Insights, inspiration, and practical leadership and business tips and advice for meaningfully integrating your life and work using the On-Purpose Approach by Kevin W. McCarthy
The chorus in Madonna's 1985 hit single Material Girl is:
Living in a material world And I am a material girl You know that we are living in a material world And I am a material girl
If your worldview is that of a material world, then money is what makes the world go around. But does money define purpose?
How would you live your life differently if you had unimagined wealth? In this On-Purpose Minute, let's explore the role money plays in mastering your life.
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The desire to make a difference is the sweet, soulful heart of ambition. In contrast is blind ambition that tramples all in its path to accomplish an end, perhaps even a noble end at that, which is fraught with unhealthy costs. Much of this rests on your view of people.
Which will mark your life, career, and legacy?
Herein lies the rub for many a business person. To what lengths are you willing to go to realize your ambitions?
Results, especially in the form of company sales and profits, are outward and tangible measures of success. Measurable signs, however, tell just a portion of the story. If you want to know the full story, ask the people along the way who helped to produce the results.
Here's an example. For 12 months spanning 2008 to 2009, I worked full time with a CEO client to author a book that codified his corporate culture, leadership development moves, and business strategy for internal use. Intending the company to go public, the book also targeted Wall Street analysts and investors so they could readily grasp what truly made this company great. Instead of going with an IPO, the company was purchased by a national competitor for $130 million. By the CEO's own admission, the book helped them get over $15 million in greater value for shareholders over the IPO price.
"Wow!" you may be thinking, "That CEO had to be happy." You would think so. Eight months after delivery of the manuscript, a client satisfaction clause I wrote into the contract was used to deny issuing me an "earned" stock bonus despite assurances to the contrary. My concern for my client's best interest was played against me. Ouch! It hurts.
Just because one can take advantage of another person, does that mean one should? Best-selling books on the art of war and being a prince would say go for it. But I say there's nothing noble in selfishness.
An alternative view is one of valuing people above things. Relationships are greater than transactions. Results with responsibilities and citizenship can co-exist and produce true greatness.
Hold no delusions of grandeur that either the perfect person or company graces the face of the planet. Self-serving serpents slither the planet preying on others. We are all capable of being this way, yet deep within our spirit we yearn to a higher call and standard.
Gazing with admiration upon the shells of successful men and women may provide inspiration, but it tends to deliver little instruction. You know better. Get the back story from the secretaries, bookkeepers, janitors, clerks, delivery persons, and cafeteria workers in corporate headquarters. You'll discover whether the person capturing the headlines and your attention is gold-plated or 24 karat solid gold.
Here's another personal example: On Sunday, I crossed a milestone (see On-Purpose Minute for more) when our youngest turned 18 years of age. My career and business ambitions have been on medium heat for 20 years now. Over the coming year(s) I'll be turning the heat to high once Judith and I are empty nesters with Anne off to college this fall.
Do this: Whether you're leading your life, a team, or a business, you need to decide: Ambition, at what price? Knowing your purpose and defining your values is a great start to building a life and a career where you can put your head to your pillow at night and sleep soundly.
____________________________________________________________________________________ Here are some famous quotes about money for your consideration and amusement.
Vonnegut's chart was enlightening because of its simplicity. Drama accentuates the ups and downs. Real life tends to be more moderated (unless you are a 15 year old teenage girl).
Folks who self-impose healthy drama with exploration in their lives I find to be engaging and interesting. People who impose unhealthy drama I prefer to avoid.
One's education and life trajectory are highly correlated. For some reason, however, many segments of our US population (children and parents) view schooling as a prison sentence instead of an opportunity of a lifetime.
Let me assume you don't know of Shakira, a international pop sensation from Colombia, South America, not South Carolina. This young woman's remarkable voice, talent, and moves (She Wolf song video) have catapulted her to the top of the song charts.
Shakira, gets it, however, when it comes to education - she is pouring much of her earnings into education by founding a school in her hometown of Barranquilla. The multiple Grammy winner has gifted $6 million through her foundation, Pies Descalzos, which means "barefoot" in
Spanish, to create a school to help 150 kids get ahead in life.
And if you're tempted to think Shakira is simply an empty-headed, manufactured public relations image, let me encourage you to watch the short video (below) of a speech she gave in the United Kingdom at Oxford Union about the importance of education.
Shakira, you are an on-purpose person! Thank you for converting your pop
culture fortunes into dollars dedicated to improving the culture of your country. Your legacy will live in the lives of those children and the
generations to follow.
Casting Crowns is a contemporary Christian band that just had an article written about them entitled Casting Crowns On Purpose. In the article, the front man, Mark Hall, shares what it means to have a "life on purpose." He is really close to understanding the power and potential of being on-purpose.
Back in the late 1980s when I was teaching about on-purpose in the positive, it was very novel. Until that time, most people would use on purpose to negate a negative, such as, "I didn't mean to spill my milk on purpose." I knew then, as I still do today that I am pioneering a positive concept whose time has yet to come. Even today, most people are seeking their purpose, rather than the follow through of living or being on-purpose.
I envisioned the day when the words and concept of being on-purpose would be in the popular culture. Well, it continues to creep into everyday use more and more as the Casting Crowns article indicates. I must admit a certain measure of joy mixed with disappointment because
the general use of purpose is misunderstood and the concept / lifestyle
of being on-purpose is used far too cavalierly.
Pastor Rick Warren's work, The Purpose Driven Life popularized the use of purpose; unfortunately, it was a watered down version of the concept. Oh well, I persevere in this calling trusting the results to God.
Cover of Material Girl
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