The Advisor's Edge: Being guided by either Pressure or Purpose
Focus determines your Future
Mark Twain said it best:
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
Many of the major events in our lives are outside our control: where and when we were born, who our parents are, our nationality, and even our DNA—just to name a few.
But you were born for a purpose. And finding that purpose will help define your focus.
Living a life driven by purpose—rather than being shaped by external pressures—leads to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.
True happiness and satisfaction come not from chasing validation, but from understanding and living out your why.
Purpose and values are not static. They need to grow.
Life experiences, personal growth, and shifting priorities shape how we define our purpose and what we choose to value.
What once felt deeply meaningful may fade, while new experiences bring different priorities into focus.
Consider this:
Centuries ago, wealth was measured by the amount of livestock and farmland one owned.
Today, wealth is more often defined by the number of shares, properties, or assets accumulated.
Pressure can cloud your vision. It shifts your focus from purpose to problem-solving—trading meaning for stress.
But relationships—with family, friends, community, and faith—are the true bedrock of value.
The world says, “He who dies with the most toys wins.”
No. He who dies with the most toys… still dies.
There are no U-Hauls behind a hearse.
Your focus and purpose come into view through two powerful lenses:
Your skills and your passions.
I love finance, writing, astronomy, and cooking. I thrive in these areas because I have both the skill and the passion for them.
You have your own unique combination—ones that probably came to mind as you read this.
They are clues to your purpose. They shape your voice and define your message.
When you write from that place—where your skills and passions align—you relieve pressure, reclaim purpose, and help others along the way.
It always starts with giving first.
Not just giving time or attention, but sharing real content—stories, tools, or wisdom—that have the power to change lives.
John Leland, a New York Times reporter, spent a year following six New Yorkers over the age of 85. Their lives became the subject of his book on happiness—and he says they became his friends.
Leland noticed something powerful: those who held on to a sense of purpose thrived because of their focus and flexibility.
“They believed that purpose was something you create, not something you find,” he reflected.
“And happiness is the same—it’s something already within you. You have to tap into it, recognize it, and cultivate it, rather than waiting for it to appear.”
The same is true for you.
Stay focused on your skills and passions.
Use them intentionally in your writing.
Let them anchor you. They will lift pressure and build purpose.
Stay encouraged.
Don’t quit—your story is still being written.
Fulfill your purpose.
Until next time,
David