PEr Chronicles: Power of Purpose
KPop Demon Hunters has overtaken Squid Game as Netflix’s most-watched film ever. Its hit track “Golden” is the most streamed song in the US and the soundtrack is the first with four songs in Billboard’s Top 10 in it 67-year history. The animated film follows a K-pop girl group who moonlights as demon hunters. These heroes didn’t fight demons for recognition – they did it to protect, serve and change their world. And in doing so, recognition followed anyway.
That’s the lesson for us. Don’t chase the spotlight – chase the mission. True greatness comes when you act from purpose first…the world will eventually take notice.
Many of us live our lives by accident – stumbling into relationships, wandering into careers, searching for meaning, hoping that we’ll get lucky in love, find our fortune and stay heathy. I spent years like this, living at random. I have been looking down many paths for happiness. I’d like to say that the biggest money mistake I’ve ever made was spending money I didn’t have on stuff I didn’t need to impress people I didn’t like. In our keeping-up-with-the-Joneses society, this one can be huge. Money spent to impress others is money not worth spending.
Until I learned to live on purpose. I get so much energy from the idea that I can change someone else’s life for the better.
And when you understand what drives you, you can intentionally choose to act in a way that will energize you and be most influential.
Each of us will define and measure success differently. Some will place more emphasis on the economic scorecard than others. No matter what your choice you must understand that your rewards in life will be in direct proportion to the contribution you make.
We love to be with friends who accept, encourage and listen to us. We love to shop in stores where we feel welcome and important. We love to go to concerts where the music lifts our spirits. Clearly, what distinguishes truly successful people is that they are contributors. The power of purpose can certainly bring you fame and fortune.
Clearly define what gives you that sense of purpose. What challenges you to do more than you thought possible? What sustains you when everything seems to be crashing down around you?
As Nietzsche wrote: “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”
Experienced Problem-Solver with Diverse Expertise in Product & Project Management, Process Improvements, and Manufacturing Across Multiple Industries, Including Biopharmaceuticals.
1wFully agree with you Paul. In the beginning part of our career, most of us are driven by our basic needs, food on the table, roof over our heads. Driven by purpose helps make our lives more meaningful and probably closer to who we really are. The life changing moment comes when we realize when to switch over from survival to purpose driven. Many are still stuck thinking they need more to survive.