Getting Things Done - GTD
Gaining Perspective at the Highest Altitude: Purpose and Principles
AUTHOR: Francisco Sáez
“The clarification of ultimate purpose is the primary criterion for setting priorities.” ~ David Allen
Gaining Perspective:
1. Gaining Perspective
2. Gaining Perspective Through Actions
3. Gaining Perspective at Project Level
4. Gaining Perspective from the Areas of Focus
5. Gaining Perspective Through Goals
6. Gaining Perspective at a Higher Level: Vision
7. Gaining Perspective at the Highest Altitude: Purpose and Principles
At the top level of the six levels of perspective we find Purpose and Principles, which answer the questions “why” and “how” from a deeper, almost existential perspective.
- The Purpose provides us with the necessary end goal to guide our existence or that of our company
- Principles represent the fundamental values that we use to move in that direction.
Purpose
What’s the reason why you do a certain activity? What do you want to achieve? Why do you do it?
Purpose is a concept that can be viewed at different heights. When you are developing a project or an action, purpose refers to the ultimate goal of that particular endeavor. Being clear about the purpose helps you focus on the resolution and make the right decisions to reach a good end. In this case, the purpose is achievable and, in some way, can be marked as completed or finalized. For example, you create a user guide for your application so that your customers can use your it successfully in a short time.
Rarely is the purpose of an activity expressed in a formal way, but doing so goes a long way toward clarifying the real meaning of things.
To a much higher level, purpose refers to the essence of something, its raison d’être. In this case, the purpose is not something that can be achieved or completed, but serves as a guide and direction for the functioning of a life or a company. For example, at FacileThings we develop software to help people get organized and live less stressed, so they can focus on what they consider important and enjoy their lives. This kind of purpose is never completed, it persists as a reason for being.
As with defining the vision, the purpose of a company is often determined and reviewed in meetings outside the office, with an informal touch. This type of meeting usually involves defining the organization’s mission, vision, values and long-term goals.
At lower levels, each department or functional group (product, project, process) would also have its own raison d’être, and therefore, a fundamental purpose.
Similarly, on a personal level, defining your life purpose allows you to have a clear basis for guiding your actions and priorities.
We don’t tend to think too much about life purpose unless we are going through a really difficult time when we are either unclear about how we got there or need to make important decisions about how to use limited resources. Purpose then becomes the ultimate tool for judging what’s really important and setting priorities.
The best time to think about purpose is at the beginning of any endeavor, especially if it’s going to have important consequences in your life (studying a career, emigrating to another country, getting married, acquiring a mortgage for 30 years, etc.). If you stop to clearly determine what the ultimate purpose of what you are about to undertake is, you will have the tools to evaluate options, define priorities and develop creative ideas to achieve it.
However, you must accept the fact that defining your life purpose is by no means simple and that you may even have to go through a set of circumstances, perform a set of activities or have a series of experiences before you are ready to make a formal statement about it.
Defining a purpose when you still have no clear idea of it will not benefit you. If that’s the case, the best thing to do is to try to enjoy life and learn from the experiences you can generate. Sooner or later the time will come when you will be able to express what moves you. Don’t be in a hurry.
Principles
Principles are at the same level of perspective as purpose, i.e., at the top, and have to do with your inner values. In a way, your principles guide your life, as they define what things you will tolerate and what things are not acceptable.
In business, principles determine which behaviors are critical to success. All organizations have a few, whether they are called principles, values, standards or codes of conduct. For example, “we will base our software development on the best technological innovations and recognized productivity methodologies”, “customer service must be fast and treatment must be excellent”, etc.
On an individual level, your principles will reflect what kind of behaviors you’re comfortable with and will determine your relationships with other people, both at work and in personal matters: “be honest with those around me,” “constantly improve,” “support my partner in difficulties,” etc.
It makes sense to review your values at the same time as you review your purpose and even your vision. In companies, the result of this review is often published so that all departments and employees have guidelines to follow in their operations. On a personal level, a document with a statement of your purpose and values can inspire you at many points.
Talking about principles and values is important at the beginning of any project, especially when it involves people who do not know each other and, in the worst case, when disagreements or inappropriate behavior arise. Such conversations serve to communicate the expectations and standards by which the culture of the organization, the group or even the couple should be governed.
It is always beneficial to talk about values when relationships are beginning to form, as they define the parameters for effective functioning.
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