Why Pursuing Purpose is a Priority - NOT a Privilege
Challenging the Luxury Narrative in the Essential Quest for Fulfilment in the West
"My parents were tasked with the job of survival and I with self-actualization. The immigrant generational gap is real. What a luxury it is to search for purpose, meaning, and fulfilment.” - Bo Ren (Director in Silicon Valley)
This is a very interesting statement. And I get where she's coming from.
But I COMPLETELY disagree with it.
She is claiming it is a privilege to be able to search for purpose…
Of course, I understand our parents and grandparents had to overcome major economic difficulties to settle in Western lands. For them, purpose was perhaps not possible - it was about mere survival. So they worked wherever and however they could, and worked bloody hard too.
And sure, I get that for many, it may be considered a luxury perhaps in our Western capitalist system which puts money over absolutely everything else, even if you are miserable and not operating at your full potential.
That shows the limitations of our society and what we have prioritised.
But the reality?
It's probably THE most important thing you can work on.
It is the key that unlocks everything else. Your focus, your productivity, the fire in your belly, your growth, your health, everything. It has a compounding effect.
My main contention with her statement (even though she may have meant it in a positive way) is her claim that working towards purpose is somehow a luxury.
Because if we feel that this is something that’s only a nice-to-do, that’s a surefire way to failure.
That's why her statement is dangerous.
After all, we tend to prioritise ONLY those things which are a must.
What is your most prized resource?
Money? Health? Your House?
Family? Knowledge and skills?
No! It is your TIME!
And THAT is what purpose is all about, all about helping you to spend your short time on this Earth as best as you can, to achieve the objectives God originally intended for you and to free you up from the noise, from obstacles and enemies standing in the way.
Everywhere you look, forces are pulling time away from you.
It is too important and valuable to squander it.
To know why God created you, to reset and understand the world, so you are able to make the correct decisions, find meaning in what you do and feel truly fulfilled - this is not a luxury, this is a basic right for everyone!
Everyone deserves to not waste time.
Everyone deserves to operate at the peak of what they are capable of.
Everyone deserves to have deep and meaningful connections and relationships.
That is what being human is all about.
And that's what the pursuit of purpose provides you.
That is, if you treat it as a priority, not a privilege.
If you're looking for help with this, I'm doing something very rare for the remainder of the year - and opened myself up for some one-to-one coaching slots. These are very rare and there are only 4 slots available. If interested, you can book a call with me here.
