My father once told me that when he gave a leadership talk to over fifty CEO’s in Florida, he quoted HG Wells, a historian, not a Christian, who when asked what he thought about the leadership of Jesus Christ, noted that Jesus inspired and invigorated his followers with two profound ideas: 1) The Fatherhood of God and 2) The Kingdom of God. If God is Father, could I be a child of God? If there is a kingdom in heaven, could that be my destiny?

“The doctrine of the Kingdom of Heaven, which was the main teaching of Jesus, is certainly one of the most revolutionary doctrines that ever stirred and changed human thought.” H.G. Wells.

These thoughts stimulated me so much that I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about them. I was working on my business plan at the time. As a result I developed nine questions that I used as the foundation of the vision and mission of my business. I have found them to be most provocative and useful for discovering one’s purpose and passion.

They are:

1. Who am I? (identity question)
2. Where am I going? (destiny/vision question)
3. What am I working on? (mission/purpose question)
4. What do I want to leave behind? (legacy question)
5. What worthwhile sacrifices am I making? (values/heart question)
6. For whom? (love question)
7. Why? (motivation question)
8. Have I decided to be successful? (commitment/reality check)
9. Am I willing to do something different, whatever it takes? (flexibility check)

I speculated that a materialist might answer the nine questions this way:

1. Who am I? I am merely a collection of atoms, at best, a sophisticated economic animal
2. Where am I going? I am heading toward worms and dirt, six feet under.
3. What am I working on? My mission is to produce and consume. I’m really not valuable otherwise.
4. What do I want to leave behind? I will leave behind some clothes, furniture, other miscellaneous things and some bad smelling gas.
5. What worthwhile sacrifices am I making? If I make any sacrifices at all they will be for me (and mine)
6. For whom? Me (and mine)
7. Why? It probably will not matter that much to anyone else.
8. Have I decided to be successful? Maybe but does it really matter much in the end.
9. Am I willing to do something different, whatever it takes? Maybe yes, maybe no.

They are not very inspiring answers. Now consider how your heroes might answer.

Just before winning his seventh consecutive Tour de France title in 2005, Lance Armstrong might answer:

1. Who am I? I’m the best world class biker ever born
2. Where am I going? I’m going to France to win again with my team
3. What am I working on? I’m working on my performance, endurance, speed and health. At my age I must find innovative ways to improve my training regime
4. What do I want to leave behind? I’m going to leave behind an unbeatable record of wins
5. What worthwhile sacrifices am I making? I’m doing whatever it takes
6. For whom? I’m doing it to prove something
7. Why? For me and my team
8. Have I decided to be successful? Yes! I have decided to be successful. Again.
9. Am I willing to do something different, whatever it takes? Yes! I am willing to do something different, starting with training an older body.

Jesus, arguably the greatest leader the world has known, gave his disciples new ideas, inspiration and vigor.

Jesus might answer these questions like this:

1. I am the Son of God my heavenly Father and Son of Man.
2. I am going to prepare a place for you to enjoy the beatific vision with my heavenly Father.
3. I have come to save the whole damned world.
4. I leave behind my tunic, some burial cloths, an empty tomb, an incredible legacy of peace, my Holy Spirit, an inspiring vision, a powerful mission, amazing principles and enduring values to live by and healing and forgiveness that provides an opportunity for friendship with God.
5. I sacrifice my whole self daily.
6. For the world.
7. To save the world.
8. It might not look like success initially, but I have decided to be faithful to my Heavenly Father’s will.
9. I am radically different in my essence by definition of who I Am.

If you wrestle with these nine questions honestly, you may not have to spend a fortune on an MBA to find new inspiration and energy and direction for your business or career. Answering these questions can help you find your passion and purpose! How do you answer these questions? Call me. I’d like to hear from you.

“Self knowledge is powerful, but you’ve got to turn on the switch of enthusiasm.” Bits and Pieces

Permission to reprint is granted, provided the following text is included:  ©2007 Paul Esch. All Rights Reserved.  Phone: 651-501-7979 www.breakthroughbusiness.net