Don’t worry; this story does have a happy ending.
Just over 6 months ago, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer— you may know it as the reason the NFL wears pink from time to time.
Cancer is an ugly word for me. I lost both of my parents to it. It’s the kind of word I prefer to hear about in an awareness campaign, or in a list of statistics, but not when I’m face to face with a doctor.
Having cancer take another of my loved ones would have been a struggle (to say the least), but thankfully my wife pulled through— she beat the disease. The tumor’s been removed and my wife just finished her radiation treatment.
But during the stress of it all, I couldn’t help my reevaluate my own life. My life, my values, mission and goals.
If I were laying on my deathbed right now and looking back at my life, how would I have done? Did I really accomplish everything I was supposed to? Everything I dreamed I would? Did I live up to my full potential?
Did I live up to my True Purpose?
Your True Purpose
Some of us believe we were placed here for a reason. Some believe we’re a random accident, a cosmic coincidence. Whatever the case, there’s no denying that some of us driven to achieve goals that are bigger than ourselves.
I like to call these goals, our True Purpose.
If you’ve spent time evaluating your life’s direction, you’ll see it hiding beneath the surface. The guiding principle that influences your actions and motivates you to achieve great things.
In fact, if you’re one of these driven people who know where they’re headed, I believe you’re in a powerful group of people who stand to make the biggest impact on the world.
For me, a large part of my calling revolves around helping high achievers succeed, particularly within my own own company. At MaxCDN, I spend a great deal of time and energy mentoring and pushing our team members to succeed. I feel it’s important to help these individuals (and others) grow by sharing things I’ve learned along my own journey. It’s why I write these blog posts, it’s why I network with other driven individuals, it’s why I work so hard to motivate others to seize their full potential.
As an entrepreneur, it’s essential to find a similar passion within yourself.
If you already understand your ‘why’, your True Purpose, ask yourself: are you closer to that goal every day? Are your actions a reflection of your Purpose?
And if not, make a change.
Quit your job! Find your calling. In German the word ‘job’ does not exist. The word they use is ‘Beruf’, which comes from the word ‘berufung’, meaning calling.
Don’t work a job because it pays the bills. Instead, spend every day taking action on your calling. When you find your calling, your ‘why’, your True Purpose… everything becomes easy.
As Confucius put it, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
If you haven’t seen the Simon Sinek video on starting with your “why” I’d encourage you to do so right now. His ideas apply come from the position of business, but as you watch this video, think about how you can apply them to your own life.
It shouldn’t take a life-altering moment like my wife’s cancer struggles to push all of us to look closely at our lives. What is your True Purpose?
