A reoccurring theme throughout the many personal development and success books I’ve read is the focus on purpose.

Napoleon Hill in Think & Grow Rich suggests you must know your “definite major purpose.”

Lewis Howes in his book The Greatest Mindset, refers to your unique contribution as your “meaningful mission.”

In Robert Green’s book Mastery, he uses the phrase “life’s task” as your defined direction.

The latest version of finding one’s purpose appears in the Dan Sullivan book, 10x Is Easier Than 2x.

Along with co-author Dr. Benjamin Hardy, Sullivan calls out your “Unique Ability” as the key to making a 10x change in your life eventually leading to living your best life.

What I like about the way Sullivan frames purpose using the phrase Unique Ability, is that it belongs to only one person in the entire world. And that is why it is so special.

We need not apologize for being different. In fact, embracing what makes us unique is our superpower.

However that is easier said than society would like us to actually put into action.

We’re raised early on in childhood from the first day of school to “fit in.” And, this initially non-intentional slowly stripping away at our uniqueness eventually shapes many of us into vanilla versions of ourselves.

Yet it is our uniqueness we must lean into in order to truly live our best lives.

Sullivan writes, “Your Unique Ability is personal and internal. Therefore, it takes being honest with yourself about what you most want… You’ve got to fully bet on yourself… Committing to your Unique Ability is the hardest and most intense thing you will ever do.”

Sullivan continues, “The more you commit to your Unique Ability—which is the 20 percent of a chosen 10x jump—the more you and your life will transform”

Sullivan goes as far as suggesting that finding and developing your Unique Ability is, in fact, your life’s mission: “Your life’s objective is to develop mastery in and fully express your Unique Ability. There’s nothing more important to master. There’s nothing more important to dedicate yourself to. It’s your work. Your life’s work, and if you don’t do it, no one else will.”

The other concept Sullivan addresses is the act of going for what you want. No apologies.

Ask yourself, “What do I want?”

Not, what would l like? But, what do I want?

I want to make $100,000 a month helping one million people a day live their best life! I want to drive through Yellowstone with my family in a $200,000 rebuilt vintage 8-seater Land Rover Defender. I want the ability to earn income remotely, without the restriction of geographic location.

We all want something.

Sullivan reminds us to give ourselves the permission to pursue our wants, and fully embrace our unique self.

Finally, with a bit of a rebellious warning, Sullivan states, “individuals who have a sense of calling are more likely to ignore career advice from mentors or advisors, particularly advice suggesting more secure or mainstream options.”

This is why whenever I come across a post on social media suggesting some influencer or coach, or amazon affiliate, or drop-shipper, is making a boatload of cash each month and can teach me how, I’m not really that interested.

Of course, the amount of promised cash is tempting, but even if true, how does it align with my unique self—my purpose? It doesn’t.

Leaning into your Unique Ability, and pursuing your purpose will ultimately lead to a more rewarding and wealthy lifestyle than any get rich quick idea you see pitched on social media.

Alex Hormozi has been much more realistic as late with his posts about just how hard it is to be an entrepreneur and chase your purpose. That is why knowing your north star, your meaningful mission, your definite major purpose, your Unique Ability is so key.

What is your Unique Ability?

I would love to hear. Reply to this email, and let me know. 😊

My Mission: help one million people a day become the best version of themselves through living an Ascent Life.

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From small business owner to Executive Director, John Wojciechowski lives by 5 core tenants and is always thinking about how he can give back to others.

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