“So, what do you do?”
It’s one of those questions that follows us everywhere. Dinners, conferences, reunions, casual conversations with strangers. Most of us, myself included, answer with our job title or our role. It makes sense. We spend a staggering portion of our lives working, and so our work becomes a major thread in our story. But I’ve been thinking about that question differently lately. Because what we do for a living and why we exist, those aren’t the same thing.
What is your story? I believe each of us carries a purpose that is completely our own, irreplaceable, unrepeatable, and worth discovering. Our deepest responsibility isn’t to a job description. It’s to become, as fully as we can, who we were made to be. But what is that purpose? Why am I here?
Many years ago, I decided I needed to wrestle with that for myself. So, I sat down and wrote it out, not perfectly, but in a way that was honest and from the heart. I want to share what I found. But more than that, I want to invite you to do the same. Take a pause. Meditate on who you are. Reflect. What excites you? What gives you a sense of joy, meaning, and momentum? Next, dream. Look into the future of what you want to be. Write it down. Then go further. Define the verbs that shape how you live that purpose out, day by day. As an example, I will share what I wrote, and why I do what I do:
My Purpose
I believe my purpose is to use my gifts and knowledge I have gathered in science, technology, leadership and writing to help others, to elevate our human experience across the world. I will use my time to make a positive difference. I will encourage others and help them enjoy the amazing gift of life we have been given.
My Mission
Be Proactive – I will not passively let life go by. I will engage in creative discovery, problem solving, innovation and action to define my path and fulfill my purpose. I will enjoy life to the fullest and help others along the way.
Be Intelligent – I will actively pursue self-improvement by adding to my knowledge through continuous education, reading and experimentation. I will humbly acknowledge my weakness and seek wisdom to make able decisions and provide helpful counsel to others.
Be Generous – I will give to others in genuine need and look for opportunities in which to invest my resources for the good of my family, friends and fellow human beings.
Be Helpful – I will look for occasions to serve others. I will acknowledge that my work produces resources for my family and extends beyond our home to the community and society in general. I will extend assistance to those in need and will look for ways to help others grow in their life to meet their own purpose.
Be Compassionate – I will acknowledge my own weaknesses and be considerate of others. I recognize and embrace the rich diversity of our human family and will do my best to extend love, kindness, mercy and grace to all people.
Be Redemptive – I will look for opportunities to improve my environment and circle of influence. I will acknowledge my responsibility to myself and others and provide a positive impact on my environment, my surroundings, my fellow creatures, my home and my world. I will strive to elevate and to improve our human experience and condition.
What you do will change throughout your life. Why you do it… that’s yours to keep. Write it down. Let it be your compass. And then go live it.
Embrace your purpose. Be you.