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Leading from Purpose

Purpose-finding is a funny thing. I found mine when I was 17 in a grocery check out line. I’m just now getting around to living it at 52.

I didn’t always have the words to describe what I wanted to do but I always knew what felt right and what didn’t. I always knew what I liked about the work I did, the career I was building, the companies I worked for and the family I was raising. I always knew what I had to ignore, tolerate, stuff down or turn a blind eye to in order to go on productively in work and life.

If I had one thing to tell my younger self about living my purpose it would be to look and listen. Look at what’s working, what I like, where my joy is – and do more of it. Look at what’s not working, what I don’t like, where my despair or depression is – bravely – and decide what to do about it. Listen to my gut, my heart and my spirit – and take them as seriously as I do my head. 

I say that I’m just now getting around to living my purpose, but that’s not altogether accurate. I’ve actually been living my purpose the whole time, it’s just that most of my life has been the curriculum in preparation for actually delivering on it.