Bleh or Inspired? Purpose Matters.

Do you want people to feel “meh” or “inspired!” when hearing about your passions?

Purpose matters.

I recently went from feeling meh to inspired in just a couple of (hot morning) hours!

“What’s the purpose of this orchard?” I asked the regular volunteer as we were cutting Fire Blight out of apple trees.  She volunteers weekly while it was a one-off for me. She shrugged her shoulders as she replied, “I don’t really know.”

Immediately, I felt “meh” and thought of the other thousands of things I could be doing instead.

Later (I did stay the whole time), I asked the Executive Director about the purpose. He excitedly started sharing about the correlation between the number of trees and rising temperatures. He said that plot of land was originally just grass that County employees had to mow. He approached the County and proposed they grow trees, specifically fruit trees, which would have a positive impact on rising temperatures or at least offset the trees being cut down for development. He knew the purpose! The trees that I had just pruned were making a difference in climate change! And, the fruit would be given out in food baskets! Double purpose!

I left inspired! I drove home dreaming of planting more trees in my yard.

Purpose matters.

Understanding why you do what you do and being able to share it with others makes a difference.

Clarity of purpose is a foundational trait of strong leaders. Do you know yours?

Join me on Friday, September 22 at 3:00-4:30 EST to get clear on your purpose. Remember, purpose matters. Register here: https://www.riverstonerising.com/permission-to-pause-retreat .