We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. Benjamin Ritter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. Benjamin below.
Dr. Benjamin, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
In a world filled with motivational quotes and success mantras, the concept of finding one’s purpose has become a widely discussed topic. We are often told that once we discover our purpose, everything will fall into place, and we will find eternal happiness and fulfillment. But what if finding your purpose is not the end-all-be-all solution? What if it’s just the beginning of a challenging and transformative journey? This is the realization I came to when I embarked on my own quest to find my purpose.
Like many others, I believed that my purpose was a predetermined destination—a singular task or accomplishment that would define my existence. I dedicated my life to chasing this elusive goal, only to discover that I was missing the true essence of what purpose really means. It wasn’t about a specific task or achievement; it was about aligning my talents, skills, and curiosities with what I believed to be meaningful in the world.
The path to finding my purpose was not a linear one. It required me to explore different avenues, pay attention to my inner desires, and be open to new experiences. It was through this process of self-discovery that I realized my purpose wasn’t a task I needed to complete but rather a way to channel the enjoyment and meaning I found in the world.
During my journey, I learned several important lessons that no one had taught me before. These lessons reshaped my perspective on purpose and helped me cultivate a healthier relationship with it:
1) Your purpose is a concept that ignites emotions but does not make you immune to other emotions: It’s easy to assume that once we find our purpose, we will be immune to negative emotions or challenges. However, this is far from the truth. Your purpose may bring you joy, motivation, and fulfillment, but it doesn’t erase the existence of other emotions. It’s essential to accept that it’s okay to focus on other aspects of your life that require attention, even if they may seem unrelated to your purpose. Remember, you are a multifaceted individual, and your purpose is just one aspect of your identity.
2) Your purpose is not a milestone to achieve, it is a lifestyle: We often treat purpose as a milestone to achieve—a finish line we must cross. But in reality, purpose is a fluid and ever-evolving concept. It’s not something you complete or accomplish; it’s a way of living. Embrace the idea that your purpose will continue to evolve as you grow and change. There’s no rush to reach a final destination. Instead, find joy in the journey and savor every moment of exploration and growth.
3) You are in control of your purpose: It’s important to remember that you are the creator of your purpose. It’s a belief system you develop based on what you find meaningful. You have the power to redefine or let go of your purpose if it no longer serves you. Your purpose should be a tool to enhance your life, not a burden that dictates your every move. By recognizing that you are greater than your purpose, you regain control and ensure that your purpose aligns with your true self.
Ultimately, life and work are not about achieving a specific goal or crossing off a checklist of accomplishments. They are about discovering what truly matters to you and finding opportunities to engage with those aspects that bring you fulfillment, motivation, and happiness. Your purpose is not a commitment to an external force; it is a commitment to yourself—to nurturing your passions, values, and desires.
So, if you’re on a journey to find your purpose, remember that it’s not a one-time discovery but an ongoing process of self-discovery and self-care. Embrace the emotions that come along the way, cherish the journey itself, and never forget that you have the power to shape your purpose and, ultimately, your life.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
LFY Consulting, based in Chicago, IL, and Austin, TX, offers international leadership coaching, executive coaching, and career coaching services for senior leaders that feel stuck in their professional development or unfulfilled at work.
Ranging from 1:1 leadership or career coaching, and learning/talent development programs, LFY Consulting cares deeply about creating a world where work and organizations are sources of meaning.
Our clients tend to be overworked, overwhelmed, or underutilized, and lack clarity, confidence, and control over their career. They are unsure about next steps in terms of their work, doubt their executive presence, and despite professional success do not feel successful. Sample client companies have included Amazon, Coursera, Doordash, Google, Fiserv, Northwestern, Pinterest, Segment, Twilio, Zumper, and Yelp.
In short we work with individuals to develop their professional brand and executive presence (define your leadership story and approach), get clear on the work they were meant to do (create career clarity), and grow that into a meaningful career either in an organization or out on their own (we make the job you want happen).
We believe that you don’t have to go into work each day and feel like it’s not enough. We help leaders create a job they love and have confidence in their career path and themselves.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey, I believe that the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful are value alignment, commitment, and openness. If you’re early on in your career keep the following in mind:
1) Keep your values top of mind and align your actions with your core self. It’s crucial to reflect on what truly matters to you and make choices that are in line with those values. What’s so powerful about value alignment is that success and fulfillment are derived from alignment instead of “success” which can keep you motivated during tough times.
2) Commitment involves staying dedicated to your goals and seeing them through, even when faced with challenges or setbacks. When you are committed you don’t care what happens, only making something happen. The twists in the road are just information to your continued progress.
3) Openness refers to being receptive to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. It enables personal growth and fosters creativity, and allows you to adapt to the needs of your customer, market, and life.
Your commitment to developing these qualities will serve you well in your journey.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
I realized even more so that the only thing that truly matters is that we are content, and that work itself is meant to create safety, security, and more importantly, happiness. Remember to have fun, don’t take things too seriously, and that everything always gets done.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.liveforyourselfconsulting.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ritterbenj
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drbenjaminritter-leadershipdevelopment/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/benjaminritter
