Power of Purpose

Gordon B. Hinckley was an international religious leader who deeply inspired millions of people.  He wrote: 

Believe in yourself. Believe in your capacity to do great and good things… You are a child of God, of infinite capacity. 

What would have happened to our country if Abraham Lincoln hadn’t chosen to believe in himself?  

He chose to believe that he could become the architect and builder of his own happiness.  He never felt entitled.  

Abraham Lincoln had challenges.   He encountered tragedy early and throughout his life. He experienced great trials, failures, weaknesses, and overwhelming depression.  

His friends said he felt like committing suicide often.  

At the age of nine, he lost his mother. He and his eleven-year-old sister were left alone for months in the cabin while his father returned to Kentucky to find a new wife. The children had little to eat other than dried berries. A neighbor checked in on the children. They were terribly skinny, filthy, and the house was in terrible condition.

At 19, he lost his best friend and older sister, Sarah.  She has been more than a sister.  She was a mother who cared for him.  

Abraham fell in love with Ann Rutledge. She died of a fever – possibly typhoid. Her death was devastating. 

Later he lost a job, lost his son, couldn’t get into law school, failed in business, went bankrupt, lost his sweetheart, had a nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months, was defeated for the State Legislature, Congress, the U.S. Senate (twice), and the Vice President.  

Despite his failure and setbacks, Abraham chose to believe in himself and endure.  

President Lincoln became one of the greatest presidents in the United States.  His trials and failures prepared him to the core to be able to weather the storms ahead. He led the nation out of the Civil War – the most dangerous crisis our country has encountered. He helped the country to embrace higher values and begin the process of ridding itself of the evil sin of slavery.

There are four important considerations to examine to help you discover your sweet spot and your purpose – so you make an optimal decision. 

Power of purpose 

There are four important considerations to examine to help you discover your sweet spot and your purpose – so you make an optimal decision. 

• Who do you want to become? 
• What are your noble passions? 
• What are your natural talents and strengths? 
• Where are there needs?

When you find a niche that aligns with each of the four critical factors above—you are uncovering your ideal sweet spot and purpose.

Power of purpose

Once you recognize that you can shape your life, the most important question becomes:

“Who do I want to become?”
Your career should never define you, but it influences your daily life and opportunities. Aligning your work with your purpose creates harmony and fulfillment.

Follow Your Deepest Yearnings
Just as migratory animals follow an inner compass, you have a spiritual and emotional compass—your yearnings.

A true yearning is an intense longing for something noble and meaningful. Many people lose touch with these yearnings because of fear, shame, or external pressure. But they can be rekindled.

Your yearnings point toward your purpose.

Your noble passions are the values and causes that stir your soul. They give your life meaning and fuel your desire to contribute.

Viktor Frankl’s Insight
In Nazi concentration camps, Viktor Frankl discovered that survival wasn’t determined by strength or health—it was determined by purpose.

Those who endured had something to live for: a person, a mission, a vision of the future.

Frankl wrote:

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms—to choose one’s own attitude… to choose one’s own way.”

Your noble passions reveal what you are willing to sacrifice for, fight for, and dedicate your life to.

The strength of purpose

Power of purpose

Most people spend more time fixing weaknesses than developing strengths. But your greatest impact comes from your natural talents—especially when you invest in them.

How to Identify Your Talents

Ask yourself:

• Yearning: What activities are you naturally drawn to?
  
• Satisfaction: What brings you genuine joy and motivation?
  
• Rapid Learning: What do you pick up quickly?
  
• Glimpses of Excellence: When have you surprised yourself?
  
• Timelessness: What makes you lose track of time?

To make a living, you also need to focus on needs that are in the marketplace.  What position or business align with your sweet spot and will best provide you with the income to support you and your family?  

The Department of Labor has created excellent tools to help people learn about different careers and businesses and see what’s in demand. They provide the aids referred to below: 

• Career profiles: This enables you to see details for up to 950 careers. You can learn what people do on the job, see how much they earn, review the employment outlook, and discover education and training needs. See career profiles. 
• Career videos: These videos detail occupational tasks, work settings, and education requirements. See career videos. 
• What’s hot: This information helps you to see what careers are growing and declining in your area. See what’s hot. 
• Compare occupations: You can select two occupations at a time and compare salaries, skill requirements, and education. Compare occupations. 
• Research industries: You can view the fastest-growing, declining, and highest-paying industries. Research industries. 

Click here to learn more

Power of purpose