Kevin W. McCarthy

The Professor of On-Purpose

life purpose

Confused About Finding Your Life Purpose?

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Knowing one’s purpose in life seems like it should be a relatively easy endeavor.

Yet for far too many of us the search for meaning continues to elude our best intentions and pursuit. Having been at this work of helping individuals and organizations define purpose since the 1980s, there are common statements I hear. These misstatements create misdirection. They tend to cause repeating and nonresolving patterns that kill time but don’t give a deep sense of satisfaction.

1. “I don’t know what to do with my life.” This statement is a clear indication to me that this person isn’t looking for purpose. They’re looking for “what to do” not “who to be.” Mission is being thought about, not purpose, per se. Knowing one’s purpose would be informative and helpful to answer the question. In short, if you’re looking for the wrong thing then it is unlikely you’ll find what you need even if you actually find it. You won’t be able to recognize it.

The greatest offender of this is the book The Purpose Driven Life by Pastor Rick Warren. The book is a great devotional, but it is really more a message of missions. The more accurate name for the book would have been The Mission Driven Life because the book is helping people figure out what to do with their lives much more than it is helping people knowing why they exist.

2. “I don’t know where to start.” The absence of a process or method is very typical of purpose seekers. They’re susceptible to anything or anyone who uses the word purpose because they have no basis for understanding it.

3. “I feel like there is a calling upon my life, but I can’t put my finger on my purpose.” Purpose and calling are often confused. Calling is a high and noble expression of purpose. Purpose is deeper and actually apart from or exclusive from calling. Purpose stands on its own, whereas calling needs purpose to give it “spiritual juice.”

4. “I feel like I’ve missed my chance at my purpose.” Wrong! Purpose doesn’t pass us by like a bus. We are our purpose. It is always with us. We were born with it, we live with it, we die with it, and we take it into eternity with us. Purpose is our spirit so we can’t separate ourselves from it, but we can ignore or deny it.

The On-Purpose Approach found in The On-Purpose Person provides both the methods and standards for discerning and defining your purpose, vision(s), mission(s), and values. We offer one-on-one personal purpose coaching as well.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel about life purpose.

For over 20 years we’ve helped thousands of people write their 2-word purpose statement and develop the life and career plans they need to excel. As I reference in the video, we just need you to be the “you” who you were designed to be and become. We’ll help you.

Be On-Purpose!
Kevin

P.S. A big thank you to Justin Ramb, CEO/Chief Creative Officer of BIG EYE Agency. He invited me to participate in their BIG Thinkers series and produced this video. They did wonderful work. Thank you!

Psst! Here’s a tip. Check out www.onpurpose.me to discover how you can know your purpose.

How Good Is Your Life Plan?

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Be honest with yourself … do you know how to make a life plan?

Do you even have a plan?

Is it a written life plan?

My experience with clients and readers of The On-Purpose Person tells me very few people have any sort of a plan in place for their lives, especially a written plan. Sure, we have ideas and dreams that we ponder now and then, but to take it to the step of writing out a plan is very rare.

The process in The On-Purpose Person is a format and guide for creating a life plan that is very meaningful and gives you a strategic advantage in life.

Imagine a contractor attempting to build a house without blueprints. It makes no sense, yet many of us are building lives without the benefit of a plan.

Do you want a life plan?

Chances are you don’t know how to structure your life and process the information, so you haven’t created one. Here’s where one of our On-Purpose Personal Leadership Coaches might serve you well.

I have access to the all-time, world’s best planner. Drop me a line, briefly share your interest and the help you want. Perhaps you’ll want to meet him?

Be On-Purpose!
Kevin

The On-Purpose Person and Making Life Plans:

“Without a doubt this is the best guide I have seen for creating a meaningful life and plan.”
– Dr. Malcolm E. Hawley, DDS

“The On-Purpose Person is a valuable addition to an important and growing literature on effective time management and leadership. McCarthy brings to life and makes operational powerful ideas that will help all of us make a difference.”
– John W. Rosenblum, PhD, Dean Emeritus, The Darden School

“The best tool I’ve seen for turning good intentions into positive actions. Highly recommended for anybody, but especially for those who need a way to organize unstructured time—like clergy!”
– The Right Reverend William Frey,
Dean, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, retired

“What’s happened to the American Dream? Despite working harder, too many people lack fulfillment, happiness, and emotional security. The On-Purpose Person gets us back on track, organized around what really matters, and equipped with a purpose and plan for thriving in a rapidly changing world.”
– Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen, D.O.
Author, Dr. A’s The Habits of Health

“Reading The On-Purpose Person changed my life. The concepts and practical applications detailed in this wonderfully engaging book empowered me to re-focus my personal and professional goals to achieve true inner peace.”
– Gordie Allen
CEO & Professional Sales Trainer, Leads-Plus, Inc.

Do You Have a Funny View On-Purpose?

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Classic OP Minute from Nov. 17, 2009

Purpose statements are challenging to write.

Most who write them are confused about the basic concept and structure so the end product is flawed, often with humorous benefit. Some are just poking fun or trying to be funny.

In today’s On-Purpose® Minute I’ve culled from Twitter some “enlightening” points of view about the purpose of life. I hope you’ll find the wit and wisdom refreshingly entertaining.Two women laughing. Text states "Your purpose is what?"

To follow me on Twitter, I’m @kevinwmccarthy. For Twitter users, if you want to reference some on-purpose work, then please use #onpurpose.

Have you seen some funny thoughts about the purpose of life?

Please share them below.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Are You Thinking of Starting a Business?

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Economic tough times, job loss, greater expression, or the chance to be your own boss are just some of the reasons people start a business. The barriers to entry are relatively low and the opportunities for success often appear high.

The hurdles to success, however, are hidden at the start but invariably emerge. Be aware of what lies ahead and you increase your odds of winning.

Looking for some help with either starting or running your business?

On-Purpose Partners provides business advisory services. Our clients and customers have spanned from Founders and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies to wannabe entrepreneurs.

If your business is less than $2 million in sales, you can hire me to help you with our On-Purpose Executive Coaching.

Can’t afford much?

  • The On-Purpose Business Person is available in softcover or Kindle e-book.
  • The Service Model is an inexpensive tool to help you plan your business, anticipate what’s coming, and understand the relationships of one level of the business to the next. Order one, just one, because you can print more from the PDF.

Here’s the bottom line for your business start-up (or ongoing venture): invest the time to articulate your purpose, vision, missions, and values.

Until you know

  • who you are
  • why you are here
  • where you are going
  • and what’s important

you’re really at a major and costly strategic disadvantage.

When it comes to your small business start-up or ongoing enterprise, give yourself every advantage by being on-purpose.

 

How Do You Get the Job of Your Life?

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Note: This On-Purpose Minute first posted on Nov. 27, 2009, and remains relevant today to finding meaningful work.

This On-Purpose® Minute is geared toward helping you find meaningful work where you can be real, prosper, and make a difference regardless of your employment situation. For coaches, consultants, and solo owners — with some translation — what you learn here is also true for finding meaningful “client work.”

Recently, a corporate recruiter I met shared that for every job her company posts there are 300 applicants. In the face of such competition, how does one sparkle like a diamond?

It breaks my heart when I see job seekers playing the numbers game of firing out resumes and job posting on bulletin boards for any job opening there is. While I agree that any income is better than no income, they are playing a very low percentage game that far too often produces a less than desirable Business like tennisoutcome for everyone involved. It is a poor investment of their time.

In this On-Purpose Minute, this “backward” approach is illustrated with the tennis balls as 3–2–1. Conforming oneself to fit the job may be an applicant’s sincere and hopeful effort, but it is generally an un-strategic and unproductive activity.

Chasing a paycheck and benefits while ignoring who you are, sells everyone short—especially you. It is likely you’ll too soon find yourself on the job turnover cycle unhappy, defensive, and shrinking in your role. The effect is a depreciation of who you are and a growing loss of confidence.

Instead, the 1–2–3 strategic plan builds upon the On-Purpose® Approach by beginning with your purpose (who you are and becoming) and then adds searching for the best places or opportunities for expression. Rather than a job, you’re looking for a position. A position is a proper fit, a launching pad, and a meaningful place where you can make a difference.

Yes, in searching for a position, it is demanding to have to think through who you are and what truly matters. It is even more demanding to do the research on employers where you are a better fit. And just because you’ve found what appears to be a great fit doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get hired. Admittedly, because of our investment in researching the company and position, the rejection stings all the more.

Despite all these hurdles and emotional risks, you’ll gain a lot. You’ll learn more about yourself and how to market and position yourself for a higher probability of success. You are more likely to make a positive impression and build a relationship that just might open the door to your next opportunity. Of course, the ultimate reward is finding a position where you are valued and expanding into your promise and possibilities. The effect is an appreciation of who you are.

If you must play this numbers game, don’t do it exclusively. Know who you are and target your search to your heart’s desire, your head’s understanding and vision, and your skill set.

Need some help sorting it all out? Check out MyWork-ONPURPOSE.com.

Here are some tips for positioning yourself for your next best employment situation:

  1. Know your 2-word purpose. Go to www.ONPURPOSE.me and in just a few minutes you’ll know your life purpose.
  2. To find the “job” of your life, your first job is your life. Be a personal leader of your life. Take responsibility for your attitude, appearance, and presentation. Have you written your personal purpose, vision, mission, and values? Given age appropriateness, do you really know who you are?
  3. Think in terms of how best you can help the employer accomplish their goals. For example, figure out ways that you can help your potential employer to: make or save money, grow sales, create a better working environment, improve customer service, or innovate.
  4. Use the Think Inc! mindset (read The On-Purpose Business Person). In other words, approach the open position as if it was a business, not a job. And you are the president of the business. For example, if you were applying to be a receptionist for a company, pretend that you are a “receptionist consultant” who comes in and looks for ways to improve the performance of the job so the company and people around you are benefited.
  5. Add value to the relationship. If in your research, you’ve found a potential employer that offers acceptable pay and benefits, then take the focus off of what you can get from the job and immediately look for ways where you can make a difference on the job. Oddly, this means you’re going into the process asking most of the questions instead of answering them. Uncover where you fit and can contribute.
  6. Have your LinkedIn profile up to date and written in such a way that it is a marketing piece, not a resume. Have a friend who actually hires lots of people review it and take their candid feedback about what works and doesn’t.
  7. When you find a target employer, research them. Go online and read their strategic statements of purpose, vision, mission, and/or values. Dig into their culture. Scan the Annual Report. Understand their strategic initiatives. Find the names of people who work in areas of your interest paying particular attention to VPs and Directors. Research their industry. Understand trends, jargon, terms, and what the hot topics are. Be knowledgeable, but don’t try to fake expertise or pretend you know more than you do.
  8. Leverage your social media connections like LinkedIn to find people who work in your target company. Don’t call or connect with them about needing a job. Instead, pick up the phone and say something like, “Can you offer me some insight about your company?” Listen for them to say yes or ask how. Then say, “I’m considering coming to work for your company. I want to know what kind of place it is to work for before I go any further with my position search.” Have a couple of company-specific questions to ask and then listen. For example, “Your annual report says you’re expanding your XYZ product lines into the ABC market. If you’re free to discuss it, what are the opportunities and challenges associated with this strategic move?” Another question: “Your online career center says your company offers ample training and upward mobility; please share with me, what has been your experience?” Create a sincere relationship, not a ploy to ask for a job. In fact, don’t ask for a job. Respectfully and politely ask for insight, guidance. If you make a great impression, you might have an internal champion. Close the call by asking for permission to call back again if you have more questions.
  9. Be bold, not brazen. Once you’ve determined through your research that you can truly add value to the company, then go in with confidence versus your hat in your hand desperate and begging for a job. Confidence matters. In your preparation, you’ve figured out how you can make a difference in their area of interest. Therefore, ask hard questions to confirm or adjust your understanding of your positioning.
  10. Express your sincere interest in the position backed up with genuine reasons why you fit their culture and strategy plus how you can contribute. For the receptionist example, “I’m very interested in the receptionist position because I can already see ways that I can organize and streamline the flow of people and information that comes in and out of the company front door. Meeting new people is something I love to do and just sitting in the lobby I could see the interesting mix of people who come to the business.”
  11. Have fun. Researching and learning about companies via their public and private personas is interesting. Remember there are no perfect companies so you’ll learn the good and the bad. Your knowledge is power.

So let me know how your “job search” goes.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Is Your Life Getting Better?

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Note: The video mentions an upcoming On-Purpose Leader Teleseminar. For this updated On-Purpose Minute, I instead want to refer you to the Power of Your 2-Word Purpose Statement webcast, linked below.

Are you or is someone dear to you the proverbial “victim of circumstances”? Don’t Be! A victim of circumstances is a person in an unfortunate position, but those circumstances need not dictate your future.

You may not be able to control your circumstances, but you can manage your responses. Resigning to your current set of circumstances can be negatively habit-forming and send you in a downward spiral. This response means that you’re on the fast track to becoming a victim, no longer of circumstances, but of self-inflicted circumstances.

Choose a better option. In this On-Purpose Minute, we’ll be looking at how you can order your life around a different, healthier perspective of managing your life.

Are you ready to finally know your purpose in life — in two words! Yes, your life will get a whole lot better by being on-purpose.

The Power of Your 2-Word Purpose Statement may be just the introduction for you to order your life, define what’s most important, and begin living as an on-purpose person in creation.

 

Purpose or Purposes

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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

Who Am I?

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Few questions haunt us as much as the "Who Am I?" question.  If you don’t know who you are, then the entirely to your life, despite your accomplishments, is lived under your potential.  Sobering thought, huh?

Within this blog, you’ll gain a clear and powerful answer to the "Who am I?" question and its companions that I call Life’s Great Questions.  Each is worthy of Great Answers, yet most of us are too busy to ask, let alone ponder and sufficiently answer each question.  Great Answers will transform your life forever.

Consider your answers to the following "Who Am I?" questions:

[Read more…] about Who Am I?