Purpose Driven: The Many Seasons of Purpose Driven
By: Nathan Wertz
On my drive to and from work, I often listen to podcasts. During a recent episode, the CTE teacher being interviewed said that people shouldn’t have dreams. Instead, they need a vision with goals that support it. He clarified that dreams are abstract, but visions and goals are real. I feel that one’s purpose is similar because you need to consciously focus on what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.
As I thought about living a “purpose-driven” life, I quickly realized that purpose can change frequently. It’s rare that anyone has one sole purpose; it changes with their season of life, their weekly schedule, or even the hour of the day! The progression of life—going from early childhood, through school, becoming an adult, and taking on various roles—brings many such changes.
Not only that, but you end up balancing a lot at once! Being a parent, coaching your kid’s team, volunteering at church, serving on the local fire department—each dictates a different purpose. Even our daily activities and rhythms bring unique views and purpose to life. It might be waking early for physical activity or devotional time, interacting with coworkers, or caring for your spouse or child. But the common denominator is this: they are all commitments made purposefully to achieve a goal. Life is full of these small, seemingly minor choices that affect our purpose.
I am currently in a change of seasons—namely, my children are becoming independent and need less attention from my wife and I. This new chapter is changing my purpose and pushing me to refocus my thoughts and efforts. Our oldest daughter, Samantha, is happy in her career as a Public Affairs Specialist at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station in North Carolina. She writes articles for the base’s local publication and has even written for Navy-wide publications and MSN. Our middle daughter, Miranda, graduated high school in May, completed CNA training, and is working two jobs while she goes to college for nursing. The youngest, our son Brody, recently turned 16 and got his driver’s license, so he doesn’t need a ride every time he goes to school or his job.
These changes have given Barb and I extra time to focus on personal or joint activities and goals. For the first twenty years of marriage, our purpose was creating a home where our children learned to be self-sufficient, responsible, and respectful—all the things that make genuinely good humans. We are proud of the direction our children are heading, but redefining our purpose will take thought, communication, time, and effort.
Most of us here at Nussbaum wear many hats. As our experience broadens over time, our visions and goals keep changing. No longer are the hours consumed by simply keeping things going; we are now able to choose our personal purposes. One purpose I feel strongly about here at work is supporting and appreciating our drivers. While we know that September is Driver Appreciation Month, we don’t always realize how impactful our drivers are.
If it weren’t for them, Nussbaum Transportation wouldn’t be where it is today. According to the American Trucking Association, “Trucks moved roughly 72.6% of the nation’s freight by weight in 2022.” Our nation’s truck drivers provide convenient access to food, clothes, and other necessities that we rely on. At some point, someone had a vision for a more efficient method of transporting goods across our country. Years ago, Alden Nussbaum had a vision to create Nussbaum Transportation. We all have visions and goals. Think about your own personal and professional visions for the future, and set realistic goals to track your progress. Then, use them to create your purpose-driven life.
