What is Purpose and how does it show up?

PURPOSE is ubiquitous in our lives, yet rarely top of mind, known or signposted. 

Purpose is the true powersource of your life. Without a clear purpose, your goals are fragile. Yet Purpose tied to outcomes will leave you rattled. Markets wobble. Projects fail. Applause fades. But if your purpose is rooted in who you’re becoming: as a human, a leader, a parent, a partner – it’s unshakable. It doesn’t flinch in failure or inflate with success. Because when your purpose is about being over-achieving, you never lose it – even when you’re losing. Here’s some advice:

“Don’t ever attach yourself to a person, a place, a company, an organization or a project. Attach yourself to a mission, a calling, a purpose ONLY. That’s how you keep your power & your peace…”

It said that our purpose develops over a period of time, perhaps like wrinkles. Yet I know people who’ve nailed it at 16 and 53; the spectrum exists. Either way, it’s never too late, and it’s awesome when you come to understand yours.

Purpose isn’t a childhood certificate you earn early on. It’s the journey of uncovering what lights you up and how you use that flame to connect with others. It’s transformation, not prescription.

Like weather, air travel and most “terms & conditions”, a lot about our lives is “subject to change”. And purpose, despite being a major driver of who we are, is not excluded from this. Purpose itself is subject to change as you grow and evolve.

Born from my own, sometimes hard-won, experience, and blended with best practices, we at Compadres designed a framework and course to get you sharp on what drives you.

Purpose ➝ Principles ➝ Values ➝ Goals. 

I believe if we all were super clear on our purpose, our principles, our values, and our goals would be made much simpler to achieve. Plus, we would have…  

• high performing businesses, 
• successful relationships, 
• excellent health and well-being, 
• A great quality of life. 

I’m convinced the world would be a much better place.

Purpose is not a formula. It’s a feeling. It starts as a flicker and becomes a fire. 

Here’s what to look for…

• 💡 An idea you can obsess over
  
  Your itch to scratch. The thought you can’t shake. The thing that keeps you up at night – in a good way.
  
• 🤝 That makes a difference to people
  
  It contributes. It lifts others. It solves a real problem or unlocks a real possibility.
  
• 💸 Means more than just cash
  
  It can create value—but you’d do it even if it didn’t. Purpose is what you’d pursue without applause or profit.
  
• 🌏 Positive for the world
  
  Whether local or global, it adds to the collective good. It leaves the place better than you found it.
  
• 🔔 Feels like the calling of your life
  
  It speaks to your soul. It’s not a job- it’s a joy. It feels like alignment. Flow. Truth. You would be proud of you. And those that love you are proud of you.
  

MY LIFE FRAMEWORK

Most leaders focus on goals. That’s the last step.

A life worth living is built from the top down:

PURPOSE – Your North Star. The impact you want to have. The fuel.
PRINCIPLES – The 3–5 non-negotiables that make life sing.
VALUES – How you live and behave in the world.
GOALS – The measurable markers of impact.

That’s the framework. Simple, but it reshapes how you choose, act, and lead.

Here’s mine, in practice:

• Purpose: Make a difference. Be a contribution.
• Principles:
  1. Spiritual, physical, and mental health
  2. Relational health — family & close friends
  3. Financial health
  4. Community health
• Values: Curiosity (optimism). Integrity (kindness).
• Goals: By 2030, help thousands of entrepreneurs realise their potential, live rewarding quality lives, and positively impact the planet.

Purpose isn’t fixed. It evolves. Next up: The Second Mountain — why purpose matters most at early-to-midlife.