Know Your Purpose!

Quite a few years ago my wife came home from her work as a nurse at the hospital and told me about how she delivered a baby (she worked Labor and Delivery) because the doctor didn’t get there in time. She would tell other stories of how she cared for patients, many at their worst physical times.  There are many stories she would tell. Some sad. Many happy.  The work she was doing impacted people very strongly.

So, I began to think about this. I concluded that what I do is help others to be successful. I thought back to the classes I had taught, the personal coaching that I conducted, the training programs delivered and the results of these activities.  I reflected on the comments made by individuals who shared with me how the concepts taught changed their style or behavior and produced positive results. I found much more value in what I did once I really started looking at how it affected others, and the success they were having.

Since that time, I have kept this realization in my mind as I have performed my work.  With every coaching session I thought about how this could benefit their life.  With every training program, how it could teach someone to perform their job better or to be more efficient, helping them on their road to success. With every speech or conference organized, how the events provide motivation and enthusiasm for the attendees. These thoughts provided more satisfaction in my job and the things that I did.  I believe that Training & Development is a service to others.  That if people participated and applied the concepts, it would benefit the individual.

I have told this story in classes that I have taught, and challenged the attendees to sit and reflect on what they do.  How do they serve others in their daily job? 

Take this time to reflect on this. We all need to realize what it is we really do, and how it affects others. You may find a deeper satisfaction with your work!