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Success Begins With Purpose
By Mark Cole
The most popular question John Maxwell receives when he is on the road
speaking and coaching is: “How do I become successful?”
John’s reply usually goes something like this: “You cannot
achieve what you have not defined.”
John’s
response is designed to help the questioner begin the journey to discovering
his or her purpose.
John says
this because he has learned from experience that the problem for most people
who want to be successful is not that they can’t achieve success; it’s that
they cannot define their purpose.
That’s
challenging for many of us, because we often picture success as looking like
someone else.
We find
ourselves pursuing the wealth of Bill Gates, the intelligence of Albert
Einstein, the athletic ability of Michael Jordan, or the imagination of Walt
Disney.
When
becoming someone else is our picture of success we eliminate the possibility of
becoming who we are meant to be.
So how do
you discover your purpose in life? How do you discover the person you were
created to be?
Here are
some questions I ask myself to help identify my purpose:
1. What
am I searching for?
I have heard John Maxwell say many times, “When I see people
who are tired before their time, lagging with their life, and complaining about
their circumstances, I know that they have no purpose.”
All of us
have a strong desire buried in our hearts, something that speaks to our deepest
thoughts and feelings, something that sets our souls on fire.
Searching
for that fire will bring perspective that will help you establish priorities.
2. Why
was I created?
Think
about your unique mix of abilities, the resources available to you, your
personal history, and the opportunities around you.
If you
objectively identify these factors while considering the desire of your heart,
you will be well on your way toward discovering your purpose in life.
Each of
us is different. No one else in the world has exactly the same gifts, talents,
background, or future.
That’s
one of the reasons it would be a serious mistake for you to try to be someone
other than yourself.
3. Do
I believe in my potential?
John Maxwell says, “Successful and unsuccessful people do not
vary greatly in their capabilities. They vary in their desire to reach their
potential.”
To reach
your potential, you must first believe that you have it. If you don’t believe
that you have potential, you will never try to reach it.
And if
you aren’t willing to work toward reaching your potential, you will never be
successful.
President Theodore Roosevelt gave great advice on this when he
said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
4. When
do I start?
To put it
simply — NOW! However, this seems to be the most paralyzing question for many
people.
Some
people never try to discover their true purpose for living. They live their
lives from day to day allowing others to dictate what they do and how they do
it.
Others
know their purpose, yet never act on it because they are waiting for inspiration
or an invitation to get started.
They
don’t realize that the most dangerous temptation is delaying your discovery of
purpose.
Here’s
the bottom line: If you don’t understand your purpose, you cannot be
successful, because success begins with purpose.
I believe
that God created every person for a purpose. I also have come to know that it
is our responsibility — and our greatest joy — to identify it.
Work to
discover your purpose. Don’t wait; start today! You will find the fulfillment
and success you want in life.
The John Maxwell Team empowers coaches, trainers, speakers and professionals seeking to add value to others and become top leaders as owners of their respective businesses, in their community or employment role, or for personal growth and development. This incredible team equips over 13,000 trained and certified John Maxwell Coaches to walk beside others in their journey toward their greatest potential.
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