If I could model one attribute of those successful people I admire most, it would be this: a clear Purpose/Direction.

It seems that very few truly achieve their dreams. Why? Some would say it is primarily a lack of self-discipline that holds them back, or the inability to persevere. Still others would claim a lack of talent or education. But what really prevents us from living out our “purpose”? I ran across a quote the other day that brought clarity to this difficult question for me:

“You never know what a man can do until he’s been given sufficient incentive to strive to his utmost to bring out the God-given abilities within him.” - James F. Lincoln (founder of Lincoln Power Co.)

Sufficient Incentive is what we lack … in other words, we don’t achieve our dreams because we haven’t yet discovered our dreams! We have yet to be set on a rewarding course because we’re so busy focusing on the “how” of life that we never truly explore our compelling “why”. I believe that discovering this “why” is the secret to fully unleashing that unbridled potential residing within each of us. Until we have an incentive strong enough to ignite our spirit, we will continue to beat ourselves up for not following through, hang our heads because we quit too soon, or find excuses for not achieving. On the other hand, when our purpose is revealed, self-discipline no longer acts as a stumbling block, rather it becomes our fuel … and failure is no longer an option.

So how do we discover and ultimately achieve our purpose, this “Sufficient Incentive”? C.S. Lewis shares in The Weight of Glory that maybe it’s because our desires are not too strong, but too weak.

“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” - C.S. Lewis

Take five minutes to just close your eyes and ask God to reveal to you a specific area of your life where you’ve been settling for anything less than “a holiday at the sea”. Don’t focus on how you will change, only focus on why. Begin writing down those things that bring you joy and stir your emotions.

Brian Biro, a leader in possibility thinking and author of The Joyful Spirit, gives four great daily questions that have helped me walk this path of discovering my driving purpose:

  1. What’s my most important next step?
  2. What kind of example am I committed to become today for those who depend on me and look to me for leadership and guidance?
  3. What am I truly grateful about in my life today?
  4. How will I increase my service to others today?

Paste them on your bathroom mirror. Just like building muscles, do this exercise consistently, and you will begin to see your own “Sufficient Incentive” develop and unfold.

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