For a long time, Andrew May was focused on an “extrinsic” idea of success, seeking out a nice car, a home with a water view and a public profile. But when his marriage broke down, just before he turned 40, the performance coach fell into a downward spiral and had some serious emotional unpacking to do.
With the help of a psychologist, May, now 50, asked himself some hard questions: what am I trying to do? What is my purpose? What is it that really fuels and excites me? As luck would have it, I interviewed Andrew May right before embarking on a 200 kilometre solo road trip, giving me plenty of time for deep-thinking without my usual backseat snack- and story-demanding passengers.While driving, I mused on May’s insights and listened to a podcast about purpose, and even pulled over on the side of several country roads to scribble notes.
Her purpose is something she can pursue in almost every interaction, whether it’s making eye contact with a petrol station attendant or listening to clients and helping them see themselves, so they can do something meaningful with their own lives.