I don’t believe anybody’s true purpose in life is to serve themselves. Instead, I think our purpose is rooted in serving others. We begin a life well-lived, full of meaning, contentment, and no regrets when we use our gifts and calling to achieve success through serving others.
But if we’re not careful, we’ll get wrapped up in “achieving” our purpose — or “doing our job” –, and completely lose sight of the object of our purpose — other people.
The Grind Plays Like This
It usually plays out like this…
We figure out our gifts and line them up with opportunities to serve. For example, I do that through speaking, training, and writing. You may do that through sharing products or services to help others achieve their goals, or teaching others about what you know, or using your gifts to help in someone else’s business, whatever your job or hustle may be…
Then, in order to make sure we do those things well, we make to-do lists of everything we must do. Productivity, right? We start tracking all our daily tasks, steps to accomplish the goal. We make sure we are getting our job done. And in the pursuit of productivity, we miss our purpose. Our priorities get out of balance.
How do you stay grounded to your purpose in the midst of the daily grind at work? Here are three ways.
As you plan your day or week, add these three action items to your to-do list so at week’s end, you’ve done more than work to take care of yourself…instead, your cup will be filled by pouring into others.
1. Celebrate Someone
Celebrating is all about reinforcing who and what is most important. For the person on the receiving end, it feels good to have someone reinforce that they are important. For you, it focuses your mind on selfless actions which creates a much more meaningful existence.
There’s always a reason to celebrate. Holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries, of course. But there are also national holidays like National Pizza Day — who wouldn’t love being surprised with free food?! You can celebrate summer break, a professional achievement, or simply just because.
2. Serve Someone
Everyone has hard things they’re dealing with in their life. Pick someone, a co-worker, customer, friend, family member — someone you can serve. Then think of a way to serve them. Clean their house, play with their kids so they can go out, mow their yard, make them dinner, plan something fun for them to do, etc.
Serving others is not about what’s convenient for you. Serving others is about giving them a leg up when they’re struggling. Whether you know them personally or not, who can you help this week?
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3. Strengthen Someone
Empowering others is key to everyone living out their calling. How can you use your words, actions, time, and other resources to strengthen someone else this week? Maybe you make time to stop by someone’s desk to speak life and encouragement into them. It could mean you choose to say ‘yes’ to the person who has asked you to mentor them — it’s your turn to strengthen them with your knowledge. It could be a handwritten note that simply says I believe in you. How can you empower someone to live up to their full potential? Something as simple as that may help someone else turn a corner into a better, brighter future.
Grinding for the Greater Good
When we realize this life is not about ‘me,’ but about ‘us,’ helping another to crush their personal goals, we all arrive in a better place. Keep your intentions pure, focus on serving others, and then the grind will be better balanced because you’re serving the greater good.
