A Job vs. A Work

If you're feeling lost about what comes next after military service? If you want to get a handle on what’s next for your life…stay tuned in!

Did you know that there are several people who you are familiar with who were in the military? This completely blew my mind. Take a look at this list of people.

Morgan Freeman: 4 years in the Air Force

Elvis Presley: 2 years in the Army

Drew Carey: 6 years in the Marines

Montel Williams: Over a decade in the Navy

Ice-T: 4 years in the Army

Rob Riggle: 23 years in the Marines

Chuck Norris: 4 years in the Air Force

Sinbad: 2 years in the Air Force

Nate Dogg: 4 years in the Marines

Jackie Robinson: 2 years in the Army

Richard Pryor: 2 years in the Army

Phil Knight (Nike Founder): 8 years in the Army

Frederick Smith (FedEx Founder): 3 years in the Marines

There's one thing that all these people have in common. When they got out of the military, they didn’t pursue a career.

They pursued a dream that was in line with what they really wanted to do. And many people who are in the military, when they get out, they don't have a definite plan.

Some only have a rough idea of what they want to do next. And that's a choice that impacts their life in a major way.

When you don't have a plan for what's to come next, somebody else will have to plan your life on your behalf. Do you know what's to come next? And more importantly…is it aligned with your destiny?

Or are you settling for what you know is achievable?

There are several different types of goals and objectives that we can lay at our feet as we prepare to take off the uniform for the last time. And it's completely up to you which direction you choose.

There is no right or wrong in this particular circumstance.

However, for those of you who want the most out of your life…

For those of you who want to pursue genuine fulfillment and happiness…

For those of you who want to leave a legacy behind for your loved ones…

For those of you who want to pursue a calling that changes lives for generations to come…

For those of you who are not satisfied with the status quo…

For those of you who don’t want to miss your date with destiny…

If this is you, then what you need to do is pursue a life post-military that is full of all the things that are calling out to you...but you may be afraid to chase.

You need to challenge yourself beyond what you know you can do. You need to pursue the ideas and visions that are trapped in your imagination. There’s one thing that everybody on this list has in common.

When they got out of the military, they pursued what they felt called to do. They embraced all the fear.

They welcomed all the uncertainty. They stepped out on faith.

Foremost, they had enough foresight to sit down and create a vision out of the calling in their heart.

Secondly, they had enough courage and faith to pursue that vision. They didn't settle for what was laid out on their path.

They didn’t take whatever job opportunity fell into their lap.

They created opportunities that were beyond what they thought was capable for themselves at that moment.

Bob Proctor has a goal-setting framework that he uses for himself and his company. In his framework, he says that there are three different types of goals that we can all set for ourselves.

There are A-level goals. These are goals that we know we can accomplish.

The second type of goal is a B-level goal. These objectives we aren’t so sure of because we haven’t done it before. However, we think we can accomplish them.

And the third type of goal is the C-level goal. These are often in a completely different stratosphere than the other two. These are goals that we want to achieve.

In the realm of goal setting, most of us reside in the safe haven of what we know we can achieve. But what if we dared to venture into the unknown, chasing after the things we truly desire?

It's in this pursuit that we uncover our deepest passions and redefine what's possible.

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C-Level Goals: Typically we believe that these things are so far outside of our wheelhouse that we lack the courage and the fortitude to actually seek them out.

The goals that live at this level are typically taken into the graveyard with us when we die. If you really wanna do a work that leaves a lasting impact on the world, this is where you need to be.

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B-Level Goals: These goals live right outside our comfort zone.

And there’s nothing wrong with being here, or any other level for that matter.

What you need to do is ask yourself two questions: 1) What type of life do you really want? And 2) How much are you willing to sacrifice to be able to get that?

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A-Level Goals: This is where most people settle. In this place, you know everything that happens, because it's full of predictability and routine.

It may seem like a good thing to be free of challenges. But here’s the truth.

The level of challenges you face will determine the level of growth you experience. The challenges you encounter are the tools God uses to mold you into who He destined you to be.

So, if you spend your whole life avoiding them, you may miss your date with destiny.

Think of the “plan” you have for after you hit that “button”. For some the button is separation.

For others, the button is retirement. But one day everyone has to press the button. Where do your plans fall within this framework?

If you’re not sure where to start, feel free to grab our free-purpose assessment. It’s a great first step to unlock the path to a fulfilling post-military life.

Discover your true calling and set sail towards a future filled with meaning and purpose.

As veterans, we have the power to shape our destinies beyond the confines of our service.

By embracing uncertainty and daring to pursue our true passions, we can unlock a world of endless possibilities.

At The Purpose Pad, we're here to support you every step of the way.

Don't let fear hold you back—embrace the journey and step into the life you were meant to live.