Spark 20 – How to think more strategically: Purposeful Thinking: Insights

Did you know that the origins of the word ‘purpose’ are French and have the connotation of and intentionality and ambition? For purposeful thinking you need both forms – a higher goal and ambition. The first sets direction, the second ignites action.

Let’s venture into the realm of outer space, shall we? Imagine you’re at the helm of a space craft embarking on a mission to Mars. You’ve got all the technical know-how, from trajectory computations to the specifics of Martian soil composition. But why are you going to Mars in the first place? That ‘why – the answer to that question – is your purpose.

Having a purpose in this context is like deciding not just to reach Mars, but to do so in a way that benefits humankind. Maybe it’s a quest for alternate living spaces as Earth reaches its carrying capacity, or perhaps you’re seeking to unlock the secrets of life’s existence elsewhere in the cosmos.

That core purpose will guide every strategic decision you make. It will determine what equipment you take, which crew members are selected, and even how you’ll engage with Earthlings following you from afar.

Your spacecraft will undoubtedly encounter obstacles – meteor showers, equipment failures, or unanticipated gravitational pulls. But because you and your crew are rooted in your purpose, these will become problems to solve, not reasons to quit. The strategic moves you make aren’t just about dodging asteroids; they’re steps towards fulfilling a grander vision. So, in the quest for Mars, just like in strategic thinking, remember: It’s not just the ‘how’ or the ‘what’, it’s the ‘why’ that charts the course to truly transformative journeys.

Purposeful thinking, or what some might relegate to the realm of’ being intentional’, has been frequently underestimated when discussing strategic thinking. But don’t be fooled; this is no superficial concept.

Purposeful thinking is the bedrock of meaningful strategy. It’s like DNA— individual genes may be small, but together they determine the life, health and longevity of the organism.

Here’s the crux. Many organisations see themselves as ‘purposeful’ because they have a social or environmental mission or problem to solve. Yet they meander along without a compass, relying on faith, a charismatic leader or their past goals and hoping that they’re broadly going in the right direction.

Without purposeful thinking they may resist change or be captivated by whatever is shiny and new. Jumping from one project to the next, they’re prisoners of happenstance rather than architects of destiny.

But when you incorporate purposeful thinking into your strategic outlook, you develop a laser focus on your end goals. You delineate not just a roadmap, but also the ‘why’ behind each point on that map.

At the end of the day, people may not remember exactly what you did, or how you did it, but they will always remember why you did it. So, let’s not just go through the motions. Let’s be deliberate, let’s be purposeful, and let’s achieve something extraordinary.

To further understand the benefits of purposeful thinking, let’s look at how it works in the real world.

When Food for All, a nonprofit organisation combating hunger in urban communities, took a step back to reconsider its purpose, an incredible transformation began. For years, they were involved in just food distribution, but after adopting a purposeful thinking approach, they asked themselves the golden question: ‘Why are we doing this?’

Their strategic planning underwent an overhaul. The newfound purpose was no longer just about handing out food, but enabling self-sufficiency in communities. Every program, every initiative, had to line up with this purpose. It wasn’t long before their reach expanded into educational workshops on sustainable farming and financial literacy.

Within two years, the number of people empowered to grow their food tripled. Financial donations rose by forty per cent, and volunteer engagement increased because people were more attracted to a clearly articulated purpose.