For some of us they are the same thing, so far as what deeply motivates or stirs us is the deciding factor or reference point. If for some it is survival at its most basic then it is vital that this fact be accepted wholeheartedly as that which is needed at this time. If we feel the ideal is too ordinary we will sabotage the very lesson we need to learn.
I remember a time when I had lost everything and more. For awhile I kidded myself that my loftier aspirations were more important. I was wrong. What I needed to understand was the concept of responsibility, not duty, as there is a difference. I had had it too easy and needed to re-learn things from scratch.
In the process of defining our work purpose or life purpose we sometimes become so intent on what we are trying to be or to do that we forget what we originally set out to do. Many a business person feels himself or herself trapped by the commodities or services they are trying to sell.
Sometimes we have a feeling of being fraudulent about the product we're selling and a secret hatred for it or for the service that is bringing the money. Most important of all is the feeling that is common to many that the person sees their life passing them by and not knowing how to get out of the prison they have built for themselves.
One important way to regain the life or work purpose is to eliminate what is known as peripherals; namely those things that diminish the happiness of the individual worker. In these cases, career can be a destructive game if we're playing it without a clear and constructive purpose. Playing the career game and even the life game for that matter requires an ability to distinguish between purposeful and peripheral matters.
While some become consumed by the work game or the career game, others resent it with a passion. Those that see clearly the blind spots of the ones who get consumed by it fail to see the fact that they have certain problems because of their refusal to play the game wholeheartedly.
Understanding that work/career is a game doesn't devalue it at all. On the contrary when we play the work game as a game we can be more flexible and don't take it so hard when we fail. We see the inherent value in a failure and can pick ourselves up again. At least that is my experience.
One of my friends has recently taken a huge financial hit. Now I know people from my past who have never recovered from such a hit. However this person while feeling quite wounded has a profoundly wise and accepting attitude even though many might never recover.
On the contrary they are trying to figure out what they could learn from it and not even wanting me to supply the answer which is even better- I could not anyway as this is their experience.
Goethe said," the greater part of all the mischief in the world arises from the fact that men do not sufficiently understand their own aims."
The thing is- once we have identified our work purpose the rest is less difficult because it is easier to see ourselves playing in any one of a number of games of our choice. The field is less restricted and more open. If we lack purpose we are left only with a few choices; of how to make money to survive and lesser objectives in the great game of life.
When we have purpose we have a thread or life line to hang onto,one that warms our hearts and gives hope and courage to continue-even though we might feel defeated temporarily like my friend.
Putting purpose first, whether in life, work or career helps us get focused on the how and where and why of it all. There is a constant thread that you know will lead you home. If we refuse to play the game we are at the mercy of other people's games. For me this has never been an option and I can't see it changing.
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