A Woman’s Purpose

This morning I was reading from Treasury of Women’s Quotations by Carolyn Warner. In the book, Anne Morrow Lindbergh is quoted:

“I believe that what a woman resents is not
so much giving herself in pieces as giving herself purposelessly.”

Anne Morrow Lindbergh is a woman in history who I admire for the gifts she has shared with the world through her wisdom and life experience.

Remember as a child, and even as an adult, you may have heard yourself saying, “You did that on purpose.” My memories of that phrase “on purpose” were always bad. For example “you said that to hurt my feelings on purpose,” or “you broke that toy on purpose.” “On Purpose” – a deliberate action that you may or may not have thought long about before taking.

It is time to reprogram “on purpose.” I want to know that what I am doing has purpose and that it is “on purpose.”

It is my plan that my efforts have meaning,
they count for something, and that they matter.

Starting today, I am re-framing my negative message, feelings and attitude about “on purpose.” I will begin by asking myself the following questions?

1. What is my purpose in this company/organization? Not what is my role, or my job description, but what is my purpose? What do the results of my efforts provide to the team, to the organization and to the community? This is not a mission statement. It is instead a purpose statement.

2. What deliberate action(s) can I take to move through my day “On Purpose,” instead of because I have to, or no one else will? What focus can I bring to my efforts of accomplishing a task or achieving a goal instead of drifting through my day? Am I driving the direction of my day or is it driving me?

3. When asked to volunteer my time I will ask what is the purpose of my efforts? What will I help (not hope) to accomplish? Does this organization’s goals and mission fit with my values and purpose? Is this something that will contribute to my legacy and the future of others?

“On purpose” is a deliberate action to accomplish whatever you have decided to take on. Here is a simple home life example that you can apply to your work life. Tonight, instead of doing the dishes because you have to, or it’s your job, or no one else will, determine your purpose. Is it to have a clean kitchen and/or keep rodents from joining your household? Will the reasons bring you pleasure and a feeling of contribution? Ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” And while you are doing it, be mindful of what it is that you are doing. Pay attention and keep your thoughts focused on the process of washing the dishes – not the 62 million other things that are looming over you through the “to do” list in your head.

Patrice Hinton Oswalt, a professional Life Skills Coach, teaches that before taking on something new or honoring someone else’s request, to ask how does this fit with your values, those things you hold dear and contribute to your life’s plan and purpose. If you value a clean kitchen then doing the dishes will no longer be a simple chore that you consider drudgery, but an effort that brings you joy, because while you are doing the dishes purposefully, you also are fulfilling your purpose to keep a clean kitchen.

Ask yourself what are you doing in your work life “On Purpose?” What are doing on automatic, or because of guilt, crisis management, or because no one else will?

Choose one thing that you are currently doing at work that you feel you are not doing “On Purpose.” Decide today that for the next thirty days you will do this thing “On Purpose.” Whenever your mind or attitude drifts remember to refocus on the purpose of this activity. What is the bigger picture? What will bring you joy?

Today decide to begin to live your whole life “On Purpose.” In doing so you will enjoy the journey of discovering and serving “Your Purpose.”