buzz word or intrinsic to your success?

It seems to be a word on everyone’s lips…but what does it mean and why should you care about it?

Let me ask you a question. What is your reason for being? What are you trying to achieve?

To me, this is the basic meaning of “purpose”. Some call it a vision, some call it a mission, but in reality it is a combination of both.

Purpose is a very personal and powerful concept. It’s about understanding the ‘why’ behind what you do whether in your personal or professional life or in relation to your broader goals.

A sense of purpose gives direction, meaning and motivation, and acts as a compass that helps guide your decisions and actions. After all, if you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there?

New year, new me (that old chestnut)

Let’s look at the time of year. Did you start January determined to make this month different? Were you determined to channel positivity and not get bogged down in the conflicting details of work and daily life? It sounds great (in theory), but if you really want to make changes, you need to focus on the why and the how.

If you take my advice in December and give yourself and your team permission to slow down, shut down, and actually get out of work mode, the holiday sparkle will no doubt have already dissipated when the internal drawer starts flowing again.

But I’ll say it again (while doing my best to practice what I preach), we owe it to ourselves, our families, and our teams to strive for greater work-life balance and encourage those around us to do the same.

Although 2024 has been a mixed bag for many, there is undoubtedly still everything to play for in 2025. Even if you had a slow start to the year and are now looking at history and starting to panic, don’t! We can all start channeling our inner Monty Python and look on the bright side, if we become really clear about what we’re aiming for and what we need to do to get there.

“But I already know what I’m doing!”

Let’s get back to basics. When you have a clear sense of purpose, you’re more likely to stay focused and resilient in the face of challenges. It provides clarity, enables you to prioritize what matters most, and can help align your daily activities with your larger values ​​and aspirations. It’s not just about achieving external success, it’s about finding fulfillment and contentment in the journey itself.

This is the key. We often think about who or what will bring us satisfaction and happiness in life. In business, it can be all about reaching a certain goal, but as the corresponding goals shift and we focus on the next goal, and the next, we can make the mistake of not recognizing and enjoying what we achieve along the way. Therefore, it is important to celebrate victories, as every victory is a step in the right direction and proof that you are on the right path. It helps build momentum and provides motivation to keep trucking.

Purpose and positivity go hand in hand

The advantage of clarifying your goal is that it gives you the opportunity to identify what will really get you closer to where you want to be. In a fast-paced and often stressful world, the ability to continually manage tasks, activities and opportunities through a “lens of benefit” by asking: “Will this help me achieve my goal?” Is it compatible with the way I want to live and work?’ and helps filter out unnecessary burden. Simply put, if the answer is no, do yourself a favor and leave it as it is. The lighter the load, the better we feel and the brighter we are able to shine. There are also many studies that show the significant impact a positive outlook can have on the mind, body, and overall quality of life.

While variables such as financial stress or serious illness must be acknowledged, happier people are generally perceived as healthier, with an optimistic attitude that better enables us to cope with stress and its negative effects on the body (Hanssen, M.M., Legger, E. & Leger, F.). Research by the University of California and others suggests that it can increase your lifespan by seven years.

And it’s not just about the health benefits. Relationships are improved and productivity and creativity in the workplace are enhanced. According to award-winning psychology professor Carol Dweck, people who are more optimistic are also more likely to have a growth mindset.

As a business leader, the advantages for your team are also significant. If your organization has a defined purpose with values ​​and behaviors to support that purpose, and individual and company-wide goals, the journey becomes easier. Employees know what they are here to do and where they fit in the grand scheme of things, they understand that their contribution matters, they feel motivated, engaged, and, most importantly, valued. The company culture is one of positivity and appreciation for what everyone brings to the table, which in turn helps retain employees and helps attract bright new talent.

In summary

Of course, your goal can also evolve over time. It’s not always a fixed point but can change as you grow, learn and try new things. Sometimes it comes from feelings, personal values, relationships, or even a desire to contribute to something bigger than yourself. People often find purpose in their work, in family, in creativity, or in service to others.

What’s most powerful is when your purpose connects to both your strengths and the impact you want to have on the world. That’s when work doesn’t feel like “work” and your actions start to show up on a deeper level.

So, it’s time to step back and ask: “Why?” Why all this? Acknowledging and accepting the reality of where you are versus where you want to be in life or at work can bring true clarity and be a catalyst for real, thriving change. There’s still time to make it happen, so what are you waiting for?