As an increasing stream of requests and demands come into our life we need to make sure there is a filtration system in place to keep us from diluting our success. Filters keep unwanted elements out of the stream. In the same, way having a filter for what we allow ourselves to say “yes” to helps purify our lives. Every request for your time should pass through what I call your Triple P Filter. The Triple P Filter consist of these:

Purpose

Passion 

Potential 

The Triple P Filter can bring clarity to our schedule and priorities. It’s not enough to prioritize our schedule, we need to work towards scheduling our priorities that make it through these three filters. Only what makes it through should show up on our calendar. In fact, if I were to look at your schedule I would probably be able to predict where your life is going. 

Identifying these three areas will give you the insight needed to design your life in such a way that pulls you back to propel forward.

Purpose

When you know what you are supposed to be doing, it’s easier to identify whether or not you are doing the right thing. Purpose is an excellent filter for determining whether or not you are spending your time the right way. It is an internal compass helping us navigate our agendas. Don’t go by a clock to determine your productivity, go by your purpose-driven compass. If how you are spending your time does not align with your purpose, you will need to abandon that pursuit. My mentor Dr. John C. Maxwell says, “You have to give up in order to go up.” 

We can’t get preoccupied with temptations that pull us away from what we are created for. Too many people feel stuck doing what they don’t want to do rather than freely living the life they were meant to live. Determining your purpose brings clarity to your daily duties. Every day should bring you one step closer to fulfilling your purpose.

On a side note, if you don’t have clarity on the big picture for your life, you need to get one. Check out the book, Living Forward by Michael Hyatt, or author Simon Sinek’s book, Find Your Why to work through a life plan.

Passion

The second filter to run requests through is the question, “Am I passionate about this?” If you aren’t passionate about it, chances are you won’t give your best anyway. We succeed when our passion is aligned with what we actually do. Don’t commit to every opportunity if you can’t truly get behind it. Find what energizes you, what excites you, what engulf’s you. Leonardo da Vinci said, “Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art.” If everything you do drains your energy and is ineffective, you may need to rethink what you do. When you are operating in your sweet spot, it will ignite you within.

Potential

My wife and I went to the beautiful island of Maui on our honeymoon. One of the highlights of our trip was driving “The Road to Hana,” which is a famous route that goes around the entire island. It took us about three hours to complete the route in our rented Ford Escort. About halfway through the journey, we pulled over at the top of a cliff to watch the windsurfers out on the ocean. It was incredible to see these people doing all kinds of tricks and moves on the waves. Periodically, there would be moments of calm on the water when the waves died down. The surfers would then wait for the next big wave as they floated in the water. As I watched, I observed how much surfing is based on momentum. Even the best surfers in the world are limited by seas which become as smooth as glass. These surfers certainly had the skills and potential to perform incredible tricks, but they were restricted by the lack of wind and waves. They didn’t get discouraged and give up when the waves died down; they were patient, knowing that more was on the way. And, as soon as the waves started to come in again, they were up and surfing. 

You have to be like these surfers: they are momentum seekers. Look for ways to catch opportunities that will create momentum and take your further. A professional surfer will calmly wait for the perfect wave to come along. They know how to read the waves and determine which will offer the best opportunity. Many times, a surfer will pass on a perfectly good wave in order to catch a great wave, and when they see it, they quickly paddle out and seize the moment. Therein lays momentum. It is in that pivotal moment that they find the momentum which will carry them to new, daring heights. 

Look at the potential of every request and determine if it gets you closer to your goals in life.