He officially became an octogenarian that day - his birthday. – Sitting on his porch, sipping a cup of tea, he looked at the bright sun and felt the pleasant morning breeze. He was a fine, healthy man, high in spirits, cheerful and joyous. He had been through many enriching experiences in life, filled with learnings.
“No better time than now to be grateful to the divine for such a graceful life,” he remarked.
“Tring, tring,” rang the telephone bell. He got up from his chair and walked briskly to answer it. It was his dearest student, wishing him a long life. After exchanging pleasantries, he leaned back on his chair and recalled the fruitful moments from his life. It was like a beautiful movie playing right in front of his eyes.
There was a simple moment of epiphany, five decades ago. As a 32-year-old, one day, he sat in his office, pondering on the tasks at hand. There was a sense of unrest within him. He wondered what he would achieve by working on mundane reports. Suddenly, a question popped in his head. “Is this what I really want to be doing with my life, every day?” The moment he thought of this, three queries arose in his mind:
1. Does this gratify me?
2. Am I helping my boss, my team and my customer with what I am doing?
3. Is the organization, as a whole, going to benefit by this?
In retrospect, these resounded so well in multiple contexts: (a) In the context of life as a whole; (b) in the context of life in our workplaces
Being a person who had been spiritual by nature, the huge wall that he always thought existed between the words, business/corporate and spirituality, seemed to crumble right in front of him. While the two situations seemed to be poles apart, there indeed existed many similarities and connects between them; the core PURPOSE being the primary.
The entire design of his life that ensued unfolded with ease, when he got answers to his queries. Not only did his life thrive in the years that followed, but he also led many people on the path to success and happiness.
A legacy!
Why do we do what we do?
Every individual in his/her workplace works with different goals in mind.
While some target an increased bank balance, there could be others who focus on their career growth and increase in knowledge base. There are also people, who think of nothing but the growth of the organization. That indeed becomes the big picture - the larger purpose, when understood in depth. The growth of the individual happens naturally with the growth of the organization.
Likewise, our growth in life, personally and spiritually, happens when we work, keeping in mind, the welfare of those around us. Isn’t it loud and clear that there does exist a strong connect between business and spirituality?
Clearly, the connect lies in the KPI (key performance indicator)! The measure of success in both is the happiness quotient that is achieved; the difference just lies in the way it is measured.
Inspired by vision
Typically, any work happens with ease when we have a clear vision. Knowing the ‘why’ gives a clearer ‘what’ and an easier ‘how’. A vivid sense of purpose brings out the energy from within us, helping us work with a laser focus and with a healthier outlook. It makes us more resilient to stress.
1. Seek your calling Introspect; Find out what inspires you to get to work every morning.
2. Expand your context of life and work If looked at from a limited context, your potential becomes limited; your performance gets limited. When your perspective widens, your vision becomes clearer, observations get better, actions impeccable and there is a deeper sense of satisfaction.
3. Seek value in what you do Have a measure of your contribution; to what you would call a fruitful day Are you sure the room you are in is better than it was before you walked in – a satisfaction for the self, your family, your team, your customer and your organization.
The purpose is nothing but determined action inspired by an internal drive. Our purpose engages and inspires us from within. It brings a deeper commitment to service to customers and community; ensures a sense of satisfaction all through the journey.
Tangible outcomes
- Ensures stakeholder happiness
- Brings the right values to the table
- Focus shifts to a ‘we’ than ‘just me’
- Helps build our own brand
- Fueled by collective and collaborative work
- Delivers more with minimal expectations
- Makes us resourceful
- Ignites confidence and passion
The entire workplace becomes a platform for self-mastery then! What we do becomes a passion than mere ‘work’. Work becomes service than just a ‘task’.
The value and joy generated creates a ripple effect into all other facets of our life and leaves no room for negativity. It becomes a fertile land which harvests more leaders.
Journey to success and happiness becomes quite easy then, with two essentials:
1. Knowing where we are today, which helps us set pace towards our destination
2. Understanding and appreciating ourselves and others more
A legacy, be it in personal life or in business, becomes a reality not with just one giant step, but with many small steps with a clear sense of direction, a well-defined purpose!
A life with purpose brings a twinkle in your eye, a smile on your face and empowers you to weather the many storms that are a part of life. That purpose will reflect in your face too, just as it reflects in an octogenarian gentleman, basking in the warm winter sun. Perhaps this is what you call a life well lived!
