If you’ve watched my TED Talk, you’ll know what I mean by “shift.” It’s about first becoming aware and then consciously choosing a belief system that will better serve you. Think of it as flipping your mindset to let go of what’s holding you back so you can move closer towards what you’re meant to do and who you’re meant to be. It’s a journey, not a destination, and these shifts will depend on factors like what life stage you’re in, or where you are on your career path.

Over the past 19 years, I’ve made a LOT of shifts—some small, some huge—which have helped get me where I am today. And at a certain point, when many of us have “made it” in terms of a career or a financial status, it’s easy to get complacent and think that making more shifts don’t apply to us.

But, I’m here to tell you about one of the most important shifts you can make. It’s necessary. It’s defining. And, it’s been life-changing for me in my own journey.

Make the Shift from PAYCHECK to PURPOSE

Shift from Money to Mission. Or, shift from a Career to a Calling. Choose your semantics.

So many people are spending the majority of their life at work. Here’s some startling facts:

• Americans spend an average 90,000 hours at work in a lifetime
• 87% of them have no passion for their jobs
• 80% of U.S. Workers are not satisfied with their jobs

It doesn’t really matter how much money you’re making because I’ve found that if you focus only on your career or the paycheck, and it’s not tied to a purpose, the reality is… you’re not happy.

I literally get hundreds of DMs flooding my social channels from people who watched my TED Talk, resonated with the message and reached out to say they’re unhappy or unfulfilled. And, it can’t all be because of the money. I mean, don’t we all know people who are flat broke but insanely happy? How about those who are insanely wealthy but completely miserable? The bank balance is not the solution to long-term happiness. Then there’s those who are stuck in the middle, and they’re not miserable but they’re also not happy.

I’ve heard it said that the three most addicting things in the world are:

1. Drugs
2. Sex
3. 9-to-5 Jobs

When you need to depend on a 9-to-5 job, you can get stuck in the day-to-day. It becomes routine. And, it’s often easier to stay stuck then to branch out and make a change.  

I believe one of the most life-changing shifts we can make is to shift focus from money to mission. From paycheck to purpose.

Here’s my own definition of what it means to have purpose:

PURPOSE: To use the gifts and talents we’ve been given to positively impact the people around us and the places we live

We all have a similar purpose (‘our Why’), which is essentially making an impact and serving others.

Of course, since we all have different skills, the ‘How’ we create impact is different, but the calling or purpose we have is generally the same.

Once you make that shift from paycheck to purpose, everything changes.

• You’re much happier and more fulfilled.

• Because you’re more excited, you start putting more time and energy into what you’re doing, without feeling like it’s actual work.

• Your mindset shifts from work being something you ‘have to’ do, to something you ‘get to’ do.

‘Have to’ = Job, Money, Paycheck

‘Get to’ = Purpose, Mission, Calling

• You then have better results. 

Your energy is different. Your commitment is different. And because of that, your results are different.

I think it’s impossible for people to be aligned with their purpose, put in time and energy into leveraging their gifts and talents and NOT get the results they want. Consistently spending time on using your talents leads to results. It also helps spiritually; if you’re doing what you’re ‘meant to’ do, the world opens up more and attracts the right people and opportunities.  

Unfortunately, most people go through life not making that shift. Instead, they chase money. They focus on a career, not a calling. A paycheck, not a purpose.

Make the shift.

For those of you who have already made that shift and are pursuing your passion and purpose, I’m curious to know what your results have been. Let me know in the Comments.