Find Your Greatest Contribution

This is the last of the three challenges Tom Rath charged us with at the 2017 Gallup® CliftonStrengths® Summit. You might be surprised what he wants you not to follow.

Rath Challenge #3:  Instead of following your passion, find your greatest contribution.

Okay, I admit, I’m still pondering this challenge.

When I first heard Rath suggest we stop following our passion, I was skeptical of what he was going to say next. I’m a passionate person full of passion, and I like to embrace passion! I’m enthusiastically excited about passion. There!

Seriously, isn’t passion a good thing? Of course it is. Isn’t it?

Passion is a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something. Why would we want to stop following our passions?

Truth be told, I’ve been pondering this concept for a long time. In fact, I’ve been on a journey of discovery for years.

True Story Ahead

“What’s my purpose?”

I began asking myself this question in my mid-thirties. At the time, I was married with three children ages 10 and younger. You’d think that was purpose enough. Yet, I felt like I was missing something.

I started asking myself more questions.

“What am I good at?” “What’s my special something?”

These may seem selfish, but they cut deep. I had a longing I couldn’t figure out. The mystery agonized me.

Therein began a search for the passion and purpose of my life.

I discovered the truest purpose of my life was to get to know God Himself and to worship Him. As I did, He did this amazing thing. He began showing me what He wanted me to contribute to His world and how I would do that.

He’s given me spiritual gifts of encouragement, teaching, and faith. He’s given me a lot of cool talents too including learning, communication, and being a socially-interactive person. I don’t just have a knack for these things. I have gifts and talents!

I discovered God decided the best way I could contribute to His world is by learning stuff that others can’t, don’t, or won’t learn. So I do it. Then I put what I learn into words (written and verbal) and communicate these practical applications and encouragement with others.

I get to uplift others through this process. No matter where I’m at or what task I’m doing, my greatest contribution is investing in developing the gifts and talents God’s given me first so that I can contribute to the development of others.

Maybe Rath and I are more similar than I originally thought. After all, that’s exactly what he’s done. I appreciate I don’t have to personally read the 400 academic journals, books, and articles he’s read even though I love learning. I’m thankful he’s shared his valuable findings in his book Eat, Move, Sleep.

Passion Vs. Purpose

I don’t think any of us can know our greatest contribution until we intentionally search for our deepest purpose and become enthusiastic about it.

This is a life-long journey. I haven’t arrived. I’m still discovering and developing. I’m just a little further down the path than I was in my mid-thirties. The difference today is I know what my purpose is. I know what path I’m on. And I’m passionate about it.

My burning passion for knowing my purpose is what drew me deeply into God’s Word and many intimate conversations with Him. I began to learn first who He is and then He revealed to me who I am.

My God-given gifts and talents weren’t discovered or developed overnight. In fact, God used many different ways over the last twenty years. I’ve taken numerous assessments including StrengthsFinder® assessment, which I highly recommend.

I’ve completed two degrees, a couple of certifications, and am currently in the midst of pursuing my Gallup Strengths® Coach Certification.

I’ve been mentored, counseled, and coached.

Some people may say, I’m also a little self-taught. I read a lot of books, attend conferences and workshops, and have joined a writer’s guild.

I believe my greatest contribution is developing my gifts and talents for the purpose of building up others, helping them development, and glorifying God. What better way to tell God you’re thankful than to invest your talents and gifts serving Him?

This all integrates together for me. My passion, talents, and gifts all help me contribute to others.

Take the Challenge

Everyone has gifts, but no one has every kind of gift.

Everyone has talents, but no one has every kind of talent.

“You have to find how your strengths contribute to the bigger world.” – Tom Rath

But first we have to discover what our strengths are.

What are you excited about? Is there a way you can positively impact those around you by your passion?

What are you putting into others? Are you noticing their talents? Are you genuinely listening to them? Do you show them they’re more important to you than your phone?

I hope you’ll do like I’ve done. Start asking that deep question of what your purpose is. Start the journey to find your talents and gifts, and then when you know what they are, use them to contribute to others.

You have today to invest in your own wellbeing and development. You have today to use your time and talents. You have today to find your greatest contribution to God’s world.

I hope you’ll take the challenge!