CHAPTER 1
FINDING YOUR PURPOSE
There exist copious amounts of written materials on the subject matter of purpose. The dynamic and charismatic Bishop T.D. Jakes often says, "Everything happens when you find your purpose and nothing happens before you do."
Still, for Author and Motivational Speaker Myles Munroe, "The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but life without a purpose." It may seem strange to discuss the topic of purpose in a book about entrepreneurial success. However, you shouldn't read for long before you find it's not so farfetched after all.
What is this thing called purpose anyway? What is this overarching fascination with what seems to be a buzz word for every motivational speaker, life coach and transformational leader?
Simply put, it is that gut feeling, inclination or calling to a life's vocation that fuels passion and drive in an individual. It is that one thing that we were created to do and to live by; it is that burning desire to do the thing that gives us satisfaction. If we do otherwise, invariably we are faced with emotional instability, discomfort and heartache.
That we have been given the gift of life for a reason is an argument held to be true by many. Probably nine out of every ten persons have at one point or another asked the question, "Why am I here?" For some, the answer unfolded mere years after exiting the womb; some when they got to middle age; yet others when they were quite close to the tomb. Sadly there are those who died without ever knowing; without ever exposing the world to their leadership, skills and talent, to that one special thing that only they alone were created to execute.
Each of us has been given talents and skills that are unique to us. Sometimes we are unable to be purposeful because we are caught up with trying to be all things to all people. We are busy trying to develop our weaknesses instead of focusing on our strengths. This is one sure way to miss the mark of why we are here.
What is the practical manifestation of a life without purpose? People who aren't living on purpose are often unexcited about waking up in the mornings. They get anxious about facing the day ahead, probably to get to a job executing functions that deplete their energy. Life for them begins to feel like a rat race, merely existing and not living. There can be no joy in that kind of life. Steve Jobs knew how to deal with this existence. He said, "For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."'
I have asked myself this question on numerous occasions. In December, 2010; I became frustrated and uncomfortable with the status quo of going to a job I no longer felt fulfilled doing. After much praying and deliberation, I acted on the most profound response I could ever ask for. Reading my daily subscription of the devotional, The Daily Hope—from the author of Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, I got yet another response to my many months of questioning my next move. This particular morning's edition was written by Tom Holladay, a pastor at Warren's Saddleback Church in Southern California. The title of the devotional had me in awe. It stated, "Obeying God Requires You Take a Risk." If for one moment I thought the title of the devotional was just a mere coincidence, toward the end of it, "... that risk of faith could mean ... leaving your job" sealed the deal for me. I eventually decided to walk away from the security of full-time employment a few months after in February, 2011.
It took all the strength I had to do this; to walk away from the security of paid vacation, sick leave, health insurance, pension plan, subsidized lunch and the whole shebang. It wasn't easy, but it had to be done!
It is important to remember that emotions and moods are fickle. While we may not always feel as though on top of the world even when we are doing what we are called to do, undoubtedly we live each moment embracing the joys of life with a sense of gratitude for each day that passes and the experiences that accompany them. A life of purpose enables us to awake each day ready to seize every opportunity that presents itself and to create opportunities where none seem to exist. Every day for us becomes a wonderful day to be breathing.
As you go through your days, a good habit to develop is to check your mood temperature to determine how purposeful your life is. Do you experience them in extreme? If you cannot answer with a resounding 'no' then chances are you are not living on purpose.
While a life of purpose will not always guarantee you a life free from lows, when they surface, you will be able to snap out of them quickly. Instead of throwing pity parties, you take moments to be grateful for the small things in life such as the chirping of birds, the flowering of a plant, and the swaying of a tree limb or a simple business idea being brought to life.
When you're living on purpose, you're fulfilled because you're living a life engulfed in personal meaning. You stop questioning your reason for existence and instead embrace every moment of your life and the path you have chosen. Life becomes beautiful.
Only a life lived on purpose is a fulfilled life. A life of purpose prevents you from being an enemy to yourself; you will know better than to underestimate the power of words. You will believe in the power of positive thinking and self-fulfilling prophecy and choose to speak positively about yourself at all times, because whatever you believe about yourself is truth.
How many of us while growing up have heard words like, "you'll never amount to anything?" In Jamaica, family members sometimes tell the children in their families that "you're just like yuh wutliss puppa." Those are words that pierce deeper that any sword could and can either make or break you depending on your mind-set. It takes practice to replace those negative words reverberating in your psyche with positive ones.
To erase one negative word spoken, it takes repeating a positive word many more times. It is important to think and speak positively at all times as you strive to fulfill your destiny. At all costs, avoid speaking negatively about yourself and those around you. Forget the painful negative words you may have heard at the varying stages of your life. You have the power to control your thoughts; take them captive and believe only the positive ones. Sift the negative ones out and cast them aside.
The power of words is undeniably strong; the tongue is a powerful sword. It is imperative to speak positively into your life even when others are saying...
