“Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement. As [Napoleon] Hill said, ninety-eight out of every one hundred people either fail to define their goals or to move toward those goals. The two percent of us that do that make all the difference in the world.”
Don Green
Some live their lives in aimlessness, oblivion, apathy, and boredom. Because they lack a clearly defined purpose, they have no defined targets for which they aim. Living their lives following the path of least resistance leads to lots of wasted time and energy. They cannot recognize relationships, activities, or personal shortcomings that may be detrimental to their future 10, 20, or 50 years later. This aimlessness keeps them in a constant state of oblivion that puts them in danger of attracting unfavorable circumstances and allowing other oblivious people to attach themselves to them. Because of this oblivion, they dissipate energy in many different directions and have very little heartfelt passion for what they do. Being unable to see their career or job in light of a bigger purpose for their lives, they are apathetic in their work. They spend 40 to 60 hours per week in a job or career, simply going through the motions, not putting their soul into their work but allowing their job to take part of their soul out of them. Their work drains their life energy from them. They are essentially bored. They aren't fully “alive.” They are merely existing. Until they change, they're limiting the POSITIVE difference they can make in the world.
Contrast these individuals with those souls who live their lives with POSITIVE purpose, clarity, passion, and energy. Because they have defined their life’s purpose, they have a clear mark for which they are aiming. This allows them to move without wasted motion, eliminating all that is not on the path of that purpose, be it relationships, activities, or personal shortcomings. Because of this clarity, they can have directed passion for whatever work they pour themselves into. If they have not yet reached financial independence and need to work for a living, they do not have a career or a job. What they do is tied so inextricably to their purpose that they form a relationship with it. It ceases to be what most call “working” and is nurtured until it becomes a craft, an art. Their enthusiasm is palpable and gives them boundless energy. Though working very hard, their purpose-driven focus and effort make it seem as if they and their craft are one. The output of their work is what we recognize as the masterpieces of our world. It was all born out of their purpose. These people– these few – live. These are the two percent that makes all the POSITIVE difference in the world.
It is possible that you can identify with a little bit of each of these. These or the two extremes. Likely, you fall somewhere in the middle. I aim for you to move in the direction of the camp of those who live with energy, passion, clarity, and purpose. Start today!
Which of the two camps do you spend the most time in?
People NEED YOU. You are the only person who can do what you can do. You have unique experiences and skills that no one else has. Stop being a square peg in a round hole. Find your purpose by connecting the dots of where you’ve been so you can start mapping a course for where you are going.
What life change do you think you need to make to move in a direction of greater purpose for you and your family?
Take time to think about it.
Don't make a rash or hasty decision, but start being more intentional and take action... starting today.