I thought I couldn’t write a purpose statement, then Accenture taught me how.
At the Annual Curator’s Summit chez WEF HQ
In June, I attended the Annual Curator’s Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, where I had the opportunity to meet with 500 peers in the Global Shapers Community. The summit was great, truly an amazing time.
On Saturday morning, one of our sessions was led by Accenture on Finding Authentic Leadership and leading with purpose.
Background: Reticence on writing a purpose statement
Throughout my young adulthood, I have often come across the importance of finding one’s purpose and living in one’s purpose. I believed these things to be true, but when I saw infographics or courses to help one find one’s purpose, I tended shrug them off with a mix of two responses: (1) I was skeptical that anyone could guide me through narrowing down my purpose - and I didn’t really want to ‘narrow it down’ as was my concept, because I (2) was secure in that I was living in my purpose - even as I kept this purpose fairly broad and loosely structured.
Even if I couldn’t define it with one sentence or so, I was living it. At given reflection points throughout the year, I would write my ‘purpose statement’ and many of the same words that I am drawn to - which recur throughout my life - would naturally emerge; “Love”, “relationship, “service”, “writing”, “art”, “spirit”, etc.
I have been blessed in more recent years to pursue work, relationships, and friendships that add to my sense of purpose, and I feel fulfilled.
So, I didn’t think that I needed to find my purpose…
However, while in Geneva, the opportunity to write a purpose statement struck at the right time and I was ready. It was a nice indulgence, an exploration of the self. The sort of self indulgence that feeds my creative work.
Wrestling with the purpose statement angels.
Accenture’s Purpose Statement Steps:
Identify magical moments from your childhood
Write about an activity/ moment that brought you the most joy and satisfaction. How do these details play out in your life/ your leadership style?
Define your challenging moments
Describe 2-3 of your most challenging life experiences where you were tested the most and clarify the gifts that these experiences bring to your leadership.
Pinpoint your passions
Think of the activities and interests that have stayed with you over time - how do you feel and who are you in these moments?
Write your purpose statement
For example, my purpose statement:
Identify magical moments from your childhood
I wrote about a moment from my childhood which I could easily recall where I know I was happy: I remember being in elementary school, probably 5th grade, and I was playing Taylor Swift songs - “Our Song” and “I’d Lie” were some of my favorites - on my guitar and singing in my bedroom, like I often did at that age. This springtime afternoon, we had a few friends over after school and I enjoyed expressing myself through music in front of them.
Define your challenging moments
I wrote about my experience with loneliness, depression, family conflicts, divorce… and growing up and learning how to seek solutions within myself, how to take care of my mental health, etc. Ultimately, the gift these experiences bring to my leadership is that I center my life on mindfulness, my spiritual values and beliefs, self-awareness and a love ethic.
Pinpoint your passions
I wrote about the activities and interested that have stayed with me over time - most notably, reading, writing, journaling, art (creativity), exercise (walking and yoga), meditation and prayer. A more recent moment when I gulled experience my passion include the times that I read a book that I love - such as The Outsiders to my fiancé and get to enjoy spending that time with him - and when he reads to me or recites a poem that he wrote to me. I feel light and expressive, happy, fulfilled, joyous and grateful - so so grateful and present - time slows and I savor it. Those are some of the most beautiful moments.
Write your purpose statement
All these words I collected brought me to a few phrases. From the section on childhood, I knew that I wanted my verb to be ‘expressing’ and I knew that ‘love’ was a clear through line. I played around with “Expressing love through writing and thoughtful leadership.” Then, “Cultivating love in writing and relationship.” I landed on “Expressing love through writing and relationship” because it rang most true.
It felt very nice - and powerful - to have my purpose statement defined this way. I hope that you gain something from it as well, if you choose to write your own purpose following this structure.
Thanks
If you write a purpose statement because of this post, please feel free to share it here in the comments to spread the love!
Thank you for reading Miscellaneous Sophia, this is truly becoming a dreamy writing space for me. Please share this post with anyone who is searching for their purpose OR has a strong sense of purpose -
sincerely,
I’m at the “think I can’t write a purpose” stage. I may be here a while. ❤️