It is a common but mistaken notion that having a "Mission Statement" is a requirement reserved only for people in the active world of business. We are taught that organizations need missions to drive profit and growth, but we rarely apply that same strategic rigour to our individual lives once we step away from our professions. On the contrary, I believe that every person who is "living and kicking" needs to have a mission. This mission is the engine that keeps an individual moving forward with enthusiasm, providing the mental fortitude to stop complaining about small niggles and minor health issues.
At the age of sixty-five, my personal mission has become crystal clear: to propagate the philosophy of SBOP Living® and to give purpose and meaning to the lives of people like me so that they may attain true fulfilment. I wish to provide a new meaning and a fresh direction for those who are retired or are contemplating the transition. I want to prove to them that this is not a dreaded phase of withdrawal, but a vibrant season of contribution through the strategic deployment of their 3Ws (Wealth, Wisdom, and Warmth) and their 5Es (Experience, Expertise, Exposure, Education, and Excellence).
The Gardener’s Joy: Watching the Seeds of Purpose Grow
I am often asked by friends and colleagues, "Sanjay, what is it that keeps you going with such intensity?" My simple answer is that I see myself just like a gardener who has planted a multitude of seeds in a vast garden. I am now keenly watching those seeds germinate into young plants. I observe them as they grow large enough to start flowering, spreading beauty and fragrance through the air, while a few others begin the process of bearing fruit.
This observation is the greatest joy for any gardener. In my journey as a Humanologist, the "seeds" I plant are the ideas found in my books, "How to Live Life? SBOP Living®" and "Golden Retirement: Design Your Next Chapter, Beyond the Balance Sheet." When I see a reader internalize these concepts and move from a state of "obscurity" to a state of "Significance," it is as if a flower has bloomed in my garden.
As someone who chooses to work entirely Pro Bono, the reward for my mentoring, public speaking, and writing is not financial. Instead, it is the profound satisfaction of witnessing the positive changes that come about in the lives of many. Seeing their renewed urge to live, to live better, and to live longer gives me the biggest sense of achievement day after day.
From Striving to Significance: The Mission in Action
In Chapter 17 of my latest book, "Golden Retirement," I discuss the concept of a "Legacy of Impact." I believe that our hard-won wisdom is a vital resource that the world urgently needs. When we have a mission, we move beyond the "Rajasic" state of personal ambition and into the "Sattvic" state of selfless service.
By helping others navigate their own "Identity Shift" and build their own "Non-Financial Pillars of Security," I am achieving my mission every single day. This is the essence of DGL (Doing Good in Life). It is about making others feel valued and of use. When a high-achiever realizes that their Experience and Expertise can be repurposed to guide the next generation, their own sense of self-worth is restored. They are no longer "retired"; they are "Refired."
This process is most gratifying indeed. It reminds me that a mission is not a destination we reach; it is a way of traveling. It ensures that our "Second Innings" is not a slow walk toward the sunset, but a purposeful stride toward a Golden Horizon.
The Completion of the Innings
A mission gives you a reason to wake up before the sun. It replaces the "Dopamine" of the deal with the "Serotonin" of the soul. As I continue this journey of Atmasamwad, I realize that my satisfaction comes from the "DGL Passbook" I am filling. Every person who finds peace through the SBOP framework is a testament to the fact that a single, sincere intent can indeed make a large difference.
I urge you to find your own "Garden." Whether it is mentoring a young professional, supporting a social cause, or simply being the "Emotional Anchor" for your family, define your mission. It will keep you young, it will keep you relevant, and most importantly, it will keep you happy.
Your Reflection & Action Points
- Define Your Mission: If you were to write a "Mission Statement" for your life right now, independent of your past career, what would those two or three lines say?
- Identify Your Seeds: What are the "seeds of wisdom" (from your 5Es) that you have already planted in the lives of others? How can you nurture them more intentionally?
- Analyze the Niggles: Have you noticed that when you are focused on a meaningful task, your physical "niggles" and complaints seem to fade into the background?
- The Gardener’s Perspective: Who in your circle is currently "flowering" or "bearing fruit" because of the guidance or warmth you provided?
- Commit to DGL: What is one Pro Bono act of service you can perform this week that aligns with your new mission and brings you a sense of satisfaction?
Dr. Sanjay Runwal
Business Strategist & Humanologist