Qualities, Purpose, Needs: Using the QPN Model to Find Your Life Purpose

We are all blessed with special talents; some apparent and some not so apparent. Some of us appear more gifted than others; none-the-less we are all unique in miraculous ways. We are singers, dancers, scientist, writers, doctors, lawyers, designers, teachers, counselors, actors, entrepreneurs, inventors, brick layers, stone masons….and the list goes on and on and on. The hard part in our journey to discover our unique gifts is the realization of exactly what they are. Once known to us, we must embrace them wholeheartedly as our contribution to the world! A solid clue to uncovering our gifts is listening to what other people compliment us about, which gives us the insight into our personal "talent pool." For example, suppose someone says to you, “Oh, you are such a great writer” or “I really value you as a friend,” or, “You work so well with people, you must be a people person.” The notion that others may "see" us more clearly than we do ourselves is a truism, so pay close attention when others share a kind word. It is important to recognize, accept, use, and build on our talents. In my case, people tell me I am a strong networker, catalyst, motivator and interviewer. Over the years, I have tried to nurture those gifts, knowing that internal and external success will come when I honor what is given to me. I also believe that raw talent coupled with hard work is an unstoppable combination. I have developed a model to answer the question: “Am I on the right path?” It is called the QPN Model which helps match your personal and professional qualities to the needs of others. Each letter represents a key component in the QPN Model. Q stands for ualities, which are the qualities you bring to the situation such as empathy, competence and efficiency. The P stands for purpose, which is your purpose in working with the other person or group. The N represents the needs of your clients in a business setting or your friends and family in a personal setting. My goal in this model is to create a win-win P=N. That occurs when your purpose is equal to the need of the other person or group so that everyone is satisfied with the outcomes. When you also match your qualities, the Q, to their needs, the N, you and the other party can relate more easily to each other. Using the QPN Model, you create win-win situations that result in less stress and confusion all-around because you are genuinely working on the other person’s behalf while honoring your own needs. Here are questions for you to consider in the QPN Model:

• Where do your talents and skills lie?
• What is your philosophy of life and work?
• Do you use initiative, innovativeness and intuitiveness in your work?
• How strong are your values and beliefs?
• What are the indicators that you are on the right path?
• How are you expressing your true purpose?
• What are you personal qualities or gifts that make you shine?
• How have you created win-win situations with others?

Using these questions can help you weave your skills, talents and abilities into positive alignment so you can reach your personal and professional vision of success.