Your Purpose and Vision

It may be time for a rethink

I just returned from an event celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the start of a program in which I taught during the 1970s-90s. What impressed me most was what students had accomplished in the years since they graduated. I wondered how many of them would have predicted their success or even what they would be doing today. I’m sure many of them would have been far less anxious back then had they known where their careers would take them.

As a group, these are smart, driven and capable people who care about others and want to contribute to the greater good in addition to reaching the top of the ladder. It’s not surprising that they did well. Any organization would benefit from having them. Still, many of them are worried about the future. They see challenges ahead for younger people, our society and the planet. During the event, they spent a lot of time thinking about how they could use their collective wisdom and experience to make a difference. Even though a few are advanced in age, they are prepared to rethink their vision and purpose to make the most of the years ahead.

If you have made it to the C-suite, board or even to the exalted post of CEO, take a moment to look back at what it took to make it and congratulate yourself. You are in rarified company and despite whatever doubts and misgivings you may still harbor in your most challenging moments, remember that there are few as qualified as you to handle whatever it is that you are facing. Whether you succeed or fail isn’t guaranteed but your chances are better than most.

As you reflect, think about the vision and purpose you set for yourself early on. You may not have had a clear vision and purpose as you set out on your professional journey. Like many, you may have let experience carry you along, seizing opportunities as they appeared. You may be surprised by your success, never having intended to wind up where you are.

Or, you may have been crystal clear from day one, fighting for and winning assignments that prepared you to take the next step and the next until you reached your ultimate goal. However you arrived at your current place in life, it wasn’t purely by luck. Dedication and talent played a significant if not determining part.

Many of the executives I coach are pleased with their success but concerned about whether it will continue, and in some cases, whether they want it to. Those who found success early on through intense work and sacrificing a normal existence often come to a place of questioning what they want next in life. A surprising number mention giving back, often in the form of teaching, so that younger people might benefit from some of their insights about strategies that worked and mistakes to avoid. Certainly, many serve on boards so that they can continue to contribute and also maintain a sense of connection and purpose.

Whether you plan to work for years to come or are thinking about shifting to a different gear, having a vision and purpose remains important. Plodding along doing the same thing or drifting aimlessly doesn’t bring happiness. Intention and challenge create meaning. You are a different person than you were when you started your career and even since you attained your current position. A lot has changed, personally and professionally. Your resume gives you permission to play in spaces where doors were not open previously and your network has expanded to include many who can assist you in figuring out the best ways to use your talent going forward at the pace and in the places you desire.

Even if you intend to stay put because your current work isn’t finished, it could be time to rethink either your role or your approach. Many CEOs have stepped into the role of chair, in part to allow them more time to think and contribute strategically. The chair role need not be just a precursor to retirement; it can be a very meaningful time to shape the future of the organization for the better. If it’s too early to consider that, as CEO or even as an executive, take time to step back and give some thought to the best possible use of your time for the foreseeable future. Pull yourself out of the constraints and routines that define your life today and ask yourself, “What might I do that could really make a difference in something I care about?” Delegate responsibilities if necessary to allow you to set some new goals for yourself and align your time and energy accordingly.

If you are wondering how to create a vision and purpose that is truly meaningful and inspiring, I recommend reading Cameron Herold’s book, Vivid Vision or watching a few of his videos. The process he recommends is rigorous, including enlisting the help of someone you trust to act as a sounding board so that you don’t get lost in your own thoughts. As he suggests, figuring out your life and work isn’t a back of the envelope exercise; it takes time and effort. What you want in the end is something that you feel makes the best possible use of you, while also making you happy, which is something many executives thought they needed to set aside as they climbed the ladder or fulfilled their obligations to others. If this feels like a guilty pleasure, remind yourself that you only have one life and you’ve worked hard to earn the right to live the next part of it in the manner you choose.

Here’s the thing that’s important to remember. Those alumni from the program who adjusted their life purpose are making a bigger positive difference than they could ever have imagined. The world is a better place because they are doing what they decided to do. While they are proud of what they have accomplished, they should be even prouder of what they have yet to achieve. All of your work, the reputation you have built, the wealth you have accumulated, the wisdom you have gained and the connections you have made are like energy stored in a fully charged battery. They have positioned you to take on the world; you just have to decide what you want to do next.

Our life’s work doesn’t need to come to a close with a gradual winding down. It can be a time of tremendous challenge and fulfillment. Whether you are just starting out, mid-career or about to step out of your role, it’s good to revisit your purpose and vision for the future. Things might turn out well for you anyway, but a little intention could open some exciting possibilities.