Purpose-not money, not status-is what most of us want from our work. As I think about my reason for being, I am often led to Jim Collins' powerful questions - What is a meaningful life without meaningful work? Don't be fooled, most of us want recognition, big titles and compensation. Still, we struggle to answer the question "why do I do what I do?"
Make no mistake about it, this is perhaps the most challenging question that each of us will ever face. One of the most helpful tools that I've found to get me closer to that elusive 'Why' is Nikos Mourkogiannis' book-Purpose: The starting point for great companies- In it, Nikos presents four moral ideas that appeal to our deepest instincts and that can also inspire a business for long-term success in today's world. These have been articulated by philosophers working in different traditions over centuries: They have stood the test of time. They are Discovery, Excellence, Altruism and Heroism. We'll explore one each day for the next four days.
"Discovery put men on the moon, America on the map and the dot coms in business." It involves innovation, creativity and a love of the new. Entrepreneurs are inspired by intellectual curiosity; they believe they are reinventing their industries, economics and indeed themselves. They see no constraints. They create themselves in every choice they make. This type of purpose and morality is rooted in the intuition that life is a kind of adventure. When we live authentically, we are constantly seeking out and creating the new. As I think about the Purpose behind iEvolution, It's clear that innovation, curiosity, and a love for the new define our calling each day. We approach each situation with the mindset of thinking and acting afresh. Does that make Discover our 'Why?' - OR Yours? Stay tuned…
Make no mistake about it, this is perhaps the most challenging question that each of us will ever face. One of the most helpful tools that I've found to get me closer to that elusive 'Why' is Nikos Mourkogiannis' book-Purpose: The starting point for great companies- In it, Nikos presents four moral ideas that appeal to our deepest instincts and that can also inspire a business for long-term success in today's world. These have been articulated by philosophers working in different traditions over centuries: They have stood the test of time. They are Discovery, Excellence, Altruism and Heroism. We'll explore one each day for the next four days.
"Discovery put men on the moon, America on the map and the dot coms in business." It involves innovation, creativity and a love of the new. Entrepreneurs are inspired by intellectual curiosity; they believe they are reinventing their industries, economics and indeed themselves. They see no constraints. They create themselves in every choice they make. This type of purpose and morality is rooted in the intuition that life is a kind of adventure. When we live authentically, we are constantly seeking out and creating the new. As I think about the Purpose behind iEvolution, It's clear that innovation, curiosity, and a love for the new define our calling each day. We approach each situation with the mindset of thinking and acting afresh. Does that make Discover our 'Why?' - OR Yours? Stay tuned…
1 comment:
To me, another look pupose comes down to this - Any individual MUST have a GAME. In fact in essence, life is a game.
A game has a GOAL.
A game has a FIELD in which it is played.
A game has OBSTACLES to overcome.
And you particular strategic route toward your goal could be defined as your PURPOSE.
Unfortunately, some people go through life playing a game that don't want to play, but have no idea how they ever agreed to play it. It's just what life handed them.
To the degree that your work fulfills your purpose, it is a meaningful part of your game. But if you do not see how fulfilling your work is playing the game you want to play, then it is a distraction and will result in apathy and despair. You could be a janitor, but if it was perhaps part of larger game or purpose that you felt connected to, you would do it with pride and satisfaction.
But also, work is not THE game. And that's what I've seen with several successful people who do not know what to do with their success once they have it. If your work is your only game, then your game is too small. It's almost too winnable.
As I just alluded, I have seen people win that game, but when their "work" is a big as their game ever was in life, they fall into the rank of the "idle rich", who really are not very happy people at all. In most of these instances they will either cause their game to crash and burn, (now having a new game to rise from the ashes) or, more preferably they find a way to transcend themselves to a higher and bigger game.
Did you see the honorary Oscar last night for the lady who was head of Paramount Studios, who won that game and then passed it on to others so that she could now change the WORLD for the better? That's the SANE way to win a game. Witness why Bill Gates is moving beyond software as a purpose.
To me, my work is not my goal or my game. It is a purpose I enjoy on my way to my greater goals. I only hope I will be successful enough at it to have the opportunity to transcend it into a greater game, as mentioned above.
Lastly, what is HAPPINESS? Happiness is the overcoming of obstacles within a game toward a not unknowable goal. You may never reach your goal. But as long as you are getting closer to that goal, as far away and big as it is, and you are overcoming the obstacles on the purpose toward that goal your have chosen, you'll be flyin' high.
Post a Comment