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It seems to be the word on everyone’s lips… but what does it mean and why should you worry about it?
Let me ask you a question. What is your reason for existence? What are you trying to achieve?
To me, this is the core meaning of ‘purpose’. Some call it vision, some call it mission, but really it’s a mix of both.
Purpose is a deeply personal and powerful concept. It’s about understanding the ‘why’ behind what you do in your personal life, career or in relation to your broader goals.
Having a sense of purpose provides direction, meaning and motivation and acts as a compass that helps guide your decisions and actions. Because if you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you’ll get there?
New year, new me (that old chestnut)
Let’s look at the time of year. Did you start January with the firm intention to make it different? Was your intention to channel positivity and not get bogged down in the conflicting details of business and everyday life? Sounds great (in theory), but if you really want to make changes, you need to focus on the why and the how.
If you followed my advice back in December and gave yourself and your team permission to slow down, switch off and really step out of work mode, then no doubt the holiday glow has already worn off as the proverbial incoming drawer starts to spill over again. flow.
But I’ll say it again (as I do my best to practice what I preach), we owe it to ourselves, our families and our teams to strive for a better work-life balance and to encouraging those around us to do the same.
While 2024 has been a mixed bag for many, it’s all undoubtedly still a challenge for 2025. Even if you’ve had a slow start to the year and are now looking at the date and panicking – don’t. ! We can all start to channel our inner Monty Python and look on the bright side if we really get clear about 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 goal in mind, you’re more likely to stay focused and resilient when faced with challenges. It provides clarity, allows you to prioritize what matters most, and can help you align your daily activities with your larger values and ambitions. It’s not just about achieving external success, but about finding fulfillment and satisfaction in the journey itself.
This is the key. We often think in terms of who or what will bring us satisfaction and happiness in life. Business can be all about achieving a certain goal, but when the associated goalposts shift and we focus on the next goal, and the next, we can make the mistake of not recognizing and enjoying what we accomplish along the way . It is therefore important that we celebrate the victories, because every victory is a step in the right direction and proof that you are on the right track. It helps build momentum and provides the motivation to continue trucking.
Purpose and positivity go hand in hand
The benefit of clarifying your goal is that it gives you the opportunity to discover what really gets you closer to your goal. In a fast-paced and often stressful world, the ability to consistently view tasks, activities, and opportunities through a “benefit lens” by asking, “Is this going to help me achieve my goal?” Does it match how I want to live and work?’, helps filter out the unnecessary burden. Simply put, if the answer is no, do yourself a favor and leave it be. The lighter the load, the better we feel and the brighter we can shine. There are also countless studies showing the substantial impact a positive outlook can have on the mind, body, and overall standard of living.
Although variables such as financial strain or serious illness should be acknowledged, happier people are generally seen as healthier, with an optimistic attitude that allows us to better cope with stress and its negative effects on the body (Hanssen, MM , Legger, E. & Legger, F.). Research from the University of California, among others, shows that it can even extend 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 increased. According to award-winning psychology professor Carol Dweck, people who are more optimistic are also more likely to have a growth mindset.
As a business leader, the benefits for your team are also enormous. If your organization has a definitive purpose with values and behaviors to support that purpose, and clearly defined individual and company-wide objectives, then the journey becomes much easier. Employees know what they are here to do and where they fit into the overall picture. They are aware that their contribution is important, they feel motivated, involved and, above all, valued. The company’s culture is one of positivity and appreciation for what everyone brings to the table, which in turn contributes to retention and helps attract new talent.
In summary
Of course, your goal can also evolve over time. It is not always a fixed point, but can change as you grow, learn and experience new things. Sometimes it comes from passions, personal values, relationships, or even a desire to contribute to something bigger than yourself. People often find purpose in their work, in their family, in their creativity or in service to others.
The most powerful is when your purpose aligns with both your strengths and the impact you want to have on the world. Then work doesn’t feel like ‘work’ and your actions begin to resonate on a deeper level.
So it’s time to take a step back and ask, ‘Why? What’s all this for?’ Recognizing and accepting the truth about where you are and where you want to be in life or business can bring real clarity and be a catalyst for real, prosperous change. There is still plenty of time to make this happen, so what are you waiting for?