We all want a life filled with meaning and direction, one where our actions feel purposeful and our efforts drive us toward a fulfilling vision of who we want to be. But how do you find that internal drive, the force that propels you forward even when things get tough? Within Rick Tamlyn’s Bigger Game framework, this force is known as your compelling purpose.
In this ongoing series exploring your bigger game, we’ve already delved into the driving force of hunger. Now, let’s shift gears and talk about the “why” behind that hunger: your compelling purpose. Essentially, it’s the reason you strive for growth, play bolder, and seek a life of greater meaning
What is a Compelling Purpose?
Within your bigger game, your compelling purpose is a driving force deep within you that gives your life direction and inspires your actions. A truly compelling purpose is deeply rooted in your core values – the principles that guide your decisions and reflect what matters most to you. Is integrity your bedrock? Or perhaps it’s kindness, innovation, or a deep commitment to social justice? Your values serve as a compass, ensuring your purpose aligns perfectly with them.
Think of it as the answer to the question “Why do I get out of bed in the morning?” A compelling purpose is something you might even do for free, not because it’s easy, but because it aligns so deeply with who you are and what you believe in. It’s about those intrinsic rewards that come from doing work that feels meaningful and aligned with your values.
Discovering Your Compelling Purpose
Discovering your compelling purpose is a deeply personal journey. It’s a process of self-exploration that involves connecting with your core values, igniting your passions, and contributing your unique gifts to the world.
The good news is, there are practical steps you can take to get started. Here are a few exercises designed to nudge you in the right direction:
- The “If Money Didn’t Matter” Question: Financial limitations often act as a barrier to pursuing our true passions. So imagine you had all the financial resources you needed. What would you dedicate your time and energy to? By removing this constraint, this question can reveal your deepest passions and the activities that bring you the most satisfaction.
- Notice Your “Peak Moments”: Take some time to reflect on moments in your life where you felt a sense of complete engagement, energized focus, and a state of flow. These “peak moments” could be work projects, volunteer experiences, hobbies, or moments of creative expression. What did these experiences have in common? What skills, strengths, or values did you tap into during those times? Reflecting on these peak moments can provide valuable clues about areas where your purpose may lie.
- Follow Your Curiosity: Curiosity is a powerful compass that can guide you toward your purpose. What topics are you genuinely curious about? What do you love to learn about or discuss with others? These natural curiosities can be a gateway to your passions and potential areas of impact. Don’t dismiss something simply because it seems impractical or unrealistic. Following your curiosity can lead you down unexpected paths that ultimately unlock a fulfilling purpose.
- Seek Feedback: Building self-awareness is essential for uncovering your purpose. But sometimes, valuable insights can come from trusted friends, mentors, or colleagues. Ask them about your unique strengths, talents, and the contributions you make. Their observations can illuminate areas where you naturally shine and offer greater value to the world.
The Impact of a Compelling Purpose
Once you’ve discovered your compelling purpose, you’ll start to see its transformative impact on every aspect of your life. This purpose helps guide your choices and shapes your overall sense of fulfillment. Here’s a look at how this impact manifests in both your personal life and professional world.
In Your Personal Life
Your compelling purpose becomes your internal compass, keeping you resolutely grounded in your core values. When faced with decisions, big or small, your purpose serves as a guide, ensuring your actions remain aligned with who you are at your core. This sense of alignment prevents you from being swayed by external pressures or fleeting desires, helping you make choices that honor your values, even when the path isn’t always easy.
Living with this level of integrity naturally creates a profound sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. This isn’t just about achieving external goals, but an inner peace that comes from knowing you’re consistently making choices that both honor and reflect your deepest values. You experience a deep joy in knowing that your daily actions, even the seemingly small ones, contribute to the bigger picture of living a life guided by your purpose.
In the Workplace
A strong compelling purpose also brings a powerful sense of alignment to your career choices. Instead of chasing solely external measures of success, you naturally seek out opportunities that connect to your values. This allows you to express your unique gifts while contributing to causes that align with your purpose, creating a sense of meaning in your work that extends far beyond a paycheck.
This alignment with your purpose translates into increased internal motivation. You’re not simply clocking in and out or blindly following orders. Instead, you’re actively investing your energy into something that matters deeply to you. Challenges become opportunities for growth and you’re inspired to go the extra mile, knowing that your efforts are connected to a greater cause beyond your own self-interest.
Compelling Purpose: The Heart of Your Bigger Game
In conclusion, discovering your compelling purpose is an essential step toward playing a bigger, more fulfilling game in life. It’s the guiding force that fuels your ambition, gives meaning to your actions, and unlocks a level of motivation that can’t be replicated through external factors.
If you’re ready to uncover your own purpose and tap into its transformative power, I’m here to help. As a leadership development coach, I specialize in guiding individuals through the process of discovering their purpose and creating actionable plans to live in alignment with it. Contact me today to start exploring a life filled with greater meaning and purpose!