s about understanding the ‘why’ behind what you do in either your personal life, career or regarding your wider goals.
Having a sense of purpose gives direction, meaning and motivation, acting as a compass that helps guide your decisions and actions. After all, if you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there?
New year, new me (that old chestnut)
Let’s consider the time of year. Did you start January determined to make this one different? Were you intent on channelling positivity and not getting bogged down in the conflicting minutiae of business and everyday life? Sounds great (in theory) but if you genuinely want to make changes, you need to focus on the why and the how.
If you took my advice in December and gave yourself and your team permission to slow down, switch off and truly step out of work mode, then the holiday sheen has no doubt already dissipated as the proverbial in-tray starts to once again overflow.
But I’ll say it again (whilst trying my best to practice what I preach), we owe it to ourselves, our families and our teams to strive for a greater work/life balance and to encourage those around us to do the same.
While 2024 was a mixed bag for many, it is, without doubt, all still to play for in 2025. Even if you’ve had a slow start to the year and are now looking at the date and starting to panic – don’t! We can all start to channel our inner Monty Python and look on the bright side, if we get really clear on what we’re aiming for and what we need to do to get there.
‘But I already know what I’m doing!’
Let’s get back to basics. When you have a clear sense of purpose, you’re more likely to stay focused and resilient in the face of challenges. It provides clarity, enables you to prioritise what matters most, and can help align your day-to-day activities with your larger values and aspirations. It’s not just about achieving external success but about finding fulfilment and satisfaction in the journey itself.
This is key. We often think in terms of who or what will bring us satisfaction and happiness in life. In business, it can be all about reaching a particular goal but as the corresponding goalposts shift and we focus on the next target, and the next, we can fall foul of not acknowledging and enjoying what we achieve along the way. It’s therefore important that we do celebrate the wins, as each one is a step in the right direction and proof that you’re on the right track. It helps to build momentum and provides the motivation to keep on trucking.
Purpose and positivity go hand in hand
The advantage of clarifying your purpose is that it allows you the chance to home in on what will genuinely drive you closer to where you want to be. In a fast-paced and often stressful world, the ability to consistently run tasks, activities and opportunities through a ‘benefit lens’ by asking, ‘Is this going to help me achieve my purpose? Is it aligned to how I want to live and work?’, helps to filter out the unnecessary load. To put it simply, if the answer is no, then do yourself a favour and leave it be. The lighter the load, the better we feel and the brighter we can shine. There are also numerous studies to show the substantial impact that a positive outlook can have on mind, body and overall standard of life.
While variables such as financial strains or serious illness must be acknowledged, happier people are generally perceived to be healthier, with an optimistic attitude better enabling us to deal with stress and its negative effects on the body (Hanssen, M. M., Legger, E. & Legger, F.). Research from the University of California amongst others suggests that it can even increase your lifespan by seven years.
And it’s not just about the health benefits. Relationships are improved and productivity and creativity in the workplace are enhanced. According to award-winning professor of psychology Carol Dweck, people who are more optimistic are also more likely to have a growth mindset.
As a business leader, the advantages for your team are also huge. If your organisation has a definitive purpose with values and behaviours to support that purpose, and clearly defined individual and company-wide objectives, then the journey becomes an easier one. Employees know what they’re here to do and where they fit in the overall scheme of things, they’re aware that their contribution is an important one, they feel motivated, engaged and, most importantly, valued. The culture of the company is one of positivity and appreciation for what everyone’s brings to the table, which in turn aids retention and helps to attract bright new talent.
In summary
Of course, your purpose can also evolve over time. It’s not always a fixed point but can shift as you grow, learn and experience new things. Sometimes it comes from passions, personal values, relationships or even a desire to contribute to something larger than yourself. People often find purpose in their work, in family, in creativity or in service to others.
What’s most powerful is when your purpose connects to both your strengths and the impact you want to have on the world. That’s when work doesn’t feel like ‘work’ and your actions start to resonate on a deeper level.
So, it’s time to step back and ask, ‘Why? What is all for?’ Acknowledging and accepting the truth of where you’re at versus where you want to be in life or in business can bring real clarity and be a catalyst for genuine, prosperous change. There’s still plenty of time to make to make it happen, so what are you waiting for?
Read more:
Purpose – buzz word or intrinsic to your success?