by Montse Lorente
This sad reality is an illustration that few individuals are connected to their purpose - some sort of life mission that gives us meaning and fulfillment.
Our purpose is also called our WHY. It refers to why we get out of bed in the morning, what inspires us and gives us energy, why we do what we do. Knowing our purpose allows us to not just live or survive, but to THRIVE.
We all know what we do, some of us know how we do it, but very few of us can clearly articulate why we do what we do. The people and organizations who do are more successful than those who don’t.
When we are at our best and we are serving our WHY, we are serving others. Our WHY is our contribution to the world/ to others. And, this is also about our LEGACY and being good ancestors.
Finding meaning in a period where many things do not make sense will give you clarity and confidence to keep moving: a filter to make better decisions, in line with our values, and ultimately and most importantly, reclaim ownership of your life.
Our why it is not a statement about who we aspire to be; it expresses who we are when we are at our natural best. It should be reflected in everything that we do as it’s a moral compass that helps us make decisions and act in alignment with our essence.
Our Why is an origin story - it comes from the experiences we had, the people we’ve been influenced by, the lives we’ve touched, and the highs and lows we have faced.
“It’s a deeply personal journey born out of pain” (Simon Sinek)
The way to explore our purpose is by looking inwards and by adopting a habit of reflection.
Simon Sinek has carefully designed a method to define our Why. It starts with identifying your core values and your role models. Then, identify your significant life stores - around 6-8 - to analyze both the peaks and the valleys and identify underlying patterns and recurring themes.
Your WHY will be composed of 2 elements:
Because it is very difficult to be objective and see the golden thread that connects our stories, Simon Sinek recommends working with a partner or facilitator - someone who has excellent active listening skills, and who does not believe they know you by heart or they will be biased.
This is a PROCESS that usually takes about 6 hours of conscious dialogue (and some preparation work).
As humans, we are more than an ‘entity’ destined to produce and consume. Indeed, it is true that we live in a period of decline of human values, but behind every sunset is a new sunrise, a regeneration. It is up to us to restore those human values that make our lives shine and provide us with direction. The challenge of life lies within our own selves. It’s our responsibility.
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