Becoming better versions of ourselves requires self-awareness. It asks of us to think about our daily choices and how those choices are compounding—either for better or for worse. Being purposeful means connecting our daily choices with our long-term vision of who we wish to be as individuals. So let’s say in the long run we want to be a person who cares for the environment. But if we’re using plastic bags daily, wasting water while brushing teeth in the morning or showering, using non-degradable products, are we being purposeful?
Practicing being a person who cares for the environment would mean we would use cloth bags instead of plastic ones, use water mindfully, and choose biodegradable or eco-friendly products. Yes, we’d like others to follow our lead and live more eco-friendly lifestyles. But we also don’t want to be the kind of person who doesn’t want to understand other people’s choices and reasons for doing as they do.
We would like to grow into individuals who can listen and empathize and inspire others to become better. Being purposeful helps us take actions now, which will add value to the person we want to be in the long-term future while also enabling us to understand other people's long-term vision. Clarity around three concepts—goals, meaning and purpose—can help us be self-aware:
Goals are what we either do or wish to do in the days ahead. They include what we want to achieve in the short-term or long-term future. We create goals to get better in one or more areas in life like health, time management, academic performance, relationships, or professional development. Goals are specific, measurable, and attainable. An example of a ‘goal’ can be to become physically fit, which might require us to exercise every day for 30 minutes, eat home-cooked food three times a day, and sleep every day for eight hours.
Meaning is the reason behind our goals. It explains why we do what we do and why our ‘goals’ are important to us. Meaning gives the motivation to continue making choices that help us achieve our goals and shape us into the individuals we want to be. So let’s say if our goal is to be physically fit, ‘meaning’ can help us figure out ‘why’ we want to become so. It could either be that we want to build strong immunity, feel confident through physical fitness, become active, fight a medical condition, or lead a healthy lifestyle.
Purpose is the impact we wish to have on the people and world around us. Purpose means the bigger picture that we have in mind when making our day-to-day choices and connecting with the people in our lives. When we’re purposeful, it becomes a constant reminder for us to keep doing what we do and helps us connect with people who could benefit from our help. What can be the purpose if our goal is to become physically fit? Maybe it is to lead by example so that people around us also care about maintaining their physical health and benefit from leading healthy lifestyles.
While goals are more actionable, meaning and purpose guide us in terms of our thought process. Most of the time, we create goals, but we don’t know why (we can’t figure out the meaning behind our goals) or the impact we wish to have in the world (the purpose of our actions and choices). If we don’t think through the meaning and purpose of our daily choices, goals can’t be sustainable.
Goals, meaning and purpose also create a cycle. Our purpose guides us in creating goals. Our goals further help us become better in life areas that are meaningful to us. Together goals, meaning, and purpose can help us put our long-term vision in action.
The author is Linchpin at My Emotions Matter, an education initiative that helps individuals and teams learn the mindset and skills of Emotional Intelligence. Learn more at myemotionsmatter.com
