Episode Transcript
[00:00:14] Hello and welcome to Imagine the Possibilities. My name is Skip Pogue and I'm happy you decided to listen this podcast.
[00:00:22] The title Driven with Purpose. And I'm going to take some time and explore how we can align our energy with what matters. I believe that doing this is important and it will truly help us on our journey through life.
[00:00:38] Before we dive in, I want to talk a bit about purpose and what it really means.
[00:00:44] First, purpose isn't just a part of some lofty mission statement or even a career goal.
[00:00:52] It's the underlying reason behind the way we live, the way we work, and the way we connect with others.
[00:01:01] It's that inner compass that helps us make choices that feel right, not just from the outside, but deep down inside.
[00:01:13] When our drive and our purpose are aligned, that's when we begin to live in a way that's not only productive, but but really fulfilling.
[00:01:23] That doesn't mean we all need to quit our jobs and chase some perfect calling. For many of us, we have responsibilities.
[00:01:31] We need to work, we need to pay the bills, and we need to take care of our families.
[00:01:36] Here's something I've learned. Even within the job we already have or the life we're already living, we can uncover our purpose.
[00:01:49] Maybe it's how we show up for others.
[00:01:51] Maybe it's the way we lead or serve or solve problems.
[00:01:57] Sometimes purpose isn't about what we do. It's about how or why we do it.
[00:02:03] Today, we're not searching for some perfect role.
[00:02:08] We're simply looking for alignment.
[00:02:11] I remember when I was working on the assembly line at IBM.
[00:02:15] At that time, I honestly felt like I was living out my purpose.
[00:02:19] I was contributing, I was growing and I was learning.
[00:02:25] But deep down, I also knew it was part of a bigger journey. I felt potential stirring in me like I was on the right path. But I had a yearning to move forward in my journey.
[00:02:38] It wasn't until years later, when I began teaching classes to help others become better in their personal, professional, or spiritual lives, that everything clicked.
[00:02:49] That's when I truly discovered my purpose.
[00:02:52] It wasn't just about work.
[00:02:54] I realized I was meant to be an encourager, to teach people and to help others grow.
[00:03:02] I understood not just where I was going, but why I was going there.
[00:03:08] As we start to uncover our purpose, we start to feel more confident that we're on the right path, even if we don't know exactly where it's going.
[00:03:19] My hope is that you leave today's episode with more clarity and encouragement about your own journey.
[00:03:27] Let's Start with the basics. What's really driving us?
[00:03:31] A lot of us are driven by the need to succeed, to be seen or to prove something to ourselves.
[00:03:38] Sometimes proving something to ourselves can is really important to us.
[00:03:44] Maybe it's fear of failure, maybe it's comparison, or maybe it's just momentum. We've been moving so fast for so long, we never stop to ask why.
[00:03:56] And sometimes we chase a vision of success that's never truly ours.
[00:04:02] I can tell you from experience, and I talked about this in an earlier podcast.
[00:04:07] I once believed that to be successful, I had to become a manager. No way around it, I had to become a manager. I set out following that track. The promotions, the titles, the upward ladder.
[00:04:22] And those things felt good at the time.
[00:04:26] But deep down, I didn't fully understand what success really meant for me.
[00:04:33] It wasn't until I started doing things that I was genuinely passionate about, things that aligned with my values, that everything shifted.
[00:04:42] I found energy I didn't know I had. I found drive that didn't burn me out.
[00:04:49] Here's something that I think is true.
[00:04:51] I don't believe there's a ladder to success.
[00:04:54] However, I do believe that there's a road to success.
[00:04:59] Think about pictures you've seen of a ladder to success.
[00:05:03] You're not on it alone. There's people in front of you and there's people behind you.
[00:05:09] And sometimes some of those people don't have a lot of integrity.
[00:05:14] They're more than willing to step on your fingers or even kick you or pull down your feet trying to dislodge them from the ladder.
[00:05:24] They don't care how they get to the top.
[00:05:28] They don't care who they hurt. They simply want to make it. They want to be successful, whatever the cost.
[00:05:37] Now, when we talk about a road to success, sometimes our road will feel like a super speedway.
[00:05:44] Other times it may be like a interstate highway.
[00:05:49] Oftentimes, we find ourselves on a two lane road.
[00:05:53] Many of the roads we have to take on our journey to success have turns, forks, rest stops, and even a few dead ends.
[00:06:04] It's not always about going fast.
[00:06:07] It's really about finding your own route, your own rhythm, your own journey.
[00:06:14] So ask yourself today, what's driving me?
[00:06:19] Is it alignment?
[00:06:21] Or am I simply on autopilot?
[00:06:24] Here's the thing about defining our purpose. Purpose doesn't have to be grand.
[00:06:30] It doesn't have to be a calling written in the stars.
[00:06:34] Sometimes purpose is simply doing something that feels right, something that matters, something that reflects on who we really are.
[00:06:45] If you're trying to define your purpose, here's a few simple questions to reflect on.
[00:06:52] When do you feel most like yourself?
[00:06:56] What kind of activity or work makes you feel alive?
[00:07:02] What do people consistently come to you for?
[00:07:06] Your answers might not reveal a five year plan, but they'll start you pointing you in the right direction.
[00:07:14] And if your answer to why is simply to provide for my family, my wife and kids, I want you to hear this clearly.
[00:07:23] That's a beautiful and meaningful purpose.
[00:07:27] It shows love, responsibility and commitment to something beyond yourself.
[00:07:34] But even with that as your foundation, there might be more to discover.
[00:07:40] Start asking questions like what kind of example do I want to set for my family?
[00:07:46] Or what do I want my kids to think about me, not just as a provider, but as a person?
[00:07:53] Those reflections might lead you to realize that part of your purpose is to model kindness, perseverance, creativity, or faith.
[00:08:04] Yes, providing is powerful. And through that act, there may be even deeper threads of purpose waiting to be noticed.
[00:08:12] And here's something important.
[00:08:15] Your purpose can evolve.
[00:08:18] What matters Most to you 10 years ago May not be what fuels you today.
[00:08:23] And that's okay. Think about that a minute.
[00:08:27] You have this lofty purpose and you're aligned with it. But as time goes on, you've changed. Maybe your job's even changed. So you have to continue to redefine your purpose.
[00:08:42] Like I've said with so many other things, purpose is a journey. It's not a destination.
[00:08:50] You don't have to know the whole picture to take the next step.
[00:08:54] Trust yourself and follow the direction that feels most honest for you.
[00:09:01] Here's the thing.
[00:09:03] Once you've got a sense of your purpose, then the question becomes, how do I live it?
[00:09:11] Living with purpose isn't about having everything figured out.
[00:09:15] It's about making small, intentional choices that align with who you are and what matters to you.
[00:09:25] Here are some things that help keep that alignment in check.
[00:09:30] Start your day with intention.
[00:09:33] Ask yourself, what do I want to accomplish today?
[00:09:37] Now, it may be as simple as one thing that you want to accomplish. And in reality, if you're just starting out and you're working on your purpose and you know what it is, maybe that's all you need to do for a short period of time. Baby steps Just take and define one thing that you want to accomplish today. Now you may truly accomplish 15 things.
[00:10:02] But if you accomplish that one thing, you're successful for the day.
[00:10:09] I'm trying to think of the guy's name.
[00:10:12] He wrote a book called make youe Bed and I've read that book. And I actually took his first thing, make your bed to heart.
[00:10:22] And so I make my bed every morning.
[00:10:27] And I've discovered he's right.
[00:10:29] I've accomplished something before I've even walked out the door. And I feel good about it. Just find those things that help you align with your purpose. Let's say that make you align with what matters that day.
[00:10:48] Next thing is pause during your day and check in and ask yourself, am I acting out of habit or am I acting because somebody or something has put a lot of pressure on me?
[00:11:02] Or am I actually acting out cause of my purpose?
[00:11:07] Make decisions that reflect your values even when they're hard.
[00:11:13] And I know we've all faced that. We have a certain value and we don't want to not honor that.
[00:11:22] So we make a decision.
[00:11:24] And it may be hard or it may not be the most popular decision, but we stick with it.
[00:11:32] Purpose doesn't always roar.
[00:11:35] A lot of times it whispers.
[00:11:38] It shows up in quiet moments.
[00:11:41] It's how we treat people, how we handle stress, or how we show up when nobody's watching.
[00:11:51] So don't wait for some big breakthrough. Start with what's in front of you.
[00:11:55] Start with what feels real to you.
[00:12:00] As I wrap up today's episode, I want to leave you with this thought.
[00:12:06] You don't have to be everything to everyone.
[00:12:10] You don't have to chase titles or prove your worth by how fast or how far you climb.
[00:12:17] What you do need is reason to get up each day, and. And that reason needs to feel meaningful for you.
[00:12:24] So today, ask yourself not just what you're doing, but why you're doing it.
[00:12:31] That why is your compass. And when your drive lines up with your purpose, you'll not only go further, you'll go in peace.
[00:12:43] As always, I wish you much success.
[00:12:47] Remember that your future belongs to you.
[00:12:50] Stay humble, be kind, love unconditionally, and laugh often.
[00:12:56] I hope that you have a super day, and I pray that God blesses you in a super way.
[00:13:03] Thanks again and God bless Sat.
