Kevin W. McCarthyThe On-Purpose Person: Making Your Life Make Sense

I got this book on the recommendation of Seth Godin's blog, which is one I follow religiously. I find his recommendations have always taken me to things that I need or find value in for my life. I'm also a reader who has always enjoyed books written in a "real-life/fable" fashion, like many written by Ken Blanchard and Andy Andrews. I find I can glean things from what the character learns in those books that apply to my own life.I read the book during a trip I took, the trip being partly for business, and partly just as a time away following a death in my family that had left me wondering how to move forward in life. Two years before, I found myself being "downsized" from the job I always believed I would retire from. I'm also a person who has spent years trying to figure out that elusive "life balance" question.Could you identify your purpose in life with just two words? In the past few years I've used a popular method of not setting New Year's Resolutions, but picking three words that will define my year. And while that's been useful to guide the year, I found myself wondering what if you had those two words for your entire life? How would it change things? And now I know.What I found is a wonderfully insightful book that gives you a new way of looking at life. I've see a lot of reviews here that talk about it just being an old version of "goal setting," however, I found it to be much more than that. It's not tough to create goals and then go about figuring out how to make them happen. It's tougher to align your life with your true purpose and be sure that everything you do connects to that purpose. Kevin's process and worksheets guide you through the process of discovering that purpose and applying it across every section of your life. It is a book I have since recommended to many of my friends.I encourage you to take the time to read it, not read 5 pages or 10 pages and decide it's not for you, but really read it and do the work. I do believe it will give you clarity, focus, and change in how you do things in life. What I am learning as I apply this work in progress to my own life is the clarity that is developing is leading to a better sense of who I am, my own purpose in life, and new ways to be sure that I am in the zone with that purpose. That in itself is much more than simple goal setting and I believe will lead to a feeling of fulfillment that the things I do and focus on really matter.Would I say the book is "life changing"? I'm still a work in progress, yet what I am experiencing so far is that yes, it is beginning to shape my life differently. In applying the principles and really doing the work, I am finding more clarity, less confusion, and am on my way to believing that life is truly focused around the things that make a difference.

If you have a purpose you probably already know how it adds meaning to your life and adds joy to others too. If you still are looking for your purpose this book will help you feel in touch with your dreams and true self. We all love stories and this book is like a modern parable. The author asks a lot of important questions like "Why are you here?"Basically the story is about a successful man who feels like he is no on purpose and seeks guidance from a professor who sets him up with a lot of personal coaches who guide him to finding the reason he is alive.I think if you are open to it God will show you your purpose and it probably has something to do with helping other people. This book just provides a little extra help and methods you can use to uncover what you are supposed to be doing in this life. I have applied some of the advice in this book to my own life and it does work. Once you know your purpose you will be a lot happier. If you already know your purpose this book still reveals how you found it and it can give you ideas for how to help other people find their purpose.~The Rebecca Review

I picked up this book at the beginning of the year after reading rave reviews in hopes but not truly expecting it to help my mindset. Each year I set goals and though I may accomplish one or two..generally the next year I am setting the same goals.By the time I had completed the first half of the book my way of thinking had changed. I completed the exercises as I read the book.You begin by listing your goals. Then you decide which is more important and finally which is MOST important. It seems so simple yet the way the author teaches you to do this gave me greater success than other methods.I was really surprised to find what my most desired goal was. I thought it was something else. But by following the exercises I realized a I had a strong desire to accomplish another goal I never realized was the most important to me. Next you work towards accomplishing your goal.McCarthy uses the image of a light switch. If you are switched on you are working towards your goals. Conversely if you are not you are not ON PURPOSE.Within days I was accomplishing tasks to help me achieve many of my goals! An excellent book and most highly recommended!

If you are ready to get focused for the first time or re-focused for the second, third, fourth time or more, "The On-Purpose Person" is THE BEST system I have discovered in over 30 years of study, research, and writing on how to take leaders and teams To a Higher Level (my company's name) of success and significance. Buy it. Read it. Use it. Read it again. And again. And again. You'll be transformed and living a life of significiance - not mere success.My "On-Purpose Person" story: 15 years ago, My speaking and book writing business was stalling until I read "The On-Purpose Person." Kevin's insights, system, and character-based process not only transformed how I live but how I work (via "The On-Purpose Business." Kevin sent me an invitation to downloaded the Kindle edition earlier this week, and I did. I reread it (for the first time in 8-9 years), and guess what - it has inspired me AGAIN to travel the process AGAIN, to refine my On-Purpose Plan. Frankly, it was the PERFECT TIME for me because (hate to admit Kevin) I confess I have lately been living and working off-purpose. Not anymore! I am back on-purpose and certain am again living in significance. Thank you again, Kevin. You continue to impact my life.

Looking forward to applying the insights in this amazing book. There are some religious connotations (I’m agnostic), but looking past that it’s a framework for evaluating what you want out of life and how to achieve it by assessing and re-evaluating your purpose. Clear, practical advice wrapped up in a relatable story.

A lovely little book that brings together the concepts of Vision, Mission, Values and Purpose in an engaging story with practical guidance in how to apply each.

A very practical book that prompted me to change the way i did day to day things.Would highly recommend.

I think it is a book everyone should read.