A number of years ago I had the privilege of having dinner with Tony Buzan the originator of mind maps. Tony has written over eight books on the mind and how to use more of it. He has coached olympic athletes, business people and even Governments to raise the intelligence level of a whole country. Lets just say he has had a positive influence on the lives of thousands, if not millions of people.
During the dinner we got talking about purpose and what it means. He asked me what was mine, I said “to help people”. He looked at me, paused for a second and said “sure that could mean giving them heroine!”. So I asked him what his purpose was and without hesitation he said “to raise the mental literacy of the world!”
A few weeks ago I wrote an article entitled How to Live Your Dream and the first step in the article was to create a great purpose for your life. Of course there may be many purposes in our lives depending on the different roles we play – a business purpose, a life purpose, a parents purpose, a spouses purpose and so on. For this article lets focus on your business purpose.
Take a moment and a blank sheet of paper to write down what your business purpose is. Ask yourself questions like – Why am I in business? What do I want from the business? Go on take a moment to write down your answers.
Now lets think back to Tony Buzan’s purpose. What did he say his purpose was – “to raise the mental literacy of the world!” Did he say I’m in business to earn as much as I can as quick as I can and sell the business; or to pay off my mortgage asap and retire so I can enjoy myself; or to prove to everyone that I’m the best? I don’t think so! In fact if you reflect on any of the great leaders/achievers/business people in history you’ll see the focus of their purpose was far bigger than they were, in some cases it was even impossible to achieve in their lifetimes! In many cases they have “dreamed the impossible dream”.
I remember hearing that Walt Disney’s purpose was “to make people happy”. Recently I saw a bus with a Disney advertisement no the side. I thought to myself, he’s long gone but his dream lives on. I wondered had he achieved his purpose to make people happy – I asked myself – has Disney helped make me happy? Absolutely!
So how do you create a Great Purpose?
1. Simple really – begin with the end in mind. Its your funeral. What do you want said about your life? Get a blank page and let your heart sing!
2. Still not sure – go out into nature – by the sea, a forest, a mountain. Bring your mind to rest – take in some slow deep breaths and bring yourself fully into the present. Then ask that part within yourself that knows – what is my greatest purpose? Keep asking yourself this question over a few days, weeks, even months and then almost by magic you’ll find a need in the world that you can serve – you’ll feel the call and you’ll know – YES, this is my highest calling! For example Trevor Baylis who invented the windup radio was inspired to help people in Africa when he heard about the spread of AIDS. Read his story here.
3. Once you choose your purpose you can align your business to fulfill it or at least be a step in that fulfillment. For example it may be a financial step to put money into a particular cause. It may be that in your work you help people realise a greater part of themselves. It may be to focus your business on education in some way or provide some product which will positively enhance the lives of people. Or as Anita Roddick the creator of the Body Shop says in their “Reason for Being – to dedicate our business to the pursuit of social and environmental change …”
4. Also and most importantly – Be Specific. Like Tony Buzan – “raise the mental literacy of the world” or Disney – “make people happy” or like Anita Roddick of Body Shop – the pursuit of social and environmental change …”
What difference will having a Great Purpose for your business make to you and your business? Firstly you will have a surge of energy coming through you which will keep you going when facing the toughest of challenges. You and your business will also positively touch the lives of many people and you will experience deep fulfillment in your life. Anything else?
Well I’ll let the author of the Yoga Sutras and one of the worlds greatest sages Patanjali’s (approx 200 BC) answer with his famous quote about “Purpose”:
“When you are inspired by some great purpose,
some extraordinary project,
all your thoughts break their bonds:
Your mind transcends limitations,
your consciouness expands in every direction,
and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world.
Dormant forces, faculties and talents come alive
and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far
than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”
My next article will be on step 2 of How to Live Your Dream - Explore Your Dreams.
Until then may your realise there is a purpose in everything!
Yours On Purpose
Sean M Kelly
