This summer I took a step back to ask myself a question about my work, which I’ve been asking since childhood: “But, why?”
That question led me to an exercise I’d somehow never fully done before—naming, in words, my values, passion, and purpose.
It was a fun exercise. Yes, you heard that right, fun!
As a lifelong seeker and deep thinker, I’ve always been fascinated by how the world works, why we do what we do as individuals, and what moves us as a collective. (Needless to say, my brain has plenty of fodder these days… but I digress. 🙂)
So, here’s what I came up with for my answers:
- Values: Integrity, Authenticity, Creativity, Growth, Purpose, Flexibility, Soul-driven expression, Freedom of spirit
- Passion: Positive social change
- Purpose: As a social impact film producer and consultant, my mission is to support visionary, mission-minded creatives (of any medium) with the strategy and tools they need to get resourced, get their projects made, and get them out into the world to spark positive change.
Naming these out loud was clarifying. Living them out, though? Whew, that’s where the real work begins. I’m fortunate to now be in a place of great alignment. But, that didn’t happen overnight. Alignment takes strategy, planning, trial and error, (maybe a few tears), and sometimes having to let one part (like a value) take a backseat while another leads.
But when values, passion, and purpose do line up, it’s powerful. It changes how you show up in your work and in my case especially with funders, collaborators, and audiences. It gives both meaning and momentum.
✨ My wish for every visionary, mission-minded creative is to name and align these three pillars for yourself. It’s the trifecta for sustainable impact and deep satisfaction.
If you’d like to try it yourself, here’s a quick exercise:
- Values → What qualities or principles do you want guiding every choice you make in your creative life?
- Passion → What energizes you so much that, even on hard days, you can’t not pursue it?
- Purpose → If your art could shift one conversation or create one impact in the world, what would it be?
Take 10 minutes with these, and you’ll be surprised at the clarity that comes forward. I’d love to hear what emerges for you, don’t be shy.