About Purpose is about your purpose.
Aim: Identify and articulate your purpose.
Arm: Shape yourself around your purpose.
Act: Achieve your purpose.
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Back to Normal Reflections on 9-11
Bob Ryan, About Purpose, Inc. ©2001
Restating the obvious We’ve heard the statements time and again since the life changing terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. “Life will never be the same.” “Business, travel, security, war, etc. have forever changed.” There is no doubt in my mind that those few minutes on the morning of September 11 made irrevocable changes in our way of life.
While recognizing that, the president and numerous others are urging us to try to shift back into “normal mode.” I don’t know about you, but the mixed messages are confusing me. I’ve thought and prayed about what my next steps ought to be and I share them with you in the hope that they may help you figure out yours.
Don’t go back to normal That’s my advice. I believe that the worst thing any of us can do is revert to our pre-attack mindsets, values, and methods. If there is any good that comes from such horrific acts of war and tragedy, it is that most of us were jolted into reexamining ourselves, our lives, our beliefs and our daily activities. I am uplifted by the numerous reports of soul-searching. I am impressed by the change of heart we saw in many public figures. I am touched by the public shows of unity and purposefulness. I am frightened by the prospect of a war that promises to be long, dirty and costly. I am sobered by the lay offs, bankruptcies, and the stock market plunge.
All of these are signs of change. Signs that “normal” is being redefined. Going back to normal is to put our heads in the sand and forget what has happened. Please, don’t go back to normal.
How do we NOT go back to normal? I suggest a short “To-Do” list for all of us.
1. Re-examine your own driving goal in life and write it down. I don’t mean your short term, business or social goals. Dig deeper and ask yourself why you are here. What is it that you are meant to be, and therefore to do?
2. Survey your activities in light of that goal. Does your daily life support the attainment of your goal? Does your schedule simply ignore what you’ve identified as really important in life? Or, worse yet, do your daily activities work against that which you hold dear?
3. Resolve today to strike a new balance. Make changes starting now. Make sure that this new awareness flows through to all areas of your life – personal, business, financial, social, relationships, spiritual, health, etc. Take advantage of this major interruption in our way of life to change your way of life.
Don’t go back to normal.