Tobe Nwigwe Wants You to Have Purpose

December 2022

Tobe Nwigwe a captivating rapper from Houston, has just been nominated for a Grammy award as Best New Artist of 2022. And he’s a former school football star and featured actor in the Netflix series, “Mo.”  But now he’s starring in his most fulling role as the promoter of Purpose for young people. 

Wherever Tobe appears, he proclaims that his purpose is, “Making Purpose Popular.”

Why purpose? Tobe says purpose is the key to staying power, success in life and deep satisfaction.  And, based on his experiences growing up in “the hood,” he knows purpose gives young people a shield against destructive temptations. With a purpose you can withstand distractions, set-backs and disabling self-doubt. You serve a higher purpose than just feeling good today.

AdMission College Counseling is all about helping students discover their purpose and have it guide their high school choices and admissions process. 

But, What Exactly is Purpose?

In a recent study at Harvard Business School, devoted to business purpose, the researchers distilled purpose down to three possible options: 

1.   competencies. (Example:  Apple Computer’s commitment to the best user experience.)  

2.   a culture in which workers flourish. (Example: Zappos promotes happiness at work, which inspires their fabulous customer service.)

3.   a cause for the greater good. (Example:  Allbirds creates shoe soles that require no hydrocarbons.)

We can translate those three kinds of purpose to your situation as a student.  Your purpose could be. . .

1.   Develop your core competencies. 

Whether it’s mountain biking, making music, or computer programming, you already know what you love to do.  Now, keep improving and see where it takes you!

2.   Make your culture better.

Your culture can be a classroom, a club, a group of friends or your family.  Pledge to make its culture better, beginning with yourself. This is a skill for a lifetime! 

3.   Commit to a cause.

Ask yourself what opportunities or problems occupy your daydreams or even keep you up at night.  What can you do in these areas that are within your power right now? 

Any one of these three “C’s” can be your purpose.  And with a purpose you’ve got a focus to help you make good choices – from school classes to clubs, from paid work to free time.

Tobe Nwigwe is on to something big. Find your purpose, find your power -- and start when you’re young!  Now is the time to grow your competencies, improve your culture, and commit to a greater cause.

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