I just finished reading (for the 2nd time) Lewis Howes book, “The Greatness Mindset: Unlock the Power of Your Mind and Live Your Best Life Today,” as I fully dive into the information he presented in the book. In Chapter 10, “Finding Your Identity,” there was a section in that chapter that I’ve been obsessing over the past couple of days. In it, he talks about the “fuel” that drives your actions.
When he was younger, his fuel was self-centered: “out to prove people wrong” (yep, been there). As he has gotten older, his “fuel” moved to “serving others from a place of pure love.” He then used this question to define his fuel: “How can I collect wisdom from experts to improve my life and deliver it to others so they can become better version of themselves?”
Before I answered the question for myself, I decided to first define the meaning of “fuel,” since that seems important. And here’s what I found:
The word “fuel” refers to the core energy source, motivation, and sustained internal drive that powers a person’s life purpose and actions. It is the essential, internal force that moves you from simply existing to actively pursuing your deepest calling.
“Fuel” represents in that context:
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- Core Motivation: It is the foundational “why”—the intrinsic reasons that compel you to act, even when things are difficult. This is deeper than fleeting ambition; it’s the stable, long-lasting motivation for your commitments.
- Values and Beliefs: It includes the core values, deeply held beliefs, and passions that you refuse to compromise. These elements provide the moral and emotional energy required to sustain long-term effort.
- Sustained Energy: Just as an engine needs constant fuel, the “fuel” here is what ensures you don’t burn out or quit. It’s the source of resilience, consistency, and passion that keeps you aligned with your purpose over years, not just weeks.
- Purpose and Meaning: Ultimately, the “fuel” is the sense of meaning you derive from your work and your identity. This meaning is what makes the sacrifice, discipline, and effort worthwhile.
In summary: “Fuel” is the vital, non-negotiable elements—the passion, values, and vision—that sustain your mission and allow you to fully embody the person you are meant to be.
Reading books like “The Greatness Mindset” provides the inspiration, the “fuel,” for me to come up with ideas to create useful activities, tools, and resources to improve my life, to help others improve their lives, then do the same for others.
The question then becomes, “What is the “fuel” that drives you?” Post your answer in the comments.
Bill, this is a timely question because for years I have been heavily invested in helping people to enter and succeed in the IT industry. The prospects in this area are looking dim as big tech is laying off folks around the world. I had done some deep work several months back to uncover my Massive Transformative Purpose (MTP) that has since evolved to “Empowering people to thrive in a digitally transformed world leveraging the infinite resource of creativity”. As I learned from you, it’s about discovering your meaningful work that helps you uncover your Purpose, for which you need this “fuel”.
This is an awesome reflection, Kevin. Makes me wonder if it’s time to add an entrepreneurial component to your training, since there are so many layoffs.