We live immersed in a crisis that has already destroyed thousands of lives, hopes, and projects. This “new normality” (or new complexity, depending on how you look at it) has profoundly changed personal and professional habits and attitudes.
Today, more than ever, we must reflect (individually and as a group) on our purpose, and what contribution (material, emotional, ecological, and spiritual) we want to leave to future generations. We need to motivate ourselves every day to enhance our long-term legacy.
I have always believed that we need a sense of purpose, and this is something that many of us neglect. We hide our light under a bushel, both as children in school and as adults. And in many cases, we lose part of our greatness, our “special spark,” along the way
We need a sense of purpose, and this is something that many of us neglect
I thought about this while reading Lo que mueve mi vida, published in Spanish by my good friend Jordi Nadal. His book gathers the answers of celebrities and ordinary people in the United States to questions such as what drives your life? What are your deepest values? What legacy do you want to leave behind?
This book summarises conversations from a five-minute daily radio programme entitled This I believe. The programme was created in 1951 by four American communication geniuses who felt something was needed to guide and motivate a disoriented nation in the middle of a crisis of values.
In the programme, hundreds of people had the courage and generosity to share their beliefs in order to encourage others to overcome difficulties and increase their resilience and clarity. The programme has been great success with audiences over the years, and this reflects the desire of many people to explore their beliefs, and become more aware of their role in this world.
Many people have a desire to explore their beliefs, and become more aware of their role in this world
Seventy years later we are again living in turbulent and uncertain times – and in which it is difficult to keep up with change. We may be tempted to take shortcuts to ensure our survival and happiness – and so move away from our values, passions, strengths, and our real personality.
Countries, businesses, and jobs will have to be rebuilt in the coming years . And with so much talk about the importance of essential services, I believe that strong individual and collective aims are essential to face the adversities of life. We must be clear about our essence to be more competitive, happier, and better able to make the most of our lives.
And so, what will you do today to enhance your legacy?
This is a big question that we should ask ourselves periodically to maintain our bearings, and re-energise ourselves on bad days. This question requires an answer that is equal to the challenges we all face to keep moving forward. It is a question that focuses on what is really important.
Today, Yuval Noah Harari’s phrase is truer than ever: “in a world flooded with irrelevant information, clarity is power.”
Strength, a vision for the future, and peace of mind are consolidated if you have goals that help you overcome obstacles and seize opportunities.
This article has also been published in Do Better by ESADE
David Reyero Trapiello – Senior HR Business Partner – Sanofi Iberia
e-mail: David.reyero@sanofi.com / Twitter: @davidreyero73 / Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/davidreyerotrapiello/
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