Why Successful People Have Missions

I believe in missions. I've always had one. As a career and life coach I encourage others to find their own; however, over the last decade, I've met more students and professionals who are following the trend of collecting degrees, and simply going through the motions to "get paid."

What's missing from so many people's lives is a mission.

A mission is a calling. A mission is personal. A mission is a goal with meaning. If the mission lacks meaning, or if the meaning diminishes while in pursuit of the goal, it will eventually be abandoned. When that happens, get another one - the way that Bill Gates did.

After solving the world's computing problems with his Microsoft products, he has found a new mission in reforming education - and is making the most tangible impact of all players in that arena.

We all have a calling. Most don't answer it. Such people are distracted, or too busy working meaningless jobs to evaluate what's truly meaningful to them. Nothing distracts you from meaning like money - which is what makes Bill Gates (one of the richest men in the world) so extraordinary. He got his calling - twice - and answered it both times.

Those who flirt with their calling, and ignore their missions, are stricken by what psychologist Abraham Maslow refers to as the Jonah complex - the fear of one's own greatness, the evasion of one's destiny, or the avoidance of exercising one's talents.

It tells the story in the Hebrew Bible of a prophet named Jonah Ben Amittai who is sent by God to prophesy the destruction of Nineveh, but tries to escape the divine mission.

Not to get all biblical on you, but there's no better time to claim your mission than now. When you do, you will be able to quickly, and easily, identify others who are also on a mission because they carry themselves with greater focus, urgency, and purpose.

Those on a mission only concern themselves with what matters to them, which is what matters to their mission. Their missions enable them to align their thoughts, choices, and actions to accomplish great things.

What's YOUR mission?