Withdrawal Syndrome
According to the National Library of Medicine: “Withdrawal syndromes occur when the body responds to the reduction or cessation of a substance after prolonged use, indicating physical dependence.”
I believe that we all have had a mild form of “Withdrawal”… at some point.
Take my situation for example.
I once binged-watch on Netflix… I watched “Breaking Bad”. Every episode has a cliffhanger… making me press the “Next Episode” button.
When I had completed watching the whole episodes of all seasons… I felt something weird! Suddenly, there was no “Next Episode” button to click!
I had some sort of a “Withdrawal”… I suddenly lost a “Purpose”.
After several days, I found another series to watch.
I’ve found a new “Purpose”!
Well… that was kind of a lame, superficial, “Purpose”… but it illustrates a sense of “Purpose”!
Purpose is that thing that acts like a “magnet”… pulls you towards it…makes you feel “alive” and “excited”. Right? You feel me?
You are doing what you love.
Let’s take it to next level… less superficial…another example.
Place: Paris, France.
Time: Olympics, 2024.
The Philippines – for the first time – had its National Anthem played at the Olympics… not once… but twice! Carlos Yulo, a Filipino Gymnast made that happen… he got 2 Gold medals.
The story of Carlos is interesting… you’ve got to look him up.
That’s what I did… searched him up on YouTube.
What I stumbled upon was that he had a Japanese Coach of long time ago (2013)… way before the Paris, France, Olympics happened… when he was a promising Olympic Gymnast… (well, that was per his Japanese Coach’s assessment back then when he saw Carlos).
So, I searched up about his Japanese Coach, coach Munehiro Kugimiya.
Coach Kugimiya himself was once a rising and promising Olympic Gymnast. But he suddenly got injured. his gymnastics career came to an abrupt end.
His “Purpose” of being an Olympic Gymnast came to an abrupt end.
He, I believe, experienced some form of “Withdrawal”… he suddenly lost his “Purpose”.
Long story short, when he saw the potential of Carlos Yulo – that was when he was sent to the Philippines by the Japan Gymnastics Association – he found his “Purpose”… a “purpose” that pulls him in like a magnet (that “Purpose” was not disclosed).
And he had a Vision that someday, Carlos will be an Olympic gymnast. And Carlos could be an inspiration to all Filipino kids.
What must he do to help make that long-term Vision a reality? A lot of short-term “Missions”… like raising funds — coach Kugimiya went to various schools and associations to ask for support and convincing them, one after another.
Coach Kugimiya also took Carlos to Japan to train.
He became both a coach and a parent to Carlos whilst in Japan.
The rest is history… Carlos, a 2-time Olympic Gold medalist in Paris, France!
Wow! The power of Purpose and Vision… and Mission… in action.
What is your” Purpose”? What is your Vision? What are your Missions?
Missions are the short-term things that you must do to fulfill your long-term “Vision”; Vision is the thing that you must do to fulfill your “Purpose” (reason for existence).
Make sure that you have a “Purpose” — however long-lasting or fleeting that “Purpose” is — that gets you going… that pulls you in… that makes you click the “Next Episode” button.
When that “Purpose” is gone or not relevant anymore — and yes, you might feel some sort of a “Withdrawal” — find another “Purpose”.
That “Withdrawal” feeling is a sign that something is missing in your life…. the one that pulls you forward… one that turns you on… that switches you on… feeling alive!
Exercise for you:
What: Relate this “Purpose and Vision” at work… and at home.
Why: If you can mirror this to your life, like an analogy, this becomes more meaningful (i.e., useful and interesting), your understanding of this becomes more profound, and it sticks!
Make it actionable: How can you apply this “Purpose and Vision” at work… and at home?
This blog post is an extension of my book “Unleash The Power Of SAFe 6.0 With Values-Driven Culture” available now on Amazon. Empty your cup to get more… much, much more content for you to consume and to share.
