All this talk about purpose and meaning...
In life... in work...
So many blank faces, silent voices...
"WHY ARE YOU HERE?"
It's the first question that I ask our new employees during my "Welcome conversation"...
"The extent to which you understand the answer to that clearly... is the extent to which you will enjoy and benefit from your time with us..."
And, I MEAN that!
"WHY ARE YOU HERE?"
"WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?"
"WHY DOES THIS COMPANY MAKE SO MUCH SENSE FOR YOU TODAY?"...
It surprises me how many people don't have a clear answer...
and surprises me even more how many people have never articulated that question to themselves...
Last night at dinner, I was asked...
"WHAT MOVES YOU?"
deep breath...
LOVE THAT QUESTION...
I think I know, but despite how much time I think about these things... I hesitate.
What moves me?
1. IMPACTING - Influencing the paths of others in a positive and more meaningful direction... Having my life / my thoughts in some way positively impact the lives of others...
2. GROWING - Learning & continuing to better understand the world & human beings... to become a better version of myself... and do more of 1 above.
3. DEVELOPING & EXECUTING - Strategy and Culture... that builds something of value and allows me to do more of 1 above.
4. ENJOYING - It moves me to feel JOY... I want to feel more JOY... and create more JOY around me... It moves me to be with people who value JOY and who are able to turn the noise down to enjoy the experience of what truly matters...
It moves me to be hugged by my boys... to be kissed in my bald head by my young son... to hold hands with my wife...
I am moved by a long run... by holding hands... by a warm cup of coffee on a cold morning...
I am moved by my own strength... by hope... by graciousness... by kindness... by ambition... by boldness... by dreams... by goals... by better... by entrepreneurs ... by people who create something out of nothing...
I am moved by great music & prose...
by quiet and stillness...
I am moved by both the possibility and the reality of life...
It MOVES me to see PASSION, COURAGE, DEDICATION, JUSTICE...
It MOVES me to FEEL CONNECTED...
It MOVES me to be alive... and aware...
It MOVES me to see the sun rise and set... to see time passing...
It MOVES me to be ALIVE...
It MOVES me to gratitude...
I am moved by people, by questions...
and at times by a great bottle of Brunello, or two...
and great dinner conversation with special souls... BEING ;-)
WHAT MOVES YOU?
Why are YOU here?
in harmony,
Nestor