Finding Your Stage: Meaning, Purpose, and Mission in the Everyday.

I’ve always admired those who find clear meaning, purpose and mission in their careers. Those who selflessly serve others in any way they’re called to do. Those who have a deep passion and commitment staying true to a mission.

I confess to struggling with my career over the past decade. It’s hard to let go my inner idealist who wants to leave this world in better shape then when I got here.

I expected and tried to be on a purpose driven career path, yet never seemed to work out. I never had a single driving career passion.

At the same time, I always give thanks for my good fortune and the wonderful people surrounding me.

I finally resolved this inner conflict only recently. There were some outside forces that changed, but mostly it was self awareness to make some internal adjustments.

Rather than “find your passion”, instead, bring your passion to everything you do.

It was this statement that enabled me to rethink the definition of purpose.

Not every career or role, company or organization, will have a purpose of directly serving others for a greater cause.

What I expected my career “next chapter” turned out to be my life “next chapter” instead.

We can all find purpose to what we do and be ordinary people doing extraordinary things within our sphere of influence.

As a musician, I look it as we all have our own stage. In the case of performers, a literal stage that ranges from a local coffee shop to an arena.

Figuratively, we all have our own “stage” from small to large “venues” where we can contribute on our own level.

The main driver of this change is me giving myself permission to better define meaning, purpose, and mission. For me, it comes down to what I can do to serve others using my gifts, talents, and experiences in any way I’m called to do. That’s the key. Serving others means serving them for what they need, not what I perceive it to be. It’s doing the little things consistently and finding where I can contribute to serve others.

Re-Set, Re-Think, Re-Define, Re-Align, Re-Wire

Currently, my purpose is to lead my team and bring my unique gift as a catalyst to drive positive progress throughout our company. To be the person that listens, values and connects with everyone. I realized that I’ve had a great career that does make a difference, just not in the way I had envisioned.

When someone you first meet asks you, “what do you do?”. The immediate response is what we do for career. Although that’s important as we spend so much time at work, it doesn’t answer the more important question of “what do you do to serve others?”

Part of rethinking my purpose was to rethink my response to what I “do”. I now answer in some form of the following.

• I meet people on their own level and connect in any way I can by listening and being available to help if needed.

• I lead my team by creating a respectful and nurturing environment so they can develop their strengths, thrive, and enjoy what they do.

• I share my musical talents through live performances and telling stories that engender introspective thought and bring joy to those attending.

Thanks to all who have listened to me and offered support over the past decade as I struggled to resolve my purpose.

Thanks to my GBA Leadership Team One for ongoing support and having the courage and honesty to call me out when needed.

Thanks to my wife Cheryl for continuing to remind me of the value I bring to everything I do. And to my daughter Lysette for giving me a needed dose of reality to appreciate what I have and find purpose in the every day.