Emotional Intelligence At Work: Your Purpose? Look Over Your Shoulder

Still searching for your purpose?

No, I don't mean your goal or what you aspire to, I mean your reason for being. I meet lots of folks who are searching for meaning and purpose. Many think it will come in the form of the perfect career or business, or in finding their "calling." If you are looking "out there" for fulfillment, you are looking in the wrong direction. Try looking over your shoulder.

Purpose: Not One But Two

You have not one purpose but two - permanent and present. Your permanent purpose is to become self-realized - to learn, grow and fully occupy your authentic self. Your present purpose is the way you express you talents and abilities in service to others, right now. (More on this in my upcoming book True You)

Look Over Your Shoulder

One way to recognize your present purpose is to look over your shoulder to see where you came from and what you have already been doing. Ask yourself: "In what way have I consistently used my strengths or abilities to help others?

Tony Madone didn't fully recognize his purpose until he looked over his shoulder.
As a boy his father taught him both masonry and farming. The boy knew then that his life would not be that of a mason. By the time he was 6, he knew his life would be lived in the soil. He was, he says, born to farm.

But until just a few years ago, he didn't really know why. Now he heads a non-profit organization providing food to those in need. "Sometimes," he said quietly, "people fall on hard times and it's not their doing. I have this talent to farm, to grow things. And now I know why."

Last year his organization, Colorado Farm to Table grew 108,288 pounds of food. In the hopper were 80,172 ears of sweet Olathe corn, some 20,000 zucchini and yellow and acorn squash, and about 4,000 heads of cabbage and broccoli. And then, after days and nights of back-breaking labor, they gave it all away. Link: The Denver Post - Farmer harvests bumper crop of generosity.

Tony always knew what he loved and what he was good at and now he recognizes how his purpose is fulfilled. You can do the same. And no, you don't necessarily have to give away your services. But you may discover, when you take a look, how what you do fulfills you and the best way to express your ability. Tony Madone just started giving food away because for him it was the right thing to do. The money to continue just keeps showing up.

I was deeply touched when i read about Tony. I admire his courage and his integrity. He inspires me to worry less about how it is all going to work out and put my energy into what is purposeful for me. How about you?

Look over your shoulder. Do more of what is right and...True You.

Joseph Liberti

Copyright 1998-2007 Joseph Liberti.All rights reserved. Joseph Liberti coaches leaders and coaches to liberate authentic self through the development of emotional intelligence. Feel free to copy and distribute this article as long as you keep this credit. For more tips on developing emotional intelligence visit Joseph's other blog Emotional Intelligence At Work Questions and comments are welcome at jliberti@gmail.com