Purpose is a force that gives life meaning
The neighborhood kids had congregated in the front yard when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting on the front seat was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog’s duties.
“They use him to keep the crowds back when they go to a fire,” said a 5-year-old girl.
“No,” said another, “they carry him for good luck.”
The third, a boy about 6, brought the argument to an abrupt end when he said, “They use the dog to find the fire hydrant.”
Everyone has a purpose in life.
Finding that purpose is among life’s biggest challenges. Discovering what is important to you, what you are passionate about, where you can make a difference — those are the factors that drive your purpose.
No matter how much money you make or how famous you become, living without a purpose takes the joy out of life. When the most important part of your existence is missing, the quest for material success becomes hollow.
My friend Brandon Steiner, who runs Steiner Sports, one of the country’s largest sports memorabilia companies, has written a book, “Living on Purpose,” that should be required reading for every young person starting out in a career. Brandon shares remarkable insights into how to win at the game of life when business success isn’t enough.
Brandon had worked hard his entire life and sold his company in 2000 for more money than he had ever dreamed of. But he wasn’t happy. He was emotionally bankrupt. His health deteriorated, as did his friendships. He had lost his purpose in life.
It took a few years, and with the help of some trusting friends, Brandon became a better husband and father, bought his company back and started getting more involved in charity work. He sought to leave a legacy.
In his book, Brandon details some of his journeys, such as learning about faith from New York Yankees great Mariano Rivera, getting tips on how to deal with fear from WNBA star Brittney Sykes, getting his “Jerry Maguire moment” with football star Otis Anderson and helping baseball great Alex Rodriguez, who sought redemption.
Not all of his stories are about sports stars, though. He talks about motivational guru Brendon Burchard teaching him about the qualities of extraordinary people: not being afraid to ask for help, collaborating with other talented, committed people and always measuring results.
John Gray, author of “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus,” told him: “Don’t buy your wife a dozen roses. Buy her one rose a dozen times.” Daily touch points are better than occasional ones.
Brandon’s mother was his role model. She used to ask him, “How do you eat a big elephant?” And then she would answer, “One bite at a time.” That’s why Brandon set up “snackable goals” on the way to the finish line.
Brandon also delves into a topic I care greatly about — relationships. He asks himself four key questions that help him take inventory of his relationships:
1. Do I trust you?
2. Do I really know you?
3. Do you understand me?
4. Are you what’s best for me?
“You want people in your life who are smart, kind, loyal and reliable,” Brandon writes. Above all, he looks for loyalty in people.
Brandon starts each day with an MVP list — Most Valuable Priorities. This helps him keep his agenda in check. Just as important, he recommends that you make a “Not-To-Do List,” filled with time-wasting or bad habits. This will save you a tremendous amount of time.
Discovering your own purpose starts with two basic questions:
- What do you do best? Focus on what you do well in your professional life, but don’t ignore what you like to do. This is not an exercise in setting goals or plotting a career path.
- What do you enjoy doing that helps other people? Getting outside of your own interests can lead to a more fulfilling life.
Combining these two elements is a good start to determining how to start living a life guided by purpose.
Without a purpose, we are like the man arrested for theft appearing before the judge.
Judge: “When do you work?”
Man: “Now and then.”
Judge: “What do you do for a living?”
Man: “This and that.”
Judge: “Where do you live?”
Man: “Here and there.”
Judge: “Young man, you are going to jail.”
Man: “When do I get out?”
Judge: “Sooner or later.”
Mackay’s Moral: The best life is one lived with purpose — on purpose.
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Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times best-seller “Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.” He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com, by emailing harvey@mackay.com or by writing him at MackayMitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.