BLOG_2019_10_17_The Business of Purpose
The Business of Purpose
17 OCTOBER 2019
Two bricklayers are working alongside one another at a building site. A man walks by and asks one of them what they’re doing.
The first bricklayer replies, "I don't know and I don't care as long as I get paid. All I do is slap this crummy mortar on these crummy bricks and pile them up in a crummy line."
The other bricklayer smiles, proudly proclaiming, "I'm helping to build the new school."
We’ve all met people who focus on the “what” they’re doing instead of the “why” they’re doing it. It’s difficult to feel passionate about something when we’re missing the meaning behind what we’re doing and why we’re here.
So why are we here?
How a person defines purpose has as much to do with his or her mindset as it does with personal, philosophical, cultural, religious and scientific beliefs.
The Purpose of Knowing Your Purpose
Defining purpose in work, life and business is not about the daily tasks, it’s about the reason for the tasks in the first place – the why, not the what. Discovering purpose allows a person to create the vision behind the tasks, and knowing that vision can dramatically change results.
For example, a chef’s purpose is not to cook food – that’s a task. The reason for this task is to help people enjoy life by having a good time with loved ones around a meal they didn’t have to prepare (or clean up) themselves.
Knowing your purpose helps:
- Give meaning to everything you do.
- Guide you through tough times and difficult decisions.
- Encourage you to follow your instinct instead of following the crowd.
- Motivate you on your journey even (or especially) when you encounter failure or rejection.
People who are fulfilled at work or in their business know how the work they do supports the company’s vision, values and goals whether it’s someone else’s business or their own.
