Why do you exist? Why do I exist? What is the purpose of our lives? Big questions, hey! Well over the last few days, without meaning it, I’ve drafted and re-drafted a personal core purpose. What I mean by a personal core purpose is the reason that I exist.
How did I come to ‘fall’ into working on my core purpose?! Well I’ve been feverishly writing the Culture is Everything book and part of that process involved writing about the concept of a core purpose (you know, the short sharp statement that describes why an organisation exists).
Discovering the ‘why’, the core reason that a business exists is the starting point for any great organisation. As I wrote about this concept and reflected on how we discovered The Physio Co’s core purpose, I started thinking about my own purpose. What drives me? What inspires me to continually get out of bed, set goals and then passionately work towards achieving them? Then all of a sudden I started to feel really silly. I thought to myself why on earth do I do what I do? Why do I set these seemingly random goals without a core purpose that guides my direction and aligns me to the reason that I exist? So I got to it and started working on discovering my own core purpose.
I spent quite a while thinking, drafting and working towards why I exist. I had many drafts and thoughts, but not one that I felt really nailed it. So I decided to try something different. I started thinking about my professional life. My job as founder and CEO of The Physio Co. What drives me in that part of my life? Again, I had lots of drafts until finally I discovered something that felt right.
What I discovered was that the work I do everyday, have done for the last 8 years and what I think will drive me for years to come, has just one focus. My personal purpose at The Physio Co is: “to create a business that feels like a family and inspires me to improve myself every single day.” The reason this felt right is because it has a higher purpose, a meaning greater than myself. Because, if I improve myself every day, I’ll become better at my job and contribute to an even better family at The Physio Co tomorrow.
Now, this purpose is still just a draft. I know there’s more work to do on it and I’d prefer to have a personal rather than a work-related purpose. But, it’s a start and I promise to share any updates as my purpose becomes clearer.
Ever considered why you exist? Do you have a core purpose already? I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you have a minute, please leave a comment or question below :)
Very thought provoking, thanks Tristan. What struck me in reading your blog is how easy it is for us to lose sense of that purpose. I get distracted despite knowing the value of staying focused.
How do you stay focused on your purpose?
Tristan, there are two very powerful ways that I used to find and define my true purpose. 1. Edward Gifford and the On Purpose Partners. Edward is based on the Gold Coast and is wonderful at helping people find this missing link between mediocrity and success. 2. Simon Sinek’s book “Start with Why” go to TED.com and listen to his 18 minute speech. People know what they do and how they do it, but very few understand why they do what they do!!
I found my “Why” and let me tell you it is a life changing experience!!
Excellent Post Tristan.
I second Paul’s recommendation about Simon Sinek’s book, Start With Why. As soon as I read your post I jumped to the comments to recommend the book, only to see that Paul beat me to it!
As you refine your core purpose, I suspect that you will find it’s the same for personal and business.
I have a short and medium version of my core purpose:
Short version: Enrich others.
Medium version: Care passionately. Help others. Appreciate always. Live with intention. Explore with curiosity. Push the edges. Take care. Listen hard. Be positive. Make a difference. Give generously. Learn constantly. Be excellent. Live brilliantly.
Thanks so much for your comments guys, I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.
I too am a big fan of Simon Sinek. His TED Talk is the best. For those that haven’t seen it, put 18 minutes aside and watch it here: http://youtu.be/qp0HIF3SfI4.
Andre: Thanks for so openly sharing your core purpose, I really enjoyed reading it. It’s inspiring You’ve even got two versions. I love it! Thanks again.
Paul: Thanks for your tip on Edward Gifford and for your thoughts on Simon. Much appreciated.
Sean: You’re not the only one getting distracted. It happens to all of us sometimes! The most powerful tool I use for staying focused is something called the Top 5. You may have heard it from Verne Harnish and/or read it in his book, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits. Cameron Herold explains it well here too: http://www.backpocketcoo.com/blog/focus/top-5/ Good luck!
It seems like one of the excellent side affects of what you mention here, staying on track and focused as a CEO, is that it keeps more of the folks you work with focused and energized too. Not just employees, but those who rely on you and who you work with you in other capacities.
While it sounds awesome to be so focused, it’s a tough spot to get into and it sounds like you’ve hit it pretty well. Well done on the Ironman comp too!