Cam Taylor

Be inspired. Be focused. Be tenacious.

Purpose – GIYC part 8

Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it. ― Gautama Buddha

Without a purpose in life (the eighth quality in Robert Luckadoo’s list of eight*), the other seven* grit in your craw (GIYC) qualities are like soldiers without anything to fight for. Without a true purpose, true success in life and work is an illusive dream and we’ll miss our true calling.

purpose

Bruno — living with purpose

Bruno is a great example of a life lived on purpose. Bruno is Robert’s sheep dog — a Great Pyrenees guard dog who spends his whole life protecting a flock of Dorpers who would be decimated in a week if it wasn’t for Bruno’s protection. Bruno lives with an unflinching purpose day in and day out. He stands at the top of the hill on Robert’s Colorado ranch, overlooking the flock that grazes on the rolling grassy hills absolutely knowing his purpose.

“Bruno knows that without his leadership, without his guidance, protection and oversight, those sheep would be gone in no time. Bruno has no doubt why he was put on this earth. His purpose is to protect those sheep, with his life if necessary.”*

Bruno’s purpose is the master of the other qualities of grit he possesses. He demonstrates diligence, tenacity, optimism, flexibility, discipline, resilience and confidence because his purpose is clear.

Why bother with purpose

Having a purpose in my life has been a steady companion through storms, wind and waves. A purpose has guided me to meaningful work and connection. Purpose has been the oil that lubricates my joints and gets me out of bed in the morning when I would have rather stayed put.

If you look for happiness and fulfillment from outer circumstances you’ll be left wanting. If you define success by the size of your pay cheque, audience applause, sales numbers, the awards won by your kids, you’ll be left falling short of the best life offers. A deeper purpose is the sustaining force that will get you to the top of the mountain.

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Three key pieces to the purpose puzzle

1. A purpose is bigger than selfish desires

Having a purpose means shifting your focus from your own ambitions and desires to something bigger than you. It includes the interests and needs of others. A purpose doesn’t ignore your own needs but keeps them in perspective. “If you help enough other people get what they want, you end up getting what you want” (Zig Ziglar).

2. A purpose involves trust

For a purpose to fully bloom, trust is needed. I believe a higher purpose can be found by trusting God. Trusting others also opens the door to discovering and living out your greater purpose.

We are all pencils in the hand of God. — Mother Theresa

3. A purpose changes over time

As life’s circumstances change, so does your purpose. My purpose has changed a few times. Life is fluid and as we adjust, we are able to see and seize new opportunities and gain insights that take us on our way.

A final motivating thought

It doesn’t matter what you did or where you were…it matters where you are and what you’re doing. Get out there! Sing the song in your heart and NEVER let anyone shut you up!! ― Steve Maraboli

Who do you know who lives “on purpose”?
What can you learn from them that will help you live on purpose?

*The other seven qualities (for a total of eight) come from Robert Luckadoo’s book Grit in Your Craw. The eight are diligence, tenacity, optimism, flexibility, discipline, resilience, confidence and purpose.

Image source: Free image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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About Cam Taylor

Coach, author, speaker, father, friend, leader, life long learner.

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