SPARK: How to Ignite It for Greater Connection, Meaning, Purpose, and Impact!

 

By Jack Duggal, MBA, PMP

Have you thought about the need for greater connection, meaning, and purpose recently? If you have, you are not alone, and if you haven’t, you should! It is a life changer and can lead to greater results, impact, and satisfaction. Particularly in the last year, the pandemic has pushed us to reflect on these questions to find a sense of meaning and purpose. Over 40 percent of the global workforce is in pivot mode and considering leaving their employer this year, according to a Microsoft 2021 Work Trend Index report.

But how do you pivot with purpose? Do you feel stuck in your current situation, or do you have a bunch of options? Are you unsure if you are on the right track? How do you decide and make tough choices? How do you connect your project to purpose?

To address these questions, we have to go to the source of what ignites our spark. Just like a light bulb needs a connection to a power source to light up, what do we as humans need to light up?

“Powered by Intel,” “Powered by AWS” or “Powered by Google” are ubiquitous stamps and stickers on products and systems. What would be a similar sticker for homo-sapiens? The more you think about it, the more you will realize that we are “Powered by Purpose” – we are a purpose-driven species. Purpose is what makes us get out of bed in the morning instead of dragging. Purpose is what we need to bounce back, and not just bounce back but bounce forward. Without purpose we are designed to self-destruct. So, if you feel like you have lost your mojo, you need to reconnect with your purpose.

We have all gone through a rough time with the pandemic, but some people have gotten stronger by reflecting and reigniting their spark. They have changed their priorities and carved a new path based on their purpose.  

Since the 1980s, there are over 750 studies that mention “purpose in life” examining the psychological, behavioral, and biological benefits of purpose. From stress reduction to resilience, more antibody production to longer life, more money, and greater life satisfaction are some of the benefits highlighted in these studies. Think of purpose as a vitamin; the strength of vitamin P energizes and lights us up, and the lack of purpose can drain and weaken us.

What is purpose?

Purpose is the flame that ignites the spark. It inspires and enables action to create or do something that is meaningful to yourself and consequential to others. It is energizing because it helps you to connect to your highest self. It provides a clear why based on the central theme of who you are, your skills, and your goals.

How do you find it? You will discover purpose at the intersection of what is interesting to you, what you are good at, and what the world needs. You have to dig into your curiosity that fuels passion that sparks purpose. In this PMI Virtual Experience Series session on 2 June, we will unpack this in detail and find out how to light the spark by discovering what powers and inspires you, connecting your projects to purpose, and using purpose as a skill to find meaning and connection. Move from me to we to thee and impact not just yourself but your family, team, community, or the planet. 

Identifying your spark and igniting your purpose is a life changer. Find out how by joining me on 2 June for the Virtual Experience Series where I will be responding to your questions and comments as you start to identify your big why and what you offer to the world.