A few months ago you could have asked me about my life purpose and values and I would have given you a very confident, ingrained, knee-jerk response:
“My Purpose? Improving Lives!”… no, wait, that was Procter & Gamble’s Purpose, not mine…
“My Values? Leadership; Integrity; Innovation”… no, wait, those were also Procter & Gamble’s… damn!
So, I spent some time over the past few months while working at coaching training to think about my energizing life purpose and my personal values. The first thing I realized is, they don’t have to be perfect, permanent, nor formal – go with what works for you today and you can revisit it as you grow. My life purpose, for now, is simply to “Enjoy and Explore The Circus of Life!” It will evolve overtime but for now it is inspiring as there is so much to explore that I have ignored for too long!
A few of my newly recognized personal values are “Simple, Flexible, and Fun”. I love these energizing values, quite different than some of my older stale ones.
Live Simply: For decades now, Americans have been manipulated to consume as much as we possibly can. Making more money? Buy a new car! The newest car, another computer, more cable stations, more clothes, more shoes, this year’s fashions, more kitchen gadgets, and everything we could possible desire in the holiday season! Since when did people decide they need to have a new phone every year?! And for their children, too?! This year, we are going against the crowd and beginning to simplify. Now, we see that more and more American’s are waking up and doing the same.
Our family is in the midst of downsizing. We had a big house. It required a staff – cleaning lady, pest control service, lawn guys, pool guy, and more. We had fun in the house but we also filled every room, every closet, every spot in the 3 car garage with… crap! Now, we are donating things and preparing to move into a smaller, simpler house in a smaller, simpler community. In the interim, we have sold our house and put 2/3rds of our stuff in storage while we live in a rental home. The kids have mattresses on the floor and only a few toys — and they LOVE IT!!!
Working to say goodbye to high consumerism will take time as we form new habits; but we already feel the sense of freedom. SIMPLE is a wonderful value that makes us more aware and appreciative!
Be Flexible: My current life phase is one where I don’t want to make any new big commitments. Rather, I want to explore different things, new hobbies, fitness, cooking, spend time with friends and family, enjoy the many spices of life. Being flexible and spontaneous is a new value and one which I did not have the luxury of honoring while I was triple booked every day in a corporate life for two decades. Now, I have a list of things I may want to do on any given day, but if my wife wants to go somewhere, or a friend calls, I am free to reshuffle on a moments notice. Amazing things happen when you simply go with the flow. Flexible brings pleasant surprises daily!
Have Fun! Life is too short. If it ain’t fun, it ain’t worth it. There are so many examples any of us could give here from big fun to having fun in the mundane; but I think the underlying theme that has been important for me (and maybe for you) is: stop taking yourself so seriously! No one else really cares if you don’t look great, mess up, or simply goof off in public. In fact, others will probably appreciate it. Even if they don’t, you will! Enjoy life, enjoy the moment, enjoy your kids, and chill out!
So, my currently stated purpose is to “Explore and Enjoy The Circus of Life“. A few of my values include Simple, Flexible, and Fun.* Staying true to this life compass for 2016 is energizing and should be a wonderful ride!
*P.S. – Other values remain important to me — Integrity, Creativity, Leadership, Collaboration, Reflection to name a few — but I am loving giving my new values top billing for a while as I flex some atrophied muscles with “Simple, Flexible, and Fun!”
What are some of your best values that can energize and guide your life?!
