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How to become powered by purpose

Writer's picture: Graham SmithGraham Smith

Updated: Mar 18, 2024



It’s not all about you!


In my corner of the echo chamber there is a bit of hype around motivation Vs discipline at the moment 


The basic message seems to be: 


Motivation = useful but fleeting


Discipline = sustainable and reliable 


Both are useful and we are each naturally more inclined to rely one over the other. 


It’s also possible to increase levels of motivation or discipline using tips, tricks and hacks.


If that’s your jam, go for it. 


As usual I’m more interested in what’s going on at a deeper level. 


I say it’s more important to be conscious of your fuel.


What type of energy is fueling your motivation and your disciple?


Once you get this right, you can tap into reserves of discipline and motivation you haven't previously experienced. 


So let’s cut through the motivation/ discipline discussion and look at the 3 Types of Fuel


Ego Fuel 

We love ourselves and we want success. Even when we criticise and shame ourselves, it’s because we want to do better, for ourselves. We can get things done with this type of fuel, but it’s draining and unsustainable. 


Collective Fuel 

It feels great to help others while helping ourselves too. Being in service of colleagues, clients, friends and family. Working hard to provide for the family and creating a better life for them. There’s nothing higher than a win/ win right….


Universal Fuel 

Great leaders in business, politics, arts and spirituality are driven by a higher energy. An energy than needs no thanks and praise. With this type of fuel we aren't limited by our ego, the fear of failure or the need for results. There is a bigger picture, a grand scheme, a legacy beyond life! 


You can achieve a goal using any of these types of fuel. 


None of them are wrong, or bad, just different. 


Think of a professional or personal goal you’re pursuing right now. 


No seriously, stop for a moment and get that goal in mind if you want to get something out of this email. 


What’s your primary fuel for this goal? 


Is it for you, your individual needs and wants? (Ego)


Is it for those you care about and love, those around you? (collective)


Is it for the good of your community, society or the world at large? (Universal)  


As you move from Ego Fuel up to Universal Fuel, you will achieve goals with more creativity, flow and ease. This is a sustainable fuel.  


As you move from Universal Fuel down to Ego Fuel, the pursuit of goals creates stress, and tension. Fear and judgement are present. This is an unsustainable fuel that leads to burnout.  


If you want to be fueled by Universal energy, here’s a few tips that might help. 


  • Set aside time daily to connect with the higher purpose of your goal

  • Notice when you’re using Ego Fuel (hint; you have your own interests and reputation at the forefront here)

  • Create a mission statement that represents your goal. My mission statement is ‘to change the lives of a 1,000,000 leaders by supporting them to create a life that becomes a legacy’


In July I represented Menscircle.club at Russell Brand’s Community event and had the privilege of staying in the artists area. 


Late one evening I had a fascinating conversation with an olympic bronze medallist who is shooting for gold in 2024. 


He was a speaker at the event sharing his passion for breathwork for recovery, healing and stress & anxiety relief.  


His mission is to make breathwork mainstream in schools and support future generations to manage stress and anxiety. 


His words resonate powerfully: 


‘When I’m training extra hard and feel like slowing down, I remember the greater my success at the olympics, the bigger my platform to showcase breathwork for future generations. I imagine all the people that I will never meet or know, that might benefit from access to breathwork if I can just push a little harder in training’


This sums up the spirit of Universal Fuel perfectly. 


So, what’s your universal fuel? 


How are your goals serving your clients, your professional community or the world powerfully? Be fearless,  


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