Monday Memo 383: Less and Less and Less

Last week, my memo title was More and More and More. This week it is Less and Less and Less.  You may be thinking, "I wish he would make up his mind."  I have made up my mind and more is better but less is also better so you can do more.  Confused?  I may be, too, but to find out whether or not I am, you will have to read on.

LESS AND LESS AND LESS

Let’s think about a funnel for a moment.  A funnel is wide at the top and very narrow at the bottom so that liquids may pour into something with a small opening.  When you begin your PurposeQuest, you are at the top of the funnel. The whole world and all its options are available to you.  Then something occurs, however, and it can unnerve you and make you uncomfortable.  As you progress down the funnel of purpose, you begin to restrict your activity.  Things you once did have no meaning or you lose your enthusiasm for things you once had energy to do.  You also find that you evaluate everything you do differently.  As you go down the funnel, you find there is no energy or time to do some of those things that are no longer related to your purpose.  You find that you may actually be doing less and less and less.

You may be concerned that your life will be less meaningful if and when you get to the bottom of that fictitious funnel.  To the contrary, however, the bottom of the funnel is your place of greatest effectiveness.  It is at that point where you find what you do that no one else can do.  While it seems restrictive, that point allows God to send you anywhere in the world that needs who you are and what you do.  The narrow point is why the funnel exists; without it, there would be no purpose for the funnel.

LESS IS MORE

Perhaps an example will help.  History tells us that Mozart was a virtuoso violinist and pianist.  Rarely in history has anyone been a world-class performer with two instruments.  Mozart was so good at both that he gave up playing the violin!  Mozart knew there weren’t enough hours in the day to practice, so he decided to focus on what would serve him best as a composer.  This is what I would call the funnel effect in Mozart’s life.  Mozart's less become more, however, for he proceeded to create more of the greatest music the world has ever heard once he played and practiced less instruments. 

How about you?  Are you uncomfortable as you travel down your purpose funnel?  Does the thought of restricting your activity according to your purpose scare or concern you?  Well, don’t worry.  Where purpose is concerned, less is definitely more.  If you are willing to focus on what you do best, you can actually accomplish greater and more lasting results. 

My purpose or the bottom of my funnel is to create order out of chaos.  Armed with that knowledge, I know what I am supposed to do and I have eliminated many activities that are not related to my purpose. While I have done less, these last ten years I have done more than ever. My less has certainly led to more, and yours will, too.  Spend some time this week thinking about where you are in your purpose funnel.  You may need to abandon some activities (less), but that will give you time to do the things that you do best (more).  Have faith and continue down the funnel to your point of greatest effectiveness.  And as you do, have a great week!

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THE SOPHIA FUND:  On January 1, I launched what I am calling The Sophia Fund.  You can read my rationale for doing so here, but it is a charitable fund named after my mother that will help feed widows and orphans in Kenya and Zimbabwe.  We have already raised almost $800 and I am asking you to contribute at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more.  You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute,  or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. I am going over to Kenya in February and want to make my first donation at that time.

BIBLE STUDY:  I sent out the first two studies of my devotional studies from the gospel of John and many continue to subscribe to receive the study.  If you would like to join them, you can subscribe here. 

INVEST IN YOUR PURPOSEQUEST:  As you start 2009, why not invest some time and money in your PurposeQuest.  I am offering my Seven Steps of a PurposeQuest coaching program at the special rate of $499 (a $200 savings) from now through January 20. You can read more about it here. Write and let me know you are interested and we can work out how to make payment. 

FACEBOOK:  I continue to update my personal page on Facebook.  Check it out and let's be friends when you have a chance.  Also you can find me on Twitter @johnstanko. Go there to sign up and follow me. 

Comments

[David Thuku]

John,

These last two articles are so inspiring and question-answering!! I'm glad that you shared!

Tried to search your facebook profile but there are so many people by your name. Any other links - like location, City etc