Batteries Not Included
“It's not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?”
– Henry David Thoreau
Batteries Not Included
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life was selected as the Gold Medal Winner for the Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards!
Think back to the best birthday present you ever received as a child. For me, it was a Nintendo Gameboy. I remember the excitement bubbling inside me as I held it in my hands, imagining all the adventures I was about to experience. But then I saw those dreaded words: BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED. In an instant, my excitement vanished. I had the gift in my hands, but I couldn’t use it!
This is a lot like life. We have endless possibilities at our fingertips. The potential to do anything we want is right there, within reach. But without purpose—without our "batteries"—we can't go anywhere.
Have you ever tried to navigate to a new destination without using your GPS? Maybe you’ve found yourself in an unfamiliar city, and your phone’s map app isn't working. Can you imagine how lost you’d feel without a guide, a map, or a tool to help you find your way? Now take that feeling and apply it to your life.
We are born “batteries not included.” There is no owner's manual. No one hands us a guide on how to navigate life. But we are born with all the tools and potential to be great. The key is finding our "why." When we understand the deeper reason behind what we do, that "why" becomes our personal roadmap, providing clarity and direction.
That’s what having a purpose does for us. It’s our North Star. Our guiding light that keeps us on track, no matter what obstacles we face. We could go anywhere and do anything, but without direction, we drift through life without a sense of fulfillment or meaning.
When we discover our North Star—our purpose—we find a reason to get out of bed in the morning. On our toughest days, when things don’t go our way, or when we doubt ourselves, that North Star remains. It gives us a sense of direction and motivation. Purpose serves as a constant reminder that no matter what challenges arise, we know why we’re moving forward, even if the path ahead is unclear.
As leaders, it’s important to not only find our own North Star but to help those around us find theirs as well. Our teams may have all the talent, skill, and potential in the world, but without a clear purpose, they’re like that Gameboy without batteries—full of possibility but unable to perform.
By helping your team uncover their own "why," you’re equipping them with the tools to succeed. Purpose ignites passion, fuels resilience, and drives progress.
As Mark Twain famously said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” So, take a moment to reflect. What’s your North Star? And how can you help those around you find theirs? Because once you find it, you’re not just guiding yourself—you’re leading others toward a brighter, more meaningful future.
“A person who aims at nothing is sure to hit it.”
— Zig Ziglar
Connecting this quote to the story. Without a clear purpose or direction—our "North Star"—we'll end up wandering aimlessly, achieving little because we lack a defined goal to strive toward.
Chasing Influence tip: Clear goals aligned with a shared purpose provide direction even during uncertainty.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
Updates on Chasing Influence
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life is available in Kindle, softcover, hardcover, and audiobook editions.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2024