Purpose Produces Results Purpose Energizes One of the most tangible benefits of having a clearly defined purpose is that you feel more energized and more resourceful. I don't know about you, but I can have all the stars and moons in the sky aligned behind me, but if I don't have energy, things just don't get done. There are theories that managing your energy is a key factor in success. Purpose helps create this energy. Energy creates excellent performance. When we have energy we make the time to do the things we need to do, as well as the things we want to do. There's nothing better than feeling highly energized and ready to take on the day. Purposeful people feel this way much more often than those without purpose. Purposeful people nurture that feeling; they stoke it like a small fire. But don't be fooled. Even purposeful people have down days. They get frustrated and uncertain just like everyone else. They just don't stay there very long. Not being fully involved and engaged in your job all the time is normal. Not ever being fully involved and engaged is a problem. Purpose Defines and Focuses Once you have a purpose you know where you want to go and how you are going to get there; you are "fully engaged." If you really believe that what you are doing is important you will not only have the energy, you will develop the focus that you need to reach that goal. Even if your job is not the most exciting in the world, by finding purpose in that job you will have given yourself a goal, something to focus on and work toward. That purpose will give you the ability to do more, to get more done, to be more focused and to feel a greater sense of reward when you have completed a task. In today's world, we are asked to do so many things, we get so busy just being busy that we often lose sight of where we are going. People who have purpose have little trouble deciding what to focus on. When there is an intense, burning focus, all the little things don't seem as important. Tying directly in with focus, a strong sense of purpose not only defines how we spend our day, it defines who we are. When we define who we are, we decide what we are capable of. We elevate our expectations of ourselves. We view setbacks as learning experiences that are temporary, not character flaws or weaknesses. Purpose Inspires and Enlists A great example of how purpose can inspire not just one individual but an entire nation was John F Kennedy's 1962 speech in which he outlined his vision of putting a man on the moon. He created a grand purpose that inspired an entire nation and resulted in Neil Armstrong walking on the moon only six years later. In companies today the people who are "on purpose" inspire others in the same way. They attract others like moths to a flame. Whether it's personal purpose or one that's tied directly to the goals of the company, their purpose is clearly visible for all to see. In environments where purpose is often lacking, people want to be around others who have purpose. They admire them, sometimes even envy them. One thing's for sure - they hope some of it will rub off on them. "But Bob, you just don't understand the kind of company I work for. Nobody has purpose. Everybody just does their job because they have to and then goes home. Nobody cares." A lot of people feel that way. But what would happen if you did start to care? What would happen if you decided to get excited about your job and simply brought more energy and passion into it? Chances are good that nothing would happen. Would anyone even notice? Probably not. Would you notice? Would you start carrying yourself a little differently? Would you smile more if you cared more? Would you give your opinion if you cared? Slowly but surely, the internal focus on purpose and passion will make its way to the surface, and I guarantee that eventually somebody will notice! Purpose Moves People who have purpose take action. They are not sitting around waiting for something to happen. People with purpose work hard at everything they do, and their belief in the value of their work makes itself known and shows itself to others. When you are without a purpose you waste time, you just fool around. When you find your purpose and begin to go after it you will find that you just don't have time to waste. Purposeful people are on the move. Even when they are resting or have down time they are contemplating their next steps. With purposeful people, you can see their purpose by watching what they do. Their activities define their purpose, they are always moving toward it. If purpose were defined by activity, what would yours be?