In memory of James G. Butler. A Man who Knew.

Do you know why you are here?  What you are here to do?  How the world will change because you have trodden on it?  This lifetime?  Now?

Do you know why you are here?  What you are here to do?  How the world will change because you have trodden on it?  This lifetime?  Now?

I work with individuals. I also work with teams and corporations.

It is the same conversation with yourself, with a team, a corporation; albeit in the former the illusion of there being just a single voice is a bit more of a trick to see clearly (we are, to be only slightly facetious, just a bunch of neuroses with a mailing address, all competing for air time. ‘You’ do not exist –  for another post…)

There is one thing that unifies both individuals and groups; purpose.

What are you here on this planet to do? – or in this job, this role…

So the theory goes; if you know that – your purpose – then all the decisions of life become easy(ier) as there is a touch-stone to test every decision against; does this serve my purpose?

I used to sabotage this notion for myself with a conversation about how that was too dry and boring and had no juice in it. Then I realized that part of what served my purpose was what served me, and if I am not having fun, then shit just does not get done! So my how I serve my purpose has to incorporate all of me and how I feed this human being with connection, love, joy and play so I get to go and create extraordinary things. Personal well-being, taking care of this human vehicle, is the foundation.

There are some great, simple distinctions, albeit still greatly misunderstood that help create this kind of focus. You have probably heard of vision, mission and strategy. Here are mine:

Vision: The greatness of Humanity realized, in partnership with all that is – in Peace, Love and Creativity.

Mission: I transform myself and the world through fierce, fearless presence.

Strategy: I Lead, Mentor, Coach and Facilitate from extraordinary vulnerability, with integrity and compassion.

To paraphrase Richard Bach – ‘I have not yet achieved this. I know because I am still alive.‘

What are your versions of these distinctions?

I observe that many companies, despite this being de-facto management-speak for at least the last two decades, often do not have these clear for themselves. A mission or vision created by a well-paid outside consultant is probably worthless. It has to be owned. It needs to be visceral. It has to be yours.

In the absence of clarity, the ‘shadows’ of these distinctions run the game – often playing havoc and leading to profound confusion within people, organizations and teams.

For example – from a well-known financial services organization “Our Vision is to improve our clients’ ‘X'”. Is this inpiring? This is too easily achieved, and not enough to cause transformation or call the organization to greatness. How about something like: “Our clients achieve extraordinary ‘X’ through engaging with the world-leader in ‘Y'”?

A great starting point for you to discover your vision, mission, purpose and/or that of your organization – ask yourself – what is the world you want to see? What is the more beautiful future you want to see unfold? (Vision). Now look who you are and what you bring to your life that aligns with that (Mission). Only then, look at what you *do* and see how you bring that into alignment (Strategy/Game). 

There are some more layers to it – but I think you will get the idea. Play with it. See if it works for you. If you want to explore this further, why not book a free consultation with me to explore what a life with your Vision and Mission in clear focus would create for you.

What would life be like if you knew why you were here? Ready to find out?

don@dongoodevecoaching.com, 250.532.9959