The purpose of this site is to offer thought leadership on the topic of leadership. Self-leadership is a prerequisite for formal leadership. Before you can effectively lead others, you have to demonstrate that you can lead yourself. The most common self-leadership challenge is the pursuit of personal purpose. We might call this a lack of self-direction. So I’m sharing The Starfish Story to help with this universal challenge. And, these words from Mark Twain.
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
Purpose is one of three critical components for personal drive. Any of us can get through life without a clear sense of purpose. Most do. If you’re willing to settle for just getting by, read no further. If you’d prefer to experience more motivation, meaning and fulfillment, here’s some food for thought.
Your purpose can not be rented. No one will hand it to you. You need figure it out and then own it. Warning: That requires a higher level thinking that most of us avoid. Why?
Without internal motives, we allow our drive and motivation to come from external sources; other people, organizations and situations.
When you discover purpose, you’re like that lost traveler that suddenly finds a compass and a map. Or those who discover how to use the GPS navigation app on their smart phone. Here’s some guidelines.
Pursuit of purpose requires introspective thinking. Seems simple enough. But how does that work? One definition of thought:
“Thinking is about the questions that you ask yourself.”
And to go one step further:
“As you improve the quality of the questions that you ask yourself, you will improve the quality of your life.”
While I can’t supply you with our answers, I give you some questions to jump start your personal pursuit:
As you consider the difference you want to make in the world and struggle to believe that you can, consider…
A young man is walking along the ocean and sees a beach on which thousands and thousands of starfish have washed ashore. Further along he sees an old man, walking slowly and stooping often, picking up one starfish after another and tossing each one gently into the ocean.
“Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?,” he asks.
“Because the sun is up and the tide is going out and if I don’t throw them further in they will die.”
“But, old man, don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it! You can’t possibly save them all, you can’t even save one-tenth of them. In fact, even if you work all day, your efforts won’t make any difference at all.”
The old man listened calmly and then bent down to pick up another starfish and threw it into the sea. “It made a difference to that one.”
A life without purpose is like a ship without a rudder. Are you ever deterred from improving your surroundings by the size of the beach? You have unique talents and interests and they can make a difference.
And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make. – The Beatles
As you take your first steps toward discovering your personal compass, allow me to paraphrase another Beatles line: “All you need is thought.”
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Tom Lemanski helps accomplished leaders unlock potential, solve complex challenges, and amplify their impact.
Effective leadership is the key to driving meaningful, lasting success in a fast-changing world.
Tom’s focus on innovative strategies and self-awareness creates transformative results for leaders striving for the next level.
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A young man is walking along the ocean and sees a beach on which thousands and thousands of starfish have washed ashore. Further along he sees an old man, walking slowly and stooping often, picking up one starfish after another and tossing each one gently into the ocean.
One Response
Your WHY! must make you cry. WHY! (Purpose) is bigger than goals and plans. These get you to WHY!
Thanks, Tom.