Purpose. We all have one and this week we are talking about it. This week’s theme of purpose began with me looking back at how life changed for me when I read The Purpose Driven Life 10 years ago.
One of the first things you read in the book is the fact that it’s not about you. The message behind that is a good thing that was brought out early. The statement stems from the fact that we are put on this earth to help others, and we are built to serve God.
I believe in the fact that we belong here to serve others; we have purpose that is outside of ourselves. Yet I work and work to help people see they have a dream inside of them. I begin by asking them, “What do you want to do? What would you change about your life if you could?”
I like getting people outside of the troubles they are going through to see a bigger picture of the life they have, to actually see themselves having more. Yes, I used that greedy phrase, “having more.” But why would this be associated with the idea that it’s not about you?
Well, no one will ever get out and change the world if they do not have a reason why and the tools to do it. They need some reason to want to get up and make a change. In many cases that involves chasing something that is a dream to the point that one day they actually see the vision.
I recall from my Amway days that part of the presentation was about building the dream. We talked about having a different car; we talked about having a different house. One of the favorite things I heard came from a guy named Frank. When he made his presentation, he would say, “I can prove you can dream!” He would then ask the listener to pick a car, any car, and then told them he was paying for it. Every time they named a much better car than they currently drove; most times it was an exotic car. He always said no one ever asked for a Yugo. Then he told his joke: Why do they call it a Yugo? Because if you get hit in it, you will go. (Sounds funnier when you hear it than when you read it.)
Another man who spoke at one of our conferences once stated he was a Christian man and took on the bible title of being a “fisher of men.” He said that he just had to use very expensive bait. He was referring to the homes he had and the way he used them to inspire his down line to work to get more.
So I hope you get the idea I am placing here. Yes, your purpose is about helping others, but in order to do that, you have to get out from where you are and move forward. That may sound like pursuing a selfish dream first to get you going. So many want to save the world, but they have no money to do that.
People like Bill Gates and other very rich people give large sums of their wealth and start great foundations to help in areas that you and I can’t. To be able to do that you must first get the money. And let’s face it: we have a limited reach to get others to give enough to make that vision possible.
I love the way the Bono is. The man gives in so many ways, but also uses his fame and the name he has built to help others grab onto his vision and give themselves. To be this way you need two things: a large following and a large bank account. Both together can create bigger things.
So with your purpose, have you got a dream that has moved you from the spot you are to heading towards that point where you have the vision of your purpose? If you have no tools to make that vision work, start with a small dream of improving your own life, your own health, your own well-being. In that walk, you will see your eyes open to a much larger picture than you have ever seen, I promise.
I’m Tim Gillette, the Rocker Life Coach. It’s time to live your dream, to love what you do and those you share life with. Are you ready for the next level to become the RockStar in your world?
