Clarity of Purpose: Why You Need It and How to Attain It
What, do you ask, is the most important thing we focus on in human performance and mindset training?
We believe the single most important factor in developing a resilient mindset is clarity of purpose. It drives us, moves us, and gives us legs to stand on when we face adversity. It gives us a mountain to climb (i.e. a “challenge”), which every human seeks. Clarity of purpose may be the single most important factor in a human life, period.
Honestly, it might be the key to unlocking “happiness” as a meta-focus; we’re able to grow towards something. This gives us optimism and keeps us from getting distracted. And guess what? Your “purpose” doesn’t have to be the same as anyone else’s. It can be whatever you find yourself called to do. It also changes over time, both on a daily basis and from a macro viewpoint.
Today, we’ll take a look at two different vantage points to define what finding clarity of purpose means, from developing day-to-day focus to aiming at bigger targets.
First, the macro lens. Some are fortunate to find a clarity of purpose at a very young age. Professional athletes, genius-level musicians, and extraordinary math minds are all examples of people who find a lifelong purpose to follow before they really consciously choose a “profession.” They just know; they have a knack for performance that exceeds their peers and they work relentlessly on this pursuit. This may also develop later in life; we at Live Better have found clarity of purpose in helping people use health and wellness as the driver to life live, better. This guides our many “how’s” and “what’s” as to achieving that purpose. Think of this as your “mission” — what will be your legacy?
If you’re struggling to find clarity of purpose on a macro level, try setting a self-improvement goal, and then breaking that down into smaller, sub-goals (see “micro lens” below).
Second, the micro lens. This constitutes your day-to-day focus; what is on your task list? Your purpose may be to do everything in your power to get your kids to college. Day to day, what do you do for them? Is it getting them to school (or, on their next Zoom call)? Driving them to practice? Working extra shifts to save money for that college dream? This drives our day-to-day actions to keep us moving. We don’t get the macro without the micro; we need daily action towards our bigger purpose. This is clarifying in and of itself; it gives us direction and keeps us focused. It can be a mantra which you repeat multiple times a day, simple reminders in your calendar, or having a third party keep you accountable.
To give you an example of how people get distracted from their purpose, take social media. How many times have you gone “off purpose” by looking at someone else’s path and tried to emulate them due to envy, FOMO, lack of direction, or simple distraction? Another example might be doing workouts that don’t fit your plan; they aren’t helpful to you, yet you do them anyway. What lacks is clarity of focus for that day. It’s like putting blinders on the horse; create a one-track vision and then go after it with intensity and concentration.
Clarity of purpose is what allows us to weather the storm that is life. Sometimes we’re in sunny weather and life is in flow; capitalize on this time and exponentially improve your position and happiness. Other times, however, we’re right in the way of a giant storm. We hit the first rough patch, get tricked by the eye of the storm, and then get hit with a second wave.
Clarity of purpose, both on a daily basis and on a macro level, drive us in the direction we ourselves know we need to go. It allows us to focus on our path, our journey, our skills and strengths, and amplify our uniqueness that makes us the person we are.
The “best day ever” is clarity of purpose. What can you do today that will make today the best day ever, and then repeat it every single day?
Check back next week for helpful strategies on finding this clarity whenever you need it.
