We have been speaking on common misconceptions about purpose. Here is the second one we need to address:
2. You can make a good income on your big ideas
This speaks specifically about money, which means for all of us, it’s time to be real. You can’t live your purpose, no matter how good an idea, unless it can give you a return. Some say that they love what they do so much they don’t need to get paid doing it. But, if you can’t get a return on all of the work you put into your idea, you won’t be able to keep doing it. Eventually you’ll have to do something else to take care of your needs, in other words, earn some money.
To know if an idea is able to draw in good income, you will have to pursue that idea with passion and diligence to see what works and what doesn’t; then (this is key), adapt and change when necessary- even if that means dropping the idea altogether and going back to the drawing board. Your vision of your purpose will become more and more clear as you do this. Good ideas don’t make income- value and pursuit makes income. If it offers value to others and you pursue it vigorously, it will work.
It’s important, however, that you keep good ideas and purpose as separate things in your mind. Your purpose doesn’t necessarily change, but the idea or avenue you test to fulfill your purpose will need to change until it works. All to often we think HOW we go about fulfilling our purpose IS our purpose. The two are not the same.
No matter what, don’t give up on your purpose. Be resourceful, persistent and unwavering. Eventually, you will find a HOW that works.
Sometimes it’s not all about the money. Not every idea, good or bad, can be pitched to like people in Shark Tank. These kinds of ideas all have to meet certain requirements before they can be deemed as a money generating idea.