Ever notice what happens when you gather a group to complete a task? With a challenge and a common goal people become energized and mobilized, it brings out their best.

I am watching my son and a group of people working on his gym. Moving and assembling equipment, designing and laying flooring to improve the space he and his two partners opened just a few months ago. It struck me while watching them the fascinating dynamics that occur when people come together and are bonded by a purpose and mission. You have no doubt seen it countless times: often it is a group moving or building something, putting their heads together to design a plan and working tirelessly together to make it happen. Or planning and organizing an event, designing and implementing everything to the smallest detail. Pulling together as a team, each eager to contribute to the clear task and goal. On a larger scale think of the bonding and teamwork after a crisis or traumatic event. In these times when there is something bigger than the individual at stake or there is a clear problem or challenge that requires action we often see the very best in people. Most people want to be involved, crave being useful and helpful and truly excel given a goal to work for that they can believe in. They are happy to answer the call to pitch in. Purpose. Mission. Meaning.

How is this also true in our individual personal lives? Do you find yourself to be more focused and successful when you have a clearly defined task or goal? Maybe you are at your best when the stakes are high or you are facing a deadline? Most people function best when they have a clear goal, an understanding of what they are to do and why as well as the feeling that what they do matters and contributes. When we find that elusive but magical combination: mission, purpose and meaning we will inevitably also find deep satisfaction and real lasting happiness.

So, what drives your life? For many this is a difficult question. But what might we accomplish and how might we feel if we had the answer and the energy and direction that comes with it? Knowing what is most important to you, having clear goals to strive for and are meaningful to you will bring out your best as well as set the foundation for a richly satisfying life.

For those that are uncertain or still looking for their mission and purpose start by making that your mission: to discover it. Take some time for self-reflection. Think about the times you felt at your best and the activities you most enjoy. Reevaluate your values and priorities and start to find the threads of meaning as well as the strengths and talents that are individually yours. These things will begin to take shape and can then be built upon to define your mission and purpose which is the foundation for setting meaningful goals.

What brings out our best as a group; a desire to achieve a common goal, to contribute, accomplish and make a difference also brings out the best in our own lives. All you have to do is ask: you are eager to answer the call, to be energized, mobilized and be your best.

Julia Skeesick, CPC. ELI -MP
Certified Personal Development Coach and owner of LifeScape partners with clients to discover their mission and purpose, set and achieve goals to design a life they love. She offers private and group coaching as well as workshops to facilitate self discovery and growth in all aspects of life.
Learn more about Julia and LifeScape at http://www.lifescapesite.com/ or call 630-465-0607

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There is this popular saying, "Two heads are better than one." Whoever coined the saying must have had experience on the power available to tap from talents of more than one individual in trying to solve problems.

This apt saying equally applies in the pursuit of wealth, fame or recognition in life. It is simply not possible for one man to have the solution to all problems. He needs the co-operative effort of others, whether their time, talent or other resources.

For the purpose of this piece, we limit it to talents. In a study conducted in a University on students of a particular class, five of the most academically intelligent students of the class were separated to form study groups.

Three of the students were to study together throughout that semester while the other two students were to read individually on their own. At the end of that semester, the three students who studied as a group had better grades than the other two who studied individually.

The study showed that if two or more persons are united together with a definite purpose or mission, they are able to come up with solutions and achieve results faster than if they tried it individually on their own.

In your pursuit of genuine wealth or achievement in any field, you need the co-operative effort of others, particularly their mind power.

Note that the people with whom a group is formed MUST be united in vision and purpose; otherwise confusion would result when they are at cross purposes and this would defeat the aim of the group.

This is one reason why musical groups usually break up with their members pursuing solo careers. They were never united with a vision and purpose. Some members had their plans in their minds and were able to leave easily to carry on on their own.

Some may want to argue that at times those who pursue solo careers from such musical groups also do well. But let us not forget that the work is not done by such a person alone.

He or she still needs the co-operative efforts of others in his or her vision before the world notices that such individual has become a success.

Great achievers and exceptional leaders are able to produce better results in their fields because they surround themselves with people who are united and whose vision aligns with theirs.

The value of surrounding oneself with people who are united in purpose and vision cannot be over-emphasized. Even sacred scripture attests to this fact in the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 verses 1-6.

In verse 6 it is written (Good News Bible), "And the Lord said, See, they are all one people and have all one language; and this is only the start of what they may do: and now it will not be possible to keep them from any purpose of theirs."

Even if you have to start on your own with your vision in life, at a time you would surely need the co-operative effort of others if you have a very large vision. The bigger the vision the more one needs others to be able to achieve it.

Again, remember, such group must be united in vision and purpose. I really need to emphasise this particular point. If you doubt what I've just said, please take a study of the reasons behind all successful organisations.

One thing you would SURELY find common to all of them is unity of purpose and vision of staff. Very important!

? copyright Gabriel Ama