Two Words

The Power of Purpose

To have a purpose is to have something to live for.

When we lack a clear and consistent purpose, we are functionally and philosophically lost—our inner compass is broken. If our purpose has little hold on us, we will easily become distracted and ineffective. Consider this: a common war tactic is to distract the enemy from their primary assignment or purpose—and then take it from them. In many ways, this happens every day to those who lack a clear and compelling purpose.

Furthermore, a sustainable vision—and the goal steps leading there—are birthed from purpose. Visions and dreams often fail because they haven’t been cultivated from the deepest part of the soul. A good idea, after all, is not the same as conviction. Once purpose truly takes hold, vision and values follow naturally, adding dimension and texture to our lives.

The Role of Writing in Purpose

Writing is the hard work many leaders avoid. While reading is good, writing goes further. It helps you process your experiences and clarify how you choose to engage with the world around you.

Time is available—you just have to make it. Once you do, the question becomes: what do you write about?

You write about the kind of person you want to be. Reflect on what consistently captures your attention. Document your leadership convictions and values. Explore what you believe is right and wrong. Describe the culture you are building. And most importantly, keep writing—because it sharpens you. When you grow, everyone around you benefits.

Describe your Purpose in Two Words

It takes time, but eventually, you will be able to describe your purpose with just TWO WORDS. The first word ends with the letters -ING, and the second word is your object or focus. The -ING form shows the ongoing nature of your purpose. Additionally, you can (and should) write a sentence around these TWO WORDS, enveloping them into a purpose statement.

A well-developed purpose transcends context. This means that, regardless of your circumstances, you will still be able to exercise your purpose.

A Personal Example

My first attempt at this started in my late twenties while reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. My early writing efforts were terrible—but I never stopped trying. To this day, I continue to refine my thoughts.

The first edition of my TWO PURPOSE WORDS was INSPIRING FAITH. I’m a passionate person, and I’ve always enjoyed watching people work hard and succeed in whatever they do. I chose faith as my focus word because I am a person of faith, and I also believe it is the most important spiritual muscle we have.

Though I don’t use those exact TWO WORDS as much now, they still represent me well. I’ll share more next week.

Explore More Content

To jump right into it, here’s the next blog.

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