The Power of Purpose
Purpose is the reason for which something is done or for which something exists.
Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Macau
Purpose is the reason for which something is done or for which something exists.
That something, could be a someone, as many have pondered the purpose of their path.
I’m going to share with you an old parable that’s been attributed to architect Christopher Wren and used by many, including management consultant Peter Drucker.
Here’s my interpretation of it.
One day a traveller came across three workers on a worksite.
Having travelled from a different country, he did not know what they were doing.
He approached the first worker and asked, “Excuse me, can you please tell me what you are doing?”
The first worker, stopped his work and wearily replied, “I’m cutting stone to make a living. I’m working hard to feed my family”.
The traveller moved on to the second worker, and asked the same question.
This worker kept on hammering and replied, “I’m a stonecutter and I’m working to become the best stonecutter in the entire county.”
The traveller then moved to the third worker and asked him the same question.
The worker looked up with a gleam in his eye and smiled saying,
_“I’m building a cathedral.”_
The three workers, at the same site, with the same task, with three very different perspectives about their work. These perspectives reveal how each viewed their purpose.
Let’s use a real life example, a common one, let’s say, education.
A person with the first level of purpose might say, I want to pass and finish school.
A person with the second level of purpose could say, I want to be the best student at my school or state or country.
And then there’s Malala Yousafzai.
In 2008, she was denied the right to education, and as a result, she became an activist for girls’ education.
Malala’s purpose is to create for a world where every girl can learn and lead.
Malala’s story is amazing, one I strongly recommend you check out at Malala.org
Your purpose will determine your success in life.
I challenge you to reflect and to understand your purpose.
Live a purposeful life, live a wonderful life.
Photo credit:
Ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Macau
Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash