Finding purpose with WE

High stress can often cause me to lose grip on WHY we do our jobs - my purpose. The management, tasks, schedules, and STUFF overwhelm my thoughts. My stress level is high and my temper is short. It is easy to lose sight of my true purpose in my work and how I make a difference in my daily monotony. As I seek to find purpose, especially in my work, I find strength when I can work with others for a greater good.

THIS INSPIRATIONAL VIDEO of a high school football team pulled together to support a teammate. However, what you will notice is that more than just the recipient benefits from the kindness. This reminds me why we are here and how a team of people can come together to do something great.

As in the video, the team had to come together to support someone else. However, what you will notice was that it was more than just a positive experience for the recipient of the kindness. Those involved learned how their collaborative kindness allowed them learn about themselves. So, in an organization where we often work as individuals, we can make a greater difference with we come together for others - especially those that we serve.

I believe that goodness can occur in isolation. However, greatness must occur in collaboration. Regardless of your individual role or job, you can have a part in a greater purpose - just just have to find it and magnify it with others. We need each other to find aligned purpose and greatness.

Questions to find purpose as a team:

• What is my individual purpose in my work?

• How does my individual purpose fit within the purpose of others or the team?

• What is stronger with my team, trust or competition?

• How can we make WE stronger than I? How is that beneficial?

Pete Kurty, Ed. D