Individuals, groups and companies all have a reason for their existence, a purpose. Rarely do you find yourself where you intended to be. Your goals went one way and reality went another.
In the famous movie City Slickers, when Billy Chrystal asks Jack Palance’s character the meaning of life, Jack commandingly holds up one finger and says “It’s one thing”, but Billy never gets the answer.
Our lives, and our companies all have a purpose. The only difference between people and companies is that companies get to choose their creation, their DNA. Once that purpose is found, we need to work on meaning.
For individuals, our purpose can be reduced to one word. We all seek one thing above all else, above fame fortune and family, we seek happiness.
We get meaning from our lives (have value) when our purpose is transferred to others. When we can transfer our happiness to others we create meaning.
Companies get to choose their purpose through mission statements, but critically, they are useless endeavours unless that purpose is transferred to the outside world. That point of transference is Service.
However, happiness is under attack! Service is under attack!
The next blog posting will indentify the elements that are attacking Purpose.
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1 comment:
Steve, isn't it interesting how we all want it but few know how to define it....happiness that is. The most practical definition I have come across is - if everyday you have someone to love, something to do, & something to look forward to - you're in a pretty happy place. What I like about it is you can check-in with yourself on all three and set yourself a goal to deal with it there and then. Great post Steve and remember, whether with self or your significant others it's all....Just a conversation! :o)
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