From Point A to Point B – ElPropósito4 min de lectura

A guide to understanding the value of values and purpose

Photo by Jesse Bowser on Unsplash

A journey usually begins with a need, a longing or a dream, and once we set off, imagination’s job is to picture the destination. As human beings, we live permanently in "travel mode", always assessing where we are and looking for a way to move beyond it toward a future state, mapping out routes to improve. In that first step, as we set off and point ourselves toward the destination, purpose and values play the most important role.

Looking at where we are today makes us see reality through a lens of "things could be better, I could be better, we could be better". At the same time, our ability to picture the future taps into the endless source of inspiration that sets us apart from every other animal on earth. Both kinds of clarity (the present state and the desired future state) need one ingredient that, once we’ve identified it well, makes us better: values.

Values are essential for guiding decisions in any situation. In my case, passion, courage and meaning are three personal values that guide my path on this earth. Every time I check whether I’m in tune with them, I automatically start prioritizing resources, time, clarity and so on. In the same way, organizations of every kind around the world keep making decisions in line with their values, which lets them live their business ethics and secure their long-term sustainability.

On this constant journey between point A and point B, we’re trying in some way to create more value: value that benefits us and makes us better people, and that also benefits others. At its core, it’s a change that offers a better place where we all benefit. So what makes so many decisions turn out wrong, or take us to other destinations? Partly, I think, it’s the lack of a purpose, and one step beyond that, the lack of clarity about that purpose.

The end of the year is approaching, and many decisions we made at its start may be taking us to the point B we wanted or pictured. This year has had ups and downs of every kind, and storms we never imagined. It’s in those storms, and for those storms, that purpose, values and a clear course get us to our destination. With that very clear, we may also need to invest more resources along the way (money, energy, time and others), always trusting that sooner or later we’ll get there.

Warm regards,

Rodrigo Baccaro

P.S. This week’s VELA:

• What I was Watching: Tanya Müller. This week the community of Zamorano alumni around the world was delighted to learn that our alma mater has a new president, Tanya Müller. This short video tells the story of her personal and professional journey with great clarity. I’m extremely proud that she is the first woman to lead my university, and also the first Zamorano graduate to do so. I sincerely hope her tenure keeps fulfilling Zamorano’s mission in the world and that the community connected, directly and indirectly, to this great university stays strong. If you’d like to know what Zamorano is, click this link: Zamorano.
• What I was Listening to: Bishop Barron: Word on Fire. Listening to these two titans discuss religion, the psychology behind the Bible and the meaning of life is well worth the time. I follow Bishop Barron on Instagram and I’m a big fan of his videos.
• What I was Reading: 12 Rules for Life. As I mentioned in last week’s post, a great book to close the year with, and I’ve already pre-ordered the author’s next book, coming out in March 2021.
• What I was Learning: Resilience. This video showed me how much human beings are able to endure, and also what the Covid-19 pandemic will mean in our lives. If there’s one video to watch to understand resilience, this is it.

P.S.2 Today marks two years since our second son passed away. I miss him with all my being. May God hold you in His glory, my son. I miss you, we all miss you. You reached your point B. "Y si acaso no brillara el sol, y quedara yo atrapado aquí…"

Author: Rodrigo Baccaro

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