If it wasn't for you.

If it wasn't for you... what would it be?

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There's always talk about companies and organizations mission statements and reasons for being. But what about our own, individual, personal mission statement or reason for being? Our reason for being is the one most important thing we own.  And the cool thing is, we can chose what that is... and then make it happen.

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Why are you here?   What is your purpose in life? What mark are you going to make on this earth? What are your goals, desires, passions?

When I ask people these questions, so many of them have said, "You know..I don't know, I never really thought about it," or "To be happy," or "To become a millionaire" or "To live until I'm 100" ... I can't help but think, "That's it?" Being happy and wealthy and dying old are things we all want -- that's a given.. we should all strive for happiness, health and wealth. But, a "life purpose" is so much deeper than to just achieve that.

To me, a life purpose is bringing something to this world that otherwise would not have happened if it wasn't for you.

It could be really tricky sometimes figuring out what your purpose here on earth is. And for a lot of us, it could take years to figure this out. These are the steps I took to figure out my life's purpose... Maybe it will help you too.

Find out what you are truly passionate about... for example, dancing, helping others, the environment, medicine, therapy, music, sports, etc.... and then, figure out a way you can make an IMPACT on whatever it is your passionate about. Figure out a way to create positive change towards your passion... change that would not otherwise happen if it wasn't for you. 

After you figure out how to create this change (keep reading to see examples), re-create your life to where your life's purpose is aligned with your daily habits and actions. Once you do this, you'll be so much happier... because you're living a life based on what you're passionate about. What can really be better than that?

We can change some aspect of the world by simply being that change. Want to stop world hunger? Start an organization that feeds the homeless. Wish the earth was cleaner? Start a group that picks up trash through out your city, or even take a walk everyday down your street to pick up trash. Wish that more minority youth would attend college? Become a mentor to one. These are just a few examples of being that change you wish to see, even if it seems small. Small things taken together can and will have a HUGE impact. 

By pursuing things you are passionate about and contemplating what you want our world to be like for your kids and grandkids in 50 years, you can formulate your life's purpose.

Create change that otherwise would not have happened if it wasn't for you.

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If it wasn't for you, what would it be? 

Genchi Genbutsu.

What the ______ is Genchi Genbutsu?? Don't worry, I thought the same thing. Read on :).

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I never realized until recently how much we are influenced by what others have to say. I'm not saying it's necessarily a horrible thing to be influenced, actually. Hopefully, you surround yourself by intelligent, honest and good hearted people.. so if you were to be influenced, it's coming from the right place. On the contrary, the worst is when we allow ourselves to be influenced in the wrong way.

Regardless of who is influencing you, how you are being influenced, or if it's a "good" or "bad" influence.... I encourage you to genchi genbutsu. Always.
(Pronounced: gen-chee gen-boot-sue)

What the hell is genchi genbutsu? Good question! That's exactly what I thought when I heard the term. Genchi genbutsu is a Japanese term that translates to "actual place, actual thing." In other words, it means "go look, go see." In my words, it means "go find out for yourself."

Don't let yourself be influenced by what others say, even if their intentions are good. Don't allow your mind to form judgement, opinions, or most importantly, make decisions based off of what others tell or share with you. Don't fall into this trap. To me, genchi genbutsu is the way to go, always, when it comes to solving problems, finding out information or forming opinions.

If Mary thinks Joe has a problem with her, she should go straight to Joe to find out (instead of asking 3 different people if they think Joe has a problem with her). If the problem exists on the sales floor, it'll be most effectively understood and solved on the sales floor (instead of in a conference room at some corporate office hundreds of miles away). If your friends are saying that Sarah is annoying, go find out for yourself if you think Sarah is annoying.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't welcome other people's views, opinions, arguments, etc. I am definitely not saying this. If you know me, you'd know that I love to share and hear other people's ideas, philosophies, viewpoints, etc. (Oooh and how I love to debate.) What I'm saying is to be conscious, aware and proactive. Always genchi genbutsu and encourage others to do the same when you share an opinion about something.


Lastly, and my favorite part of all...:

On top of everything else, genchi genbutsu proves that gossiping is useless, pointless, dumb, a waste of time, and totally unproductive. (In fact, to me, the only thing that comes out of gossiping is bad karma... but that's a whole other subject.) If you understand what I'm talking about with genchi genbutsu and why it's so important, you'll see that gossiping is completely counter productive.. You're basically asking for others to form opinions for you. Do yourself a big favor and stay away from gossip. And if YOU ever find yourself gossiping, you have my permission to slap yourself, gently and purposefully, in the face. Crap, did I just say that?

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How do I know genchi genbutsu-ing works? Because after hearing about it from one of the most inspiring professors I've ever had, I genchi genbutsu-ed the genchi genbutsu process to see for myself if it works. And yes, it works. :)


Now, you know what you got to go do.. Go genchi genbutsu.