We recently celebrated my father-in-law’s 70th birthday. His middle name is “Ernest,” a homonym of the word, earnest, that describes him to a “T.” One of the most diligent, dedicated and focused individuals I have ever met, he dedicated his life long ago to serving others, primarily through the profession of sales.
He told me the story of a sales conference convened in the 80s, where he was called on to speak words of inspiration to the assembly. Rather than pump up those attending in the usual fashion, he instead asked them to take 10 minutes to write down what they saw as their purpose in life.
Here’s what happened, in his words:
At first they seemed to be shocked with the question, perhaps even a little resentful to have to think in the terms of “purpose.” Their reaction was understandable; these were independent contractor outside sales reps who had it drilled in them to think almost exclusively in terms of goals.
After a few minutes, a few of them started writing, and pretty quickly all of them were writing. Some of them took quite a while with this exercise, especially those who took a while to get started. However, once they were on a roll they really got it going. Their entire countenance started changing, some of them even starting to smile at me (remember, I was not their manager but was their managers manager)!
At any rate, when they were finished I asked them if any would like to share their purpose with the rest of us. Slowly but surely (again) they started articulating their purpose to all of the others in the room (perhaps 20 of them were there). And here was the common theme: in all cases their purpose had to do with providing for others.
You can imagine the light bulbs that went off in the room during those moments. They actually started thinking of others rather than themselves. So we started comparing goals to purpose and discovered that goals were pretty much about what we could get
and that purpose was about what we could give or provide. We than wove that back into the essence of sales, which is service.Later many of them had feedback that showed that though their goals changed, their purpose did not.
While there is nothing inherently wrong with wealth or material possessions, what truly matters in life is not what you have but how fully you give of yourself to others. Your fulfillment depends on your ability to assist others to theirs and there are no exceptions to this rule.
It’s never too late to begin to live your life in earnest. Betty White, for instance, lived what was likely one of her most productive and prolific years in 2010, the year she turned 88 (she’s old enough to be my father-in-law’s mother!). Just voted “Entertainer of the Year” by Associated Press, White beat out the cast of Glee, Conan O’Brian and other remarkably talented actors for the title. Were everyone to accomplish so much in their golden years!
In the spirit of my father-in-law’s question to those within earshot 20 plus years ago, I encourage you to take time today to write down – as clearly and as plainly as possible – what your purpose is as you see it right now. Then set about fulfilling it…in earnest!
Gregory Hake 
Thanks for sharing this inspiring story. I am sure ‘Ernest’
has added a lot of value to a lot of people, and by the looks of
things he is far from done!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your father-in-law’s inspring story
LikeLike
It’s share-worthy!
LikeLike
Great story!
LikeLike
How wonderful to live a life worth celebrating. Thanks for this inspiring post!
LikeLike
You’re quite welcome.
LikeLike
How inspiring. I’ll bet those people at the conference in the 80’s have benefited from having to think about their purpose so long ago.
If a happy, fulfilling life depended on reaching all your goals I don’t think they’d be many happy people. The excitement, vigor and vibrancy of planning, then working to meet your goals, can be a good life whether they’re reached or not. I think the deepest of fulfillment would be when you have fulfilled what you see as your purpose and lived a good life on the journey.
LikeLike
Well said. I’m not a betting man, but I am sure they (and their worlds) were blessed to the degree that they opened their hearts and minds to hear what he was calling for during his talk.
LikeLike
What a different experience we would all have in our day to day lives if every leader or manager was an “Earnest”. Those who work for him and with him are very lucky. It is so very important, young and old to take the time to “check back in” with what is already there in our hearts, “our purpose” and sqaure it back to the evidence that we are leaving in our worlds….Do they match up? If not then, then there is a new starting point for the next day. Thanks so much for sharing and for all those who inspire others this way.
LikeLike
My pleasure.
LikeLike
There was a great section in today’s WSJ called “Next”; it’s articles about retirement age people who have chosen to keep living, creating and pioneering.
When I read your post today and the WSJ stories it sounds like all of those interviewed did not wait until they retired to start living.
It seem trite to say but today is the first day of the rest of your life no matter how old you are. If we discover our purpose today, we’ll have more time to actualize it.
Happy Birthday to Ernest!
LikeLike
Life can begin after retirement but should begin 65 years earlier! Nothing stands in the way but false concepts and lethargy!
LikeLike
What a great story. As I’ve experienced, questions like that can change your life if you answer them honestley. Some people say that the purpose of life is to succeed, but that is such a broad thing to say! What’s success? I really like your definition. Thanks for the great story and happy birthday to your father-in-law.
LikeLike
Thank you for your comment. Have a great day!
LikeLike
Thank you so much for this blog post. I am going to print it out and save it forever. It has always been so sad to me to watch people retire. It looks like the life get’s knocked out of them and they spend their days with little to no purpose. People like “Earnest” and Betty White are so inspiring to me. The best is yet to come!
LikeLike
Very sweet comment. Thanks.
LikeLike