The Excitement of Purpose Revisited

Last year, I presented a talk titled “The Excitement of Purpose.” Since then, I’ve had time to reflect, and the message has stayed with me. Purpose isn’t something we simply stumble into—it’s something we live, breathe, and grow through. Here are a few highlights I believe are worth revisiting.

What Lane Do You See Yourself In?

Life has a way of nudging us forward. Sometimes we’re pushed toward “it” - an opportunity, a role, or a responsibility. It might not even match our dreams or aspirations. Maybe it’s just something we do to survive.

Other times we’re assigned to “it.” That’s when purpose shows up as a natural extension of who we are. People are drawn to you. They see something in you that maybe you don’t even see in yourself. But let’s be honest—the crown is heavy. Carrying your purpose isn’t always easy.

Communicate Your Purpose

Here’s the shift: when you verbalize your purpose, things begin to move.

• You create real connections that expand your network.

• You let others know what you bring to the table, building trust and allyship along the way.

Purpose isn’t meant to stay silent. Speaking it out loud aligns you with the people and opportunities designed to walk with you.

Alignment and Collaboration

When you live in your purpose, you attract others who are also walking in theirs. That’s when collaboration happens - when purpose meets purpose. And together, we create something bigger than what any one of us could do alone.

What’s Your P.O.V.?

Purpose also asks us to check our Point of View. For me, that perspective comes down to three simple words:

1. Learn – Take time to understand the needs of the people around you. Ask yourself how your unique gifts can truly serve them.

2. Earn – Build a reputation of integrity and consistency. Earn respect through how you show up and how you treat others.

3. Burn – Leave a trail others can follow. Blaze a path that makes it easier for the next person to rise.

Your Purpose Is Not Just for You

At the heart of it all, remember this: your purpose is not for you. It’s not about the spotlight or the title. It’s about impact.

• Use your gifting to edify.

• Use your gifting wisely.

• Use your gifting to lift others toward their own greatness.

That’s the true excitement of purpose - knowing that what’s placed in you was never meant to stop with you. It was meant to ripple outward, shaping lives, building legacies, and leaving the world better than you found it.

So I’ll ask again: What lane do you see yourself in - and how will you choose to run it?