Living a Purpose Centered Life. Jack Mastrianni NOFA Summer Conference 2011

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1 Living a Purpose Centered Life Jack Mastrianni NOFA Summer Conference 2011

2 Agenda Discussion of today s turbulent waters and consequences How purpose and principles can help you navigate Examples Developing a purpose statement Next steps How to live it The power of setting SMART goals Commitments

3 Objectives One overarching objective: Living an integrated life where your actions align to your purpose and principles. This is the definition of integrity. This holds true for individuals, families, farms, organizations,communities and societies.

4 Introductions Show of hands: How many people currently have a personal purpose or mission statement? A partial one? Not at all? Jack Mastrianni Sustainable Growth Partners, 5 years consulting business 28 years growing people and organizations, 45 years growing plants Board member of NOFA NH Treasurer of NOFA Interstate Council (2009 NOFA Person of the Year) Organizational Consultant, Weatherman and Orchardman (Maple Frost Farm, Langdon, NH)

5 Agenda Discussion of today s turbulent waters and consequences How purpose and principles can help you navigate Examples Developing a purpose statement Next steps How to live it The power of setting SMART goals Commitments

6 Info Age Turbulence Everybody is connected to everything, everywhere, instantly Everything is speeding up.its now officially a blur This is unprecedented 2012 New World Era Astrologically speaking Even the atmosphere is caught up with excessive turbulence Economic, social, environmental, technological, political change is happening instantly

7 Turbulence Small Group exercise (purpose partners): So, how does this feel? What are the consequences of living in a time of unprecedented turbulence? Each purpose partners group come up with 2-3 things and be prepared to report them out to the large group

8 Turbulence The challenge is that with the landscape constantly changing, we need a compass now more than ever to not only know where we are but to get where we want to go. If we don t create our future then it will create us. The most powerful way to live a purpose centered life, filled with accomplishments and contributions, is to create a living statement of purpose and live your life with it in your center.

9 Agenda Discussion of today s turbulent waters and consequences How purpose and principles can help you navigate Examples Developing a purpose statement Next steps How to live it The power of setting SMART goals Commitments

10 The Power of Purpose and Principles - Benefits Gives you focus Channels and increases your energy Its an attractor of people, resources Builds momentum Integrity Self-esteem

11 Power of Purpose and Principles - Benefits Gives you orientation Identity A yardstick by which to make decisions A way to prioritize things in your life Better relationships with self and others Any others?

12 Purpose Statement Defined A Purpose Statement defines in a paragraph or two, any entity's reason for existence. It embodies its philosophies, goals, ambitions and mores. Any entity that attempts to operate without a purpose statement runs the risk of wandering through the world without having the ability to verify that it is on its intended course.

13 Purpose Statement Defined A powerful living document that expresses your personal sense of purpose and meaning in your life. It acts as a governing constitution by which you evaluate decisions and choose behaviors. In essence it s the essence of who you are, what you do and what you want to have.

14 Agenda Discussion of today s turbulent waters and consequences How purpose and principles can help you navigate Examples Developing a purpose statement Next steps How to live it The power of setting SMART goals Commitments

15 Examples My purpose is to live a full and healthy life that contributes to the sustainable growth and development of all living things and systems I come in contact with. I enhance the self esteem, respect and dignity of others. By generating positive energy in all of my interactions with both the human and natural world, the world will be a better place as a result of my existence. I earn a wage that supports the health and well- being of my immediate family and all living things on our farm. I will share this wage and my time with those organizations that are aligned to my purpose.

16 Examples My purpose for being on this earth is to help others recognize, develop, and use their Godgiven intuitive abilities to ease suffering and grow in goodness, love, compassion, and wisdom. My mission is to help take away fear-- the fear of death, by proving that we don't die and will see our loved ones again, and the fear of living, by showing how we can tap in to our wisest selves and make our lives much happier and easier. My desire is to help each of us connect to the love that is eternal, that is the reason for our existence.

17 Examples To find happiness, fulfillment, and value in living, I will seek out and experience all of the pleasures and joys that life has to offer. My core values are not limitations restraining me on this hedonistic quest for fun. Rather, they provide a framework for identifying, pursuing, and achieving those pleasures that last the longest and are the most satisfying. The greatest joy of all is being worthy of the respect and admiration of family, friends, and business associates

18 Examples To remember where I have been and where I will go through maintaining positive relationships with family and friends. To choose the ethical way by making a personal commitment to honesty and integrity. To find peacefulness within myself by looking inward while using my heart to guide my dreams and desires, and my mind to pursue knowledge, creating balance among all of my obligations. To content myself in my surroundings so I will always know where security lies within my life. To build a reputation of being dedicated to every goal I choose to pursue while having successes in both my personal and professional life. To enjoy every moment along this journey finding laughter, love, and happiness with each day that passes

19 Example I am a communicator, an enabler and a giver. I have been placed here to improve the lives of those I encounter, and this will be my measure. I have the gift of communication, and challenge myself to utilize this gift to deliver powerfully effective messages for others. I lend them my voice, and craft their ideas so they motivate others to act. I utilize this gift for change, personal improvement and entertainment. I have the gift of enabling. I see what hinders others, and remove these obstacles for them. I enjoy setting the stage and stoking the fires to allow others to succeed. I can see people's lives in their eyes, and tell them what they need to hear. I am empathetic in the extreme, and use this trait to assist me in enabling others. I utilize the gift of enabling to allow others to achieve what would otherwise not be possible. I have the gift of giving. I will break in half what I have, to share with those in need, and break the remainder in half to share with the rest. I have gone without, and am grateful for all I have. I give of my time and my earnings, but most of all, I give of my heart. I always give back what I have taken, and improve where I have been. Those who follow behind me find it easier because of what I have done. I utilize this gift to spread the good fortune that has found me, and to directly improve the lives of others. I am a communicator, an enabler and a giver. I have been placed here to improve the lives of those I encounter, and this will be my measure.

20 Agenda Discussion of today s turbulent waters and consequences How purpose and principles can help you navigate Examples Developing a purpose statement Next steps How to live it The power of setting SMART goals Commitments

21 Developing a Statement Need to answer the following questions: 1. What things do I want to have that I feel are important? - Have 2. What am I about? - Do 3. What are the qualities of character I would like to embody? - Be 4. What legacy do I want to leave for the world? - Be

22 The Inside-Out process Be Do Have

23 The Have Exercise Identify the 5 most important things you want to have that you feel are important. Your haves may be tangible possessions (house,farm,etc) or intangible (happy family) Brainstorm first and then prioritize to the top 5. Share with your purpose partners

24 The Do Exercise Do addresses the contributions and accomplishments that tie to your purpose and values. It answers the question what am I about? Think about and respond to the questions below, then share with your purpose partners 1. In my happiest daydreams, what do I see myself doing? 2. If I had unlimited time and resources, what would I choose to do?

25 The Do Exercise 3. When I look at my work life, which activities do I consider of greatest worth? 4. When I look at my personal life, which activities do I consider of greatest worth? 5. What do I consider to be my most important future contributions to others? 6. What talents do I have, either developed or undeveloped? 7. Are there things I feel I really should do even though I might have dismissed such thoughts many times before for various reasons?

26 Be exercise This exercise will help you discover the character traits/beliefs that you value the most. 1. Who has served as a positive role model for me and has had a significant impact in my life? Why did they have such impact? 2. What qualities does /did this person possess that I would like to emulate? 3. What other qualities of character do I admire most in others? Share with your purpose partners to refine your ideas.

27 Be Roles/ Legacy Exercise The various roles that you play in your life can provide a natural framework to help you define what you want to be 1. Think of up to 7 key roles in your life. To keep at 7 you may want to cluster your roles. 2. Write your roles and the name of a key person in each role in the boxes provided. 3. Now, attend your tribute dinner. Each of these key people are in attendance. What do you want these people to say about you in that role.

28 Be Roles/ Legacy Exercise Role Key Person What is the tribute statement for that role? Role Key Person What is the tribute statement for that role?

29 Be: Roles/Legacy

30 Draft Purpose Statement Visualize being in your favorite peaceful place. See yourself in that place fully being all that you aspire to, based on your work here. In this place,see yourself interacting with the key people in your life in the most positive way possible. See all living things around you in full bloom just because of your presence.

31 Draft Purpose Statement Lets stay in that place and you are now reviewing all of the exercises that we have done. Begin to get a general sense of your Have, Do, and Be. You will now do an exercise that will begin to bring everything together.

32 Draft Purpose Statement We will now take some time to actually begin to write our draft purpose statement. 1. Review everything you have done 2. Highlight specific words or phrases that stand out as important ideas you want to include in your purpose statement

33 Five-Minute Continuous Writing Exercise To help us get a draft going, we are going to do a 5 minute continuous writing exercise Instructions: Write for 5 minutes without any stopping When you can t think of anything else to write, keep your pen or pencil moving until something else comes to mind Don t worry what it looks like or says. Just get all your thoughts down on paper.

34 Draft Purpose Statement Now begin to draft a more formal statement. 1. Look at some of the examples for different ideas 2. Underline those parts of your 5 minute exercise that are important to you. 3. Incorporate your have do and be into your purpose statement Share what you have with your partners 4. This is only a start. Commit to finish it by the autumnal equinox 6 weeks. This way, you will be on your way to living a purpose centered life beginning in the fall.

35 Agenda Discussion of today s turbulent waters and consequences How purpose and principles can help you navigate Examples Developing a purpose statement Next steps How to live it The power of setting SMART goals Commitments

36 Next Steps Plan for two, 1 hr blocks of time, during the next 6 weeks, when you can continue to develop your statement In these blocks of time you will refine your statements your purpose partners every 2 weeks to reinforce working on the statement and to check on status. Rotate responsibility. First on August 26th.

37 Agenda Discussion of today s turbulent waters and consequences How purpose and principles can help you navigate Examples Developing a purpose statement Next steps How to live it The power of setting SMART goals Commitments

38 How to Live It Setting Goals The only way to ensure that you are living a purpose centered life is by setting and accomplishing goals that are linked to your purpose Goals should be long term (3 or more years) as well as short term (1 year or less) Every year you should revisit your annual goals

39 How to Live It Setting Goals Write 1-3 long term SMART goals associated with each role that will help you fulfill your purpose and help you get what you want. Do this after you have written your purpose statement and have clarified your roles. Make a commitment to have this done within a month of purpose completion

40 How to Live It Setting Goals Example Role Grower of Fruits and Vegetables Long Term Goal - 50 gallons of sweet apple cider annually by 2013 with 75% heirloom varieties. Annual Goals 1. Develop a rotational cover crop system and implement by Sept 15 th, Create wood chip mulch ring for 15 apple trees by Nov 15 th, 2011

41 Agenda Discussion of today s turbulent waters and consequences How purpose and principles can help you navigate Examples Developing a purpose statement Next steps How to live it The power of setting SMART goals Commitments

42 Commitments Commitments are scary. This commitment is a serious one. At the heart of this commitment is to live your life to your fullest potential and follow you inner voice. Do you want to have what you want, do what you want and be who you want to be? Are you willing to make the commitment to be successful?

43 Commitments There are times when you will fall down and not live according to purpose. This will happen. The difference is, as long as you have your compass well established and goals in place, you are much more likely to get back on course more quickly and more effectively than ever before.

44 Commitments I commit to create a compelling purpose statement, which will serve as my life s compass and constitution, by Sept 23, I will commit to develop long and short term goals, aligned to my roles, by Nov 1, I will commit to live my life in accordance with my purpose and I will work to accomplish the goals I have set forth for myself.

45 In Closing This is hard work but NOTHING will be more valuable to you. Good luck as you develop your purpose and set your goals. If you have any questions, you can send me an at