Alyceum

Igniting Leaders, Inspiring Revolutions

Purpose

How is purpose connected to happiness?

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Across western society, the aspirations that get the most air-time are usually focused on becoming rich, famous and beautiful. The pervasiveness of a narrative, has many children growing up wanting to be famous for no particular reason, just to be famous.

Where are the same goals to contribute to society, to love who we are, to support our family and friends and learn and grow as human beings? You can have all the riches in the world, but that doesn’t necessarily make you a happy person.

“True happiness….is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose”
Helen Keller
 

I can’t over-emphasise the power that purpose has to add meaning to our lives. It gives us the strength and patience to go through the challenges in life.

Let’s start with what is purpose

The Purpose Challenge defines a sense of purpose as “being committed to something that is meaningful to you but also makes a difference to something bigger than yourself. How you want to leave your mark on the world and make it a better place, how you want your life to have mattered”.

So if we work from that definition, how can purpose impact our happiness and wellbeing?

Huge health benefits

There’s not one but many ways in which purpose contributes to good health. A study led by Harvard Medical School studied the risk of death by cardiovascular diseases in people with a sense of purpose and people without one. The study found the risk of death 20% lower in those who claimed to live with a sense of purpose.

Various studies also discovered that people with a purpose tend to take care of themselves more. Patrick L Hill, Grant W Edmonds, and Sarah E Hampson in their research article concluded that “correlational analyses found that participants’ sense of purpose was positively associated with their reports of vigorous and moderate activity, vegetable intake, flossing, and sleep quality. Combined in a multiple-mediator model, bootstrapping analyses suggested that sleep quality and vigorous activity proved significant unique mediators.”

In Japan, having a sense of purpose is referred to as ikigai, which roughly translates into “life worth living”. 11 years ago, lengthy research was conducted involving 40,000 Japanese people, and to discover if they had ikigai in their life. The iconic research was named the Ohsaki Study.

Here are some of the interesting findings of the people who claimed to have ikigai in their lives:

  • 50 % had mild or very mild bodily pain
  • 81 % had unlimited physical functioning
  • 22 % had a very low perceived mental stress
  • 69 % had a regular sleep duration of 7-8 hours

 

Don’t chase happiness, chase purpose instead

We can be allured into thinking that happiness is just the short, fleeting moments of pleasure, which are of course nice to have, but don’t stack up to a strong foundation of meaning in our lives.

Instead, what if we reframed happiness?

Psychologist Russell Grieger defines happiness as, “acting in accordance with your passionate purpose, grounded in rational thought and self-discipline, and guided by personal principles.”

Positive Psychology research, Sonja Lyubomirksky describes happiness as “the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.”

Thomas Jefferson said happiness is a pursuit, and years later, the researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles confirmed it in their magazine article. They talked about eudaimonia, which comes from having a deep sense of meaning and purpose.

When we have a goal, aspiration or intention in front of us, our life suddenly has clarity. Every decision and every move is a step towards that goal, and every step comes with a rewarding feeling.

Keep in mind that your purpose is bigger than you, and involves others as well. Every step you take towards that goal is making others happy, and that brings a feeling of fulfillment and happiness.  I love the meme on the left – in a world full of Kardashians, be a Curie. A Marie Curie, who through her dedication, expertise and knowledge won two Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry.

With a passionate purpose, comes energy and momentum. The best thing is, this energy never wanes or disappears over time.

 

So how can you find your life’s purpose?

Deep within us, we all have a purpose that can drive us. Sometimes it’s buried deep, other times it’s rising to the surface. Watch out for our upcoming blog series on purpose plus our new online course called the Purpose Masterclass.

 

Get this Free Guide: 6 POWERFUL SECRETS TO FIND YOUR HIGHEST PURPOSE IN LIFE

The world needs more purpose-driven people. But where do you start?

This inspiring guide will give you powerful insights to find and refine your own purpose in life.
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Finding your Flow at Work

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Why do some people dread their work and others find it a source of motivation and energy in their life? With a little investigating about what made people happy at work, I came across a study by Wrzesniewski, McCauley, Rozin and Schwartz that found three common ways people saw their work.

It was either a:

Job: not a positive part of your life, something that gained financial rewards only and not enjoyment or fulfilment.

Career: where there was not only financial gain but also some career advancement within their organisation too, or

Calling: where people are motivated to work not only for the financial or career advancement gain but they viewed their work as fulfilling and socially useful to the world.

How do you see your work? Would you describe it as your calling? And what causes people to view it in such ways?

Now, you might think that some jobs may be more in line with being a calling than others. For example, surely being a teacher or an international aid worker would always be a ‘calling’ compared to being a factory worker or a cleaner!

Well actually, apparently not!

All jobs can be someone’s calling

The researchers found there would be all three dispositions in most industries. So how can that be? How could someone view a job as a cleaner, for example, as a calling? Well, therein lies the secret, it really all depends on how we view things.

In a similar study, Wrzeniewski and Dutton interviewed a range of hospital cleaners, some who saw their work as a calling compared to others who saw it as a job. So what was the difference? The employees who saw their work as a calling did the following things:
• broadened their formal job boundaries to include additional tasks such as interacting with patients, bringing flowers to brighten the day of staff or showing visitors around.
• timed their work to be the most efficient.
• saw the bigger picture of the work they were doing e.g. helping patients get better.

The study went on to describe other examples in a whole range of industries including hairdressing, engineering, nursing, information technology and hospitality, demonstrating no matter what your industry is, how you view your work will have a strong effect on our work satisfaction.

It’s similar to the work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who in his book, Flow, explores how people reach flow (described as an optimal state of experience in their work) by working on goal directed activities that challenge our skills and expertise.

Let’s unpack this a bit…

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi described flow as an activity that you are “so immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity that we lose sense of space and time” or effortless concentration and enjoyment!

The key components to reach flow were clear goals, real time feedback and feeling challenged enough based on your current skills and expertise.

So if you’re keen to step into flow, here are some starting points:

1. Consider the broader impact of your work and connect to this as the purpose of your work. What is your calling? Connect your key strengths with your purpose or calling. Really connect with this intrinsic source of motivation.
2. Stretch yourself by finding challenges that push your knowledge and expertise. What development activities will challenge and excite you? Think about your biggest fears and how you can overcome them. How can you push yourself out of your comfort zone?
3. Find flow activities outside of work. Put your phone away and find activities and connections which make you lose track of time. Get outside into nature and go for a hike or a walk along the beach. Spend time with people and try a new activity like dancing or rock climbing. The sky is the limit!

Work is such a big part of our lives and despite whatever circumstances you have to deal with at work, you can reframe your view of work to create meaning and possibly live a happier life as a result.

This is my challenge to you: How can you view and act as if your work was your calling? Let’s start the conversation here!

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How to follow your purpose when things get tough

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Living according to your purpose, strengths, and values will dramatically improve your life for the better. But it will not be easy. A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that pursuing one’s purpose can trigger anxiety. I know this in my own life to be true – and of many change-makers too. It can be exhausting to follow a greater purpose. You wonder whether you’re making a difference, whether it’s worth it, and whether there is an easier way.

Following your purpose is a process, not a destination

Following one’s purpose makes many people feel like they are not good enough. That where they are in life isn’t good enough. And they feel they may never be good enough to live their purpose. If that is you, you need to understand that following your purpose is a process, not a goal. It is the sense of direction that guides what types of activities and accomplishments you pursue. And your success at those things does not define it!

Purpose requires sacrifice

Another big reason why people do not pursue their purpose, strengths, and values is that it requires sacrifices. In some ways, society makes it easier to just eat junk food, lie on the couch after work, and binge watch the latest tv show. Or to think that the latest gadget or expensive bag will bring you happiness.

Purpose takes sacrifice. To live the life of a revolutionary, you have to make decisions outside the norm. You have to take actions outside the norm and surround yourself with those moving on a similar path.

How to hang in there when following a purpose-driven life gets tough

1. Know the stress coping mechanisms that work best for you. Change is stressful! And stress on top of additional responsibilities can make transitioning to living a purpose-driven lifestyle difficult. What are the activities that get you in flow? Running, dancing, painting, playing with your kids or going for a walk in nature? Get in the flow.

2. Stick to a sleep schedule to prevent exhaustion but also be prepared for some sleep-deprived days. If you are working full-time while acquiring the knowledge and experiences that you need to transition into a position that more closely aligns with your purpose, strengths, and values, some tired days are inevitable. However, you are unlikely to achieve your goals if you are continuously exhausted. Arrange your schedule to ensure you have at least six to eight hours of sleep. Sleep is integral – don’t skip it!

3. Celebrate the small milestones. This is so important! We forget to celebrate along the way. When you make progress by finding your purpose, consistently do something that enhances your strengths, step out of your comfort zone to make a decision that aligns with your values, or achieve any other milestone, acknowledge it. Research shows that celebrating small wins makes you more motivated and happy. It’s the small things – don’t forget it!

Find a Partner

A powerful way to ensure that you stay on track is to find an accountability partner. Think of it as peer coaching.

The American Society of Training and Development found that people who have an accountability partner are 95% more likely to complete goals on time than individuals who try to achieve their goals on their own.

95%! That’s huge!

Your peer coaching partner could be a work colleague, supportive friend, or family member who will not let you make excuses. Or if you want to grow alongside other people who are pursuing big goals, join a mastermind.

Masterminds are groups of people who support one another in their goals. The benefit of being in one is that not only does the group hold you accountable for what you tell them you want to accomplish, seeing the other members of your group do great things can increase your motivation to do the same.

Final Words

Stick with it. As Ryan Holiday would say, the obstacles are the way! Take every challenge and reframe it as a way of learning, a way of improving, and a stepping stone to living the life you want. And remember, a little stress helps us challenge ourselves as we rise to the occasion!

Now over to you: What is holding you back from pursuing your purpose? I’d love to know!

Get this Free Guide: 6 POWERFUL SECRETS TO FIND YOUR HIGHEST PURPOSE IN LIFE

The world needs more purpose-driven people. But where do you start?

This inspiring guide will give you powerful insights to find and refine your own purpose in life.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

What’s your greatest wish for 2018?

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T  o create the change we want in the world we have to know what we want!  Instead of new year’s resolutions and goals always being focused on what we want for ourselves, let’s think about what we would like to co-create for our community.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is currently happening in Davos, Switzerland.  WEF is an independent international organisation committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. This year’s theme is creating a shared future in a fractured world.

This got me thinking – what is my vision for a shared future? 

For me personally and for where we are collectively in the world, I see a new leadership is emerging.  This leadership is less about external success and more about leading with a deep sense of character (distinguishing qualities) and wisdom (acting on your knowledge).  We are calling out for leaders we can trust, that show humility and are focused on what’s good for all, not just for some.

This leadership is about bravery and courage.  To step out, to create, to have a voice, to listen and to bring together.

This leadership doesn’t ask ‘what can I get?’, instead it asks ‘what can I give?’.  How is my life and circumstances calling me to step up and serve in the world?

A thoughtful challenge to kick off 2018!

So here’s a thoughtful challenge for your long weekend – what’s your greatest wish for the world?  Share it on social media with the hashtag #greatestwish.  Let’s start our own conversation about our shared future and come together with others to make it a reality.

For inspiration, I asked six leaders across the country what their greatest wish is for 2018 and here are their answers.

Wendy Brooks, Managing Director, Wendy Brooks & Partners

My wish for 2018 is to see a more inclusive, accepting and generous Australia.  Let’s stand for this and demand and celebrate political, corporate and community leadership for these values. Particularly let us work with our First Nations people to gain true and meaningful sovereignty and open our hearts, minds and funds to the thousands of people seeking asylum throughout the world.

 

Samantha Bowen, Founder, Acorn Network

My greatest wish is that we all embrace our ability to take that first step on our leadership journey. Our future is about embracing the concept of positive and disruptive leaders. It’s a journey with deep roots, grounded in the perception that leading well is to conduct your followers: To be the one visible and shouting it all from the roof tops. In reality we all lead in our own way. All of us combine to create powerful movements, achieved through sharing failure, success, and our vision of a better future. For 2018, I would challenge you to step up and shine through mentoring others, sharing what you’ve learnt through failure, or reaching out to a leader and sharing how they’ve inspired you. Imagine the difference we can all create when we see each other as influencers who help each other to be better leaders.

 

Lali Wiratunga, National Manager, Davidson Institute, Westpac Financial Education

My greatest wish for 2018 is that we as individuals, families, organisations can continue to adapt, prosper and grow – balancing our goals with the sustainability of our community and Mother Earth.

 

Duncan Ward, Founder and CEO, Classroom of Hope

My wish is for every child to have access to a quality education because education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world as Nelson Mandela puts it. World leaders making more conscious decisions and allocating resources for the benefit of people and planet so that we can work towards a more balanced and harmonious world.

 

Kieran Johnson, State Manager, Opportunity International

My greatest wish for 2018 is for individuals to engage deeper in generosity – giving of money, time, energy and compassion. Generosity breeds generosity and it is the antidote for greed, corruption and hate. Plus, those who are generous are both emotionally and physically healthier.

 

Michelle Sandford, Technology Evangelist and Developer Advocate

My wish for 2018 is that each of us looks up from where we stand and views the world around us with new eyes. That we look around for every opportunity to support others, enable those that can benefit from it, ally with those that need it. This is the moment to enable those with less than us – and each of us that gives another their hand will in turn benefit from what comes next.

 

What’s your greatest wish for the world in 2018?

 

Stretch your leadership thinking

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Any great leader worth their salt has a life long desire to be stretched. We do this with our technical expertise all the time – books, training or conferences and if we are committed, we do this with our leadership capacity too.

What informs your understanding of leadership?

When I look at most leadership books and conferences these days, my eyes glaze over. Why? It seems like the same ‘voices’ get promoted time and time again. The same leadership messages arise and build the basis of our leadership understanding.

What if you are not challenging ourselves enough?

Is it time to break free from those ‘voices’ and listen to a new tune?

Do you challenge your leadership thinking or stay where it’s comfortable?

When was the last time you read a leadership book by a female, an author that’s not American or from non-Caucasian background?

Time to break out

I am constantly mindful of what sources I read and recommend to ensure I’m getting a variety of leadership perspectives. I’m interested in broadening my sources so I’m not always reading leadership from the perspective of a white American male which can easily be the case. I have plenty of those books on my bookshelf already and learned a lot, but…

No one gender, generation or geography has the monopoly on great leadership

So I would love to hear your favourite books on leadership from a variety of authors – I want to stretch and challenge my knowledge and understanding of leadership.

Here are some of my recommendations:

  • Who Do We Choose to Be? Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity by Margaret Wheatley
  • Leading from the Emerging Future: From Ego-System to Eco-System Economies by Otto Scharmer and Dr. Katrin Kaufer
  • Reinventing Organisations: A Guide to Creating Organisations Inspired by the Next State of Human Consciousness by Frederic Laloux
  • Collective Genius: The Art and Practice of Leading Innovation by Linda Hill, Greg Brandeau, Emily Truelove and Kent Lineback
  • Act Like a Leader, Think like a Leader by Herminia Ibarra
  • Presence: Bring your Boldest Self to your Biggest Challenges by Amy Cuddy
  • Radical Candor: How to be a Great Boss without Losing your Humanity by Kim Scott
  • Open Leadership: How Social Technology can Transform the Way you Lead by Charlene Li
  • Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
  • Business as Unusual by Anita Roddick
  • Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism by Muhammad Yunus

Let’s bring a variety of voices to the table. In fact, let’s give them a loud speaker too.