© IDEO 2018

Power of
Purpose
Activities Workbook
LESSON 0

Reflection STEP 1: Write down your reflections

Reflection is core to remembering what
you’ve learned and applying those skills
to your work.
Think about what you just experienced in the “Listen: Your Purpose, Looking
Forward” meditation. Now, take five minutes to reflect and write down your
thoughts to the questions below.
What did you just see? Where were you? What was around you?

RECOMMENDED TIME
5 minutes

What impact were you having on people’s lives? What brought you joy?

IDEO U • POWER OF PURPOSE • ACTIVITIES WORKBOOK • © IDEO 2018 2

LESSON 1

See It STEP 1: Circle the lens through which you want to explore your
purpose professionally

We understand you’re most likely taking this class solo, or maybe you can’t directly REMEMBER
When finding your purpose, begin by looking
influence your team or organization’s purpose. That means focusing on your own
at the past. Don’t merely project into the The most powerful purpose
professional purpose might be best. But if you’re a leader, perhaps think bigger and is often in service of others —
future or imagine how it might show up.
focus on your team or organization’s purpose. Ultimately, you should ask yourself: people outside your own walls,
Where has it shown up already? like your customers, your
what can I do within my sphere of influence?
communities, or society at large.

RECOMMENDED TIME
30 minutes INDIVIDUAL TEAM ORGANIZATION

STEP 2: Look back to find meaning

When have you been at your best professionally? Name and sketch out four moments
(e.g., projects, scenarios) when you, your team, or your organization shone brightest.

MOMENT 1 MOMENT 2 MOMENT 3 MOMENT 4

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LESSON 1 — SEE IT

STEP 3: Who you served STEP 4: What impact you had

Pick two moments from Step 2 ­­— ones that brought you the most joy, pride, or For each group that you served, what was the impact you had on their lives?
excitement. For each, who were you serving? Maybe it was the elderly, or middle How did they benefit from your work? Capture your impact in a few sentences
class moms, or those in need. Be specific. or through a simple sketch.
MOMENT #

MOMENT #

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LESSON 1 — SEE IT

STEP 5: Why you exist

Now write a few rough purpose statements by combining Steps 3 and 4. Use the madlib below.

MOMENT #

(I/WE) EXIST TO
(Impact/Step 4)

IN ORDER TO SERVE
(Who/Step 3)

MOMENT #

(I/WE) EXIST TO
(Impact/Step 4)

IN ORDER TO SERVE
(Who/Step 3)

It’s time to stretch beyond what you’re currently doing and imagine the impact you want to have
in the future. Write a few more purpose statements.

(I/WE) EXIST TO
(Impact)

IN ORDER TO SERVE
(Who)

(I/WE) EXIST TO
(Impact)

IN ORDER TO SERVE
(Who)

IDEO U • POWER OF PURPOSE • ACTIVITIES WORKBOOK • © IDEO 2018 5

LESSON 1

Reflection STEP 1: Write down your reflections

Reflection is core to remembering what
you’ve learned and applying those skills
to your work.
Think about what you just watched in the “See It: Spotting purpose in your
work” video. Take five minutes to reflect and write down your thoughts to the
questions below.
When you look back at your last five years of work, what was your proudest moment?

RECOMMENDED TIME
5 minutes

Why do you think that is?

IDEO U • POWER OF PURPOSE • ACTIVITIES WORKBOOK • © IDEO 2018 6

LESSON 2

Name It STEP 1: Generate inspiration

What strong verbs inspire action?

REMEMBER
In the previous activity, you generated
purpose statements based on moments in time Make it active. In other words,
focus on the verb.
when you, your team, or your organization
shone brightest. Now it’s time to go even Make it epic. Rally the troops
further and generate the inspiration that will around the eternal fight.
bring your purpose statements to life. As we
Make it true. Align with identity.
said, there’s no magic formula for writing
purpose statements. It’s really all about What adversaries will you always be fighting?
repetition. And a bit of luck.

RECOMMENDED TIME
15 minutes

What’s the one-word legacy you want to leave behind?

What is your call to arms or rallying cry?

STEP 2: Circle your favorite words or phrases above

What resonates? What rings true? What makes you aspire to be better?

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LESSON 2 — NAME IT

STEP 3: Bring it all together

Look across your rough purpose statements (see Lesson 1) and inspiration, and synthesize them.
Feel free to keep using the mad lib, but don’t feel restrained by it. The best purpose statements are
clear, concise (6-12 words), and beautiful.

For example:

WE EXIST TO reimagine the automobile industry IN ORDER TO SERVE everyone, at every corner of the world.

or:

Reimagine the automobile industry for the good of all.

IDEO U • POWER OF PURPOSE • ACTIVITIES WORKBOOK • © IDEO 2018 8

LESSON 3

Do It STEP 1: Plan for the future

ONE YEAR

There’s no easy way to wrap up this class.
Even if you’re satisfied with your purpose
statement, success hinges on whether you
can bring it to life through action. We get that
it’s tough and takes time. So, here’s the deal:
We’ve designed a purpose plan for you to play
with below. We suggest that you commit to at
least one of your ideas in the next two weeks.
RECOMMENDED TIME
30 minutes
What do you want to accomplish? What bold, visible actions might you pull off? REMEMBER
Quick wins:
Small actions that show how
purpose shapes everyday
activities. They are more
achievable in the short-term,
with limited resources.
Bold moves:
Highly visible actions that
demonstrate your commitment
to your purpose. They might be
more future-focused, as they
require more buy-in, money,
ONE QUARTER and time.
What project(s) would you need to have underway in the next three months?

ONE WEEK

What email might you write? What ritual might you test?
What meeting might you hold?

IDEO U • POWER OF PURPOSE • ACTIVITIES WORKBOOK • © IDEO 2018 9

CONCLUSION

Final STEP 1: Write down your reflections

Reflection
Think about all that you just experienced in the class. Take five minutes
to reflect and write down your thoughts to the questions below. REMEMBER
What was your biggest “a-ha” moment from the class? To receive credit for class
completion, make sure to
also submit your response to
Reflection is core to remembering what
the Final Reflection on the
you’ve learned and applying those skills NovoEd platform. None of your
to your work. responses on the platform will
be shared or saved.

RECOMMENDED TIME
5 minutes

How might you start to bring these mindsets and skills to your work?

How might you bring more meaning to your work and systems around you?

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