I recently had a rubbish Sunday morning. The rain was lashing, Wuthering Heights style, across my windows and over the broken guttering, sending water pouring down the side of my house. Not good.
I headed out for a reinvigorating coffee. It was freezing and the wind whipped around me. Head down. Determined. I tried to do some mindfulness as I walked along the grey street.
Yes, yes, a blue door there. A winter flower there. A sound of a motorbike there.
Nope. Not working. I was just going through the motions.
Then, a couple of things happened when I got home.
One – I spotted I’d got a 5* review on AirBnB from the Italian couple who’d been staying in my house.
And Two – I spent two hours writing my book for mission-driven leaders.
I’ve had three false starts with the book. First time around, I realised I was writing the wrong book! Then there was just too much else going on. And on my last attempt, I lost my confidence in what I was doing and gave up.
But this time, I got right into it. And it was a joy.
These two events turned things around. I had the best day. I felt uplifted and excited. I enjoyed myself. I got things done.
Why?
Because they are both about purpose with a Capital P. When I connected with my purpose, things happened!
Do you relate?
I know what it’s like for leaders working for positive change in the world
Yep. The big scenario is rubbish, if not downright scary.
The Tech bros. Trump playing with the world as if it’s his own personal toy box. Disappointing actions from new leaders in the UK.
I know it can feel as though there just aren’t enough people, just isn’t enough money, and not enough time to do all the things you want to achieve.
I know how hard it is to lift your head up out of the day-to-day and remind yourself why you do what you do. It’s there of course, in the background. But perhaps it feels more of a bashing around the head to get on with it, than an inspiration?
I hear this a lot with my coaching clients.
The CEO of a small environmental charity is furious with herself that she didn’t start more strategic fundraising earlier – she’s going to be losing great people at this rate. But she’s just had so much on her plate!
My fabulous clients are frequently bogged down in the day-to-day, the weeds, the detail. It’s so frustrating for them.
What they want to do is lift their heads up, remember where they’re heading and think big.
Keeping in touch with your Purpose is a big deal
It’s really not easy when the operational is so full-on.
When my guests gave me a 5* review, it reminded me that I’m giving these visitors joy they might not otherwise have had. I’m not charging a lot (they told me I was undercharging for such a lovely place) but I’m honouring my purpose, now that my girls have gone to uni, to bring new connections in and to create a welcoming haven in what can be an unfriendly London.
And the writing? It was pure purpose. I want to encourage leaders to find their unique way to lead in the face of all the shite in the world. To see that view of things differently, even. This is my purpose. This is what I’m here to do.
But what with my to-do lists and pressures, I can lose sight of that deep purpose of mine.
What about you?
Is that true for you as well?
If so, here’s some ideas for how you can bridge what’s going on right now and connect back with your higher purpose.
Routes to reconnect with purpose with a capital P
1. How about taking time with your whole team to reconnect back together with why you do what you do – the big over-arching mission of your organisation? When was the last time you did that? Ideally, you want it to be in a dedicated session with some genuine space – a monthly meeting or an Awayday or a weekend, even. Wouldn’t that be fabulous?
This is not a luxury. To do their best work, your team members need to know where they’re all going and where they fit in. They need to know their purpose. (Top Action to support that – Revisit Simon Sinek’s ‘Start with Why’ Ted Talk. Everything really does start with ‘Why?’!)
2. And for you, how will you reconnect with yours? Maybe you can’t manufacture 5* reviews but you can invite your three most ‘raving fans’ to share with you what is absolutely great about you! I do this with my clients and it’s always an insightful and moving moment.
You have my full permission not to be looking for a balanced view. What you’re after is a boost of encouragement and a reminder of the unique ‘you’ that you are and what you bring to your mission.
3. A morning spent ploughing through your ‘to-do’ list is unlikely to connect you back with your purpose, sadly. Sorry. It’s a tough truth but this is so often where leaders are. No wonder you can feel so demoralised.
But – is there any way you can gift yourself (and in doing so, your organisation and your mission) a couple of protected hours on a more big-thinking, creative project which genuinely brings you joy. You’ll have to find this time very consciously because there will always be more urgent tasks to do.
But when you do, it’s way more likely to get you back in touch with your purpose than another 10 items ticked off the list. And from there, well, anything is possible!
4. I can help you with all of this. Talk to me about Relight My Fire coaching for leaders who’ve been in role for a while. It will put fire in your belly again and reconnect you right back with your purpose.
Drop me a line at Katie@Katieduckworth.com or fill in the query form. I’ll get right back to you.
