The following post is the third instalment of our Corporate Sufi Habit series and is guided by this interview covering How to Set Purpose Driven Goals. In the conversation, Azim shares with Salim how the Corporate Sufi model of goal setting is different. He provides a rationale for beginning at the ‘end of all ends’ then building backwards from there so you can ensure the way forward is not only successful but also significant. And the engine that drives this journey to significance is, undeniably, Purpose. Principally, he posits that planting purpose in 6 key areas of your life’s ambition will be essential to harvesting long-term achievement in the now and beyond.
Be sure to watch the full interview!
Align your goals with what truly matters
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” — Mark Twain
Look around you. The race is truly on! And the participants are you and I – all chasing the proverbial finish line. A line where we wish to be seen as accomplished, acclaimed, and affluent. In order to be a winner in this race, we are compelled to chase milestones—climb ladders, collect titles, and craft polished versions of ourselves. But in the rush to become someone, we see no one. In the addiction to do everything, we experience nothing.
We rarely stop to ask: Is this the life I’m truly meant to live?
As Helen Keller put it, “Having sight but no vision is more tragic than blindness.”
And that’s the trap many of us fall into. In the rush and pressure to achieve, we do more but feel less. We reach summits but realize they are hollow. Burnout sets in. A quiet sense of restlessness lingers. Leaving us questioning what’s missing.
Unequivocally, that missing piece is Purpose. Not simply intention, but a designed, inspired, objective-based plan that envisions and values a destination that is more valuable than any property or designation.
But, how do we visualize and materialize this powerful destination to set purpose-driven goals?
Begin with ‘The End of All Ends’
The most powerful way to discover your truest purpose is to imagine yourself on your deathbed. Ask: What has been my contribution that I can report back to my Creator who fashioned me with intention and purpose?
This exercise may feel morbid, but it is incredibly liberating. It strips away ego and distraction and centers you on what truly matters. Your answer becomes your anchor.
It’s important to remember, your purpose won’t shout, but rather it will speak in whispers through the moments that light you up; the things that drain you, and the ideas that just won’t leave you alone. Sometimes, your concerns, wounds, and failures offer just as much insight as your hopes and dreams.
A purpose-driven story: Sanchali Pal, Founder of Joro
Sanchali Pal didn’t set out to build a startup. She simply wanted a chance to be more climate-conscious. When she couldn’t find a tool to help track her carbon footprint, she created one.
That spark became Joro, a climate-action app that helps individuals monitor and reduce their carbon footprint through daily decisions. As a result, in 2021, Joro’s users helped reduce emissions by 21%. In 2022, the company was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies.
What began as a personal ambition to shift habits grew into a purpose-driven movement centered on her ‘end of all ends’ vision. Mainly, a world in a better place than she found it! With this, Sanchali didn’t just create a tool; she built a community united by shared values.
The power of alignment: Business, Balance & Beyond
Purpose doesn’t function in isolation. It works in alignment.
According to the Corporate Sufi – Business, Balance & Beyond (BBB) philosophy, Purpose acts as the link that connects three core aspects of your life:
- Business Goals → What you build.
- Balance Goals → How you live.
- Beyond Goals → Why it all matters.
When these layers align, your life moves from fragmented efforts to focused impact. You stop running in multiple lanes and start moving as one cohesive force.
The four circles of growth
A former Corporate Sufi client, Ignacio Cortes, once offered up a beautiful metaphor for how we grow within 4 circles:
Do Nothing – No drive, no direction. Numbness.
Comfort – Stability, no expansion. Safe, but stagnant.
Stretch – The sweet spot. Risk, resilience, and growth.
Panic – Overdrive. Fueled by fear, not purpose.
The best place to be? Between Comfort and Stretch, but never get into panic. However, stay in Stretch as much as possible and keep pushing the edges without losing your center.
Purpose into practice: 90-Day Scorecard
Purpose isn’t a destination. It’s a discipline.
Use a 90-Day Scorecard to bring your purpose to life. Every quarter, reflect and realign:
- Are my current goals in harmony with my long-term vision?
- Am I creating meaning or just checking boxes?
- Would my 90-year-old self be proud of how I’m spending my time?
A 2021 Frontiers in Psychology study found that people with purpose-oriented goals experienced significantly higher well-being than those with performance-based goals. The science is clear on how Purpose nourishes us.
5-Step Purpose Pathway
Step 1: Write Your Legacy Statement
What will I be delighted to share with my Creator about my life that aligned with my uniqueness, intention and purpose.
Step 2: Break It Down
Turn your legacy statement into long, mid, and short-term goals.
Step 3: Craft an Affirmation
Example,“I live to uplift and empower through service, clarity, and compassion.”
Step 4: Repeat It Daily
Speak your affirmation with crystal clarity, intensity, feeling, and conviction. Repeat it regularly as if it’s a done deal.
Step 5: Evaluate Your Week
Are your actions aligned with your words? If not, recalibrate.
In closing, when our goals stem from inner purpose, life doesn’t just accelerate—it expands. Having a purpose isn’t just about doing more; but about becoming more. Purpose is the compass that helps us authentically align our ambitions.
- Purpose-driven goals aren’t about being impressive. They’re about being impactful.
- Purpose-driven goals help us move away from all the noise into meaning—from success to significance!
- Purpose-driven goals remind us that the goal of life isn’t just to have, but to give.
At the end of the day, we come with zero and leave with zero. We don’t take the possessions we have. Rather, we take the good from all we gave back! Purpose is the bedrock of the Corporate Sufi philosophy. To fully understand its impact, watch Corporate Sufi Habit #3 – How to Set Purpose-Driven Goals on the Corporate Sufi Youtube Channel. Please like, share, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay in-the-know about all our new video releases.