Article 32 - Doing Good Work

Life requires action, but more importantly, it demands permission and purpose.

The truth is, most of us are waiting for the perfect moment, the right opportunity, or someone else’s approval to begin. But you don’t need any of that. What you need is clarity about why you’re here and the courage to start moving.

Purpose isn’t some magical word. It’s what gets you up early and pushes you to stay uncomfortable. With it, we live with joy, charisma, and conviction—energy that becomes contagious. Without it, we become hollow, irritable, and yep…cantankerous. (I absolutely love that word.)

There are countless books and frameworks (including some of my own) designed to help you find your purpose, but this article has a different mission. My goal is simple: to motivate you to take action. To do something meaningful. Not for applause. Not for recognition. But because the world needs more people willing to do good work.

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
— Mark Twain

Defining Purpose

I believe purpose is one-half of the equation for living a fulfilled life. The other half? Passion.

Let’s break that down. Passion is your emotional fuel—what excites you, what stirs your soul. It’s that fire you feel when you’re doing something that matters. Think back to those moments in your life where time seemed to disappear. Odds are, you were doing something you loved. That’s passion.

Purpose, on the other hand, isn’t something that just shows up. It’s not going to knock on your door and say, “Hey, I’m here now.” You’ve got to seek it. And more often than not, you discover it only after you’ve stumbled a few times.

For me, it revealed itself through my military journey. I found deep purpose in leading our nation’s sons and daughters. But even more so, I found fulfillment in mentoring others—helping people lead with charisma, integrity, and a servant’s heart. That’s the work that fires me up.

When you align your passion with your purpose, you unlock fulfillment. But first, you have to name it. So ask yourself: what do I want to be remembered for?

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”
— Friedrich Nietzsche

You can't do good work until you know why you're here—purpose isn't optional; it's the starting point.

Understanding Your Assignment

Once we’ve defined our purpose and find joy in our daily tasks, we begin to understand our assignment. What I mean by that is this: what unique gifts and strengths do you possess that give you an unfair advantage? If you can align those God-given talents with your “why,” that’s when you become dangerous—not to others, but to anything that stands in the way of making a difference.

In the military, we plan around two possibilities: the most probable course of action based on known patterns, and the most dangerous course of action—the one that would disrupt and devastate us if executed. That same concept applies in life. What’s the most dangerous thing you could do—the bold, disruptive move that aligns your passion, purpose, and strength to create maximum impact? That’s your assignment.

For me, that realization came after COVID. I began journaling daily—unpacking what I was passionate about, what gave me life, and how I could serve others. That’s how Tales of Leadership was born. My assignment became clear: help others become the best leaders they can be—what I call Purposeful Accountable Leaders or PALs. Why? Because I’ve seen the damage poor leadership can do. It can break morale and, at its worst, cost lives. I believe strong leadership can stop that.

And here’s the thing I’ve learned: we do not set our calling. The calling finds us. Your assignment will evolve. Mine still is. I’m constantly refining it—right now I’m exploring a partnership with Renaissance Reliability and their nonprofit Unturning Steel, which helps transition veterans into leadership roles in U.S. manufacturing. That aligns with two of my biggest passions: helping service members transition well and rebuilding American industry. Your assignment may not be fully clear yet, and that’s okay. Ask yourself:

• What daily actions bring me both joy and fulfillment?

• What organizations or efforts align with my strengths?

• How can I apply my purpose and passion to impact those around me?

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
— Pablo Picasso

"The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without purpose. The second is a life with purpose but no assignment."
– Dr. Myles Munroe

Final Thoughts

All you need to do is take action and create alignment in life. Focus on three things. First, understand what you’re passionate about. Then, define your purpose—your deeper why. When you do those two things, you’ll begin to find fulfillment. From there, go seek out your assignment. That’s the work you’re uniquely equipped to do—the actions that align your strengths, serve others, and still bring you joy. If you can do those three things—passion, purpose, and assignment—you’re already living a life of impact. Remember, this isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about doing the next right thing. That’s what it all comes down to: doing good work. Reflect on the questions below—and then go do good work.

After Action Review

1. What unique strengths do I have that give me an unfair advantage, and am I using them?

2. Is my current assignment aligned with my passion and purpose, or do I need to pivot?

3. What one action can I take this week to lead with greater clarity, conviction, and care?

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My Mission: I will end toxic leadership practices by equipping leaders with transformational leadership skills. 

Together, we will impact 1 MILLION lives!!!

Every day is a gift, don't waste yours!

Joshua K. McMillion | Founder MLC | Founder MLC

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