The Professor of On-Purpose
Many of us who are business owners get invited to serve on boards. We're used to running things, not governing via policy through the CEO (for profit) or Executive Director (not for profit). The role of being a director is deeply misunderstood by most of us who serve on boards.
Recently, I was quoted in the following article in California Executive. Perhaps this will shed some light on your board involvements.
Now More Than Ever, Company Boards Must Respect Boundaries
Be On-Purpose!
Kevin
Many readers think I'm an "A" type personality who is extraordinarily organized and has it altogether. Guess again. Remember writers write about their struggles. Enjoy!
To watch more commentary on real life go to http://www.ingredientx.com/.
The On-Purpose Person
Making Your Life Make Sense
Let's skip the usual jacket cover hype here. Instead, I'll post bits and pieces of the back story – how the book and message of Being On-Purpose came into being.
There isn't a week that goes by when I don't get asked by someone about becoming an author. It seems everyone wants to write a book. Few actually step up to the challenge – and it is a challenge. Even fewer find the commercial success they expected. So you better understand why you're writing a book in the first place.
Please post your comments or questions here about becoming an author or about my books or publishing experience in general.
Ask YOUR Questions here about publishing a book and I'll share one best selling author's perspective.
Be On-Purpose!
Kevin
You have only one purpose in life. Once you know that purpose, you are to align your life and make choices consistent with it so you are on your purpose, rather than off your purpose. That’s the essential message of being on-purpose.
In business, and especially in the church community, many people write about their “purposes.” Note the use of the plural form, a recent pop culture invention mostly due to Pastor Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life in which he tells people they have five purposes of Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, and Evangelism. These are missions of the church, not purposes. For all the good Pastor Warren’s book is doing, it is ultimately confusing people at the core of their being, but it is getting them engaged in life more profoundly.
You do not have many purposes in life. You may have multiple visions and missions, but only one purpose. You may have many reasons for doing something, but only one will to do it. (Read more about the subtle differences between purpose, vision, mission, and values by clicking on this sentence.)
Need further proof of the singular nature of purpose? The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary doesn’t provide a plural for purpose. Purpose is inherently singular.
For example, here is an excerpt from a devotional I read today, “God
will provide the necessary circumstances to accomplish His purposes in
your life.” This is incorrect because of the plural use of the word. God has one purpose for your life, and, yes, he will arrange the circumstances. To push the point just a bit further, let’s replace purposes with the word will. This is a more accurate description of the usage. God has one will, not a plurality of wills.
Reason and purpose are frequently interchanged. Life purpose is a person’s one reason for being or raison d’etre. Purpose in lieu of reason is an appropriate, but a less effective word choice. Purpose is deeply about one’s intention or will. I appreciate that one can have many reasons for doing something, but there is one intention. To be otherwise is to be double-minded or confused. That is the very challenge purpose clarifies for you. You can’t have purposes or be on-purposes. The logic and semantics don’t support the concept of purpose – plural.
Avoid getting caught up in this sloppiness of use. Strike the non-word purposes from your vocabulary. Purpose is a truly special and remarkably powerful word as applied to one’s life purpose. Seek the singleness of strength of being of one mind, body, and spirit and you will be on-purpose.
Your comments are always invited.
Be On-Purpose!
Kevin
Listen for free to a 23 minute radio interview (MP3) with Kevin W. McCarthy by James Burkhardt on radio station WORL in Orlando. James asks great questions regarding business matters for small and medium sized companies. Join James and Kevin on Focus Orlando Radio Show as they talk about marketing, people, financing, target audiences, and business growth. Learn how to do business on-purpose.
Recorded on May 10, 2008
Today is Labor Day in the USA. Ironically, it is a day when many of us have the day off from work and the kids are out of school. According to Wikipedia, Labor Day began as "a street parade to exhibit to the public ‘the strength and esprit de
corps of the trade and labor organizations,’ followed by a festival for
the workers and their families."
Let’s take the occasion, however, to look at the very nature of our labor and its meaning. The concept of work is vitally misunderstood in many corners of the economy and culture.
For those of us who view work as an expression of one’s calling and difference making, work conjures positive feelings and robust expression of who we are. For many others the concept of work elicits harsh bondage and dependence on the whim of their boss. Still, there are some who would wash away all work and settle for a life of recreation and parties. So what view of work works?
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