Introverts who know and act on their life purpose will discover that they have more energy and find it easier to fight for what they believe in. We usually find it easier to get involved in things we are passionate about. Our passion is connected to our purpose. But what is passion? “A strong and barely controllable emotion.” Wikipedia Think about the introverts you know. Does this describe them? I know it doesn’t describe me although I have been known to be passionate about certain things. Usually things I’m passionate about are tied to my values: Community (including family and friends) Health (making exercise and diet a priority) Justice (speaking up when I see something morally or ethically wrong) Spirituality (recognizing that we are all connected) I started my career as a social worker and found myself speaking up and trying to make changes for seniors living in long term care. Back then some of the care homes were dirty, cramped and never had enough staff. The seniors who lived in these homes were vulnerable and more often than not had no voice. And these homes were often run for profit so instead of funneling profits back into the residences they were given to shareholders and owners.  Shareholders need a return on their investment but not at the expense of vulnerable people. How are passion, purpose and energy linked? What are you passionate about? What gets you up in the morning? You might be passionate about your family or about creating something beautiful. But if you look around your community you’ll see many areas that could use your help. The plight of seniors is just one concern. The number of problems that need addressing seems to grow daily: workplace safety, crowding in schools, bullying, environmental degradation, homelessness, drug addiction and on and on. In order to discover your purpose you may want to find a quiet place in order to reflect on what’s important to you.  Ask yourself when do I feel most alive? What am I doing? Who am I with? Some of us feel more alive outside in nature. Others when they are creating something like music or art or cooking or baking. Or helping others thrive You may know right away what your values are or this may take a bit of time. If you don’t know what your values are just yet and want to spend some time reflecting on what is important to you there are numerous websites and tools available on the internet. And how is all of this tied to leadership? Think about the leaders that you admire. Do you ever wonder how they do what they do? How they find the energy to fight for what they believe in day after day. Where do they get their energy from? Leaders such as Greta Thunberg, Barack Obama, Malala Yousafzai, Volodymyr Zelensky and Bonnie Raitt.  Some are outspoken leaders and some are quiet but they all feel passionately for what they believe in. Being a leader whether paid or voluntary can be tough. This is especially true for introverts as being in charge or leading a team will probably test you and zap your energy. Being involved in work you enjoy or find challenging in a positive way will help boost your energy. It will also make it easier for you to speak up. “When we are engaged in something we feel passionate about, it is easier to excel…and speak up.” Richard J. Leider. How Do You Find Your Purpose?  This brings us back to where we started. Do you know your life purpose? There are hundreds if not thousands of books and websites devoted to this topic. Here’s a practical book to get you started: The Power of Purpose: Creating Meaning in Your Life and Work was written by Richard J. Leider and published in 1997. A long time ago but the book is still a best seller.