What’s YOUR Purpose? Do you even believe in living a purposeful life? Or is life just a meaningless existence?
When I was an employee, I was always giving it all I’ve got. I showed up early. Always. I was a team player. I rarely was ever hired fulltime when I started any job. I accepted whatever jobs I was offered, on casual or part time basis. Because I know my work ethic and I know that I can always pick up shifts, I always ended up working overtime. If there’s one thing I’m certain of about human nature, it’s that many people give so little effort at their place of employment. I can always count on people not wanting to work. So, because I want to work as much as I could, I never worried. When I was in healthcare, I worked EVERY SINGLE HOLIDAY because I wanted my coworkers to spend time with their kids and since I had none, I could make the residents’ day by working and cheering them up.
I dedicated myself to the betterment of the workplace and my coworkers. I chose to make it enjoyable for me and everyone around me. I didn’t want my time there to be a waste. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to love. I wanted to spread joy. I made my work my purpose. I sang to my residents. I taught yoga. I joined committees, I got involved. I looked after the people around me. At my last job, I had a wellness corner by my work station. Anyone who felt ill, injured, or just needed a little cheering up would come and get what they needed. I certainly wasn’t paid to do that. I loved it though. I got to be what I’m passionate about because the job was pretty mundane with being on the computer all day long, staring at 3 screens. So it was my little corner of sunshine. Health and wellness.
Did it help me climb the corporate ladder? Not really. I didn’t interview well. I wasn’t good at promoting myself. I got rejected for the promotions I applied for. But I believed that something better would come along. I never let the rejections define my identity. I still contributed and I still worked hard. If it wasn’t meant to be, it’s ok. I’m learning. I refused to have the victim mentality rule my life.
I decided that my purpose was where I was in each moment. It doesn’t have to always be grand. It can be taking the time to chat with someone and without knowing, you make them feel less alone. It could be smiling at a stranger and you help brighten their day. The smallest, simplest things can be your purpose in each moment.
I went above and beyond FOR ME. I wanted to learn as much as I could. And did I ever learn so many skills! And those skills I am still using to this day in my business. Priceless. My work ethic is unquestionable. And that’s a winning quality especially in the business world.
If you have the mentality “It’s not my company, why should I be loyal and give it 100%?” Well I can tell you that IF you do end up owning a business where you have to employ people, I hope you don’t get employees with your kind of mentality.
Sometimes you get great people, sometimes you don’t. But you can’t expect to attract great people if you don’t have the same beliefs and attitude about working for someone else. Your attitude and mentality will determine if you’re winning.
This is why no matter how hard and exhausting my days can be, I go to bed smiling. It doesn’t matter if Jhon and I are the only ones working that day, you can be sure that I’m smiling. I LOVE greeting my customers, serving them, and striving to make their day brighter. I strive to make someone feel a little more healed after our encounter and eating my food. I put so much love, blessings, and healing into everything I make for my people. I become the blessing I seek in my world. It’s an honour for me when they come and eat my food. I am humbled that they like my food and baked goods.
I’m working on a few other things that help expand our brand. The restaurant may not be around forever, but I want to leave a legacy. I want to make this world a more loving and peaceful place after I no longer exist physically. So yes, I live a purpose driven life. This is why I feel so fulfilled. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
May you CREATE whatever it is you seek to have more of in your world. Don’t wait to find it. And certainly never wait for anyone to give it.