Last week, I shared with students of CEU University Cardenal Herrera in Valencia some thoughts on seeking purpose, driving your life, answering your personal calling. During the talk, we went deeper on the relationship between purpose and career. And the later addressed through definitions of success, performance and ambition. I tried to answer them referring Gospel’s scenes:
What is purpose? What is vocation?
It is not success, or at least not in the sense that the world measures
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well
(Matthew 6:33)
It is not performance, or at least not restricted to criteria like effectiveness, efficiency and productivity
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10:38-42)
It is not ambition, or not at least in the form of seeking unconditionally wealth, power and fame.
And I will show you a still more excellent way
(1 Corinthians 12:27-31)
However, looking for purpose will awake a big ambition on us. We will work hard because of a huge motivation and this will be translated on a high performance that will drive us to a success in our life, considering success serving our way, our personal calling. Because you will have found not what the world, our society, your family expects from you, but your will find YOUR individual purpose. The good news is that your purpose is unique and it is yours, so no one can take it away or steal it. The bad news is that you will have to work hard to find it. And in addition to hard work (that is the easy part), you will have exercise your freedom, leaving behind prejudices and fears.
How to start seeking? Where to start? My hint is: look to your talents…
servire 