I am constantly amazed at the number of companies that believe pursuing a purpose is out of their reach. Oftentimes it is fueled by a belief that purpose only applies to endeavors like ending world hunger or reversing climate change.

In truth, an organization can adopt a purpose that is aimed at making a difference in just one life. And, in fact, this may be one of the most powerful ways to clarify a meaningful purpose for your organization.

Make a difference for just one person

A purpose is defined as the difference you make in a life, a community, or the world. Even if you've adopted a purpose with a global scale, it will always be most powerfully illustrated in a story of the difference that the organization made in the life of one person.

Water.org pursues the purpose of ending the global water crisis. Yet, they bring that purpose to life by telling the story of one mother who was able to get a small dollar loan so she could get running water and a toilet installed in her home. And how those connections helped her improve her family's health, free up time that she used to earn more income for the family, and more. We get to see a picture of her and get to know her by name. It's a big, world-changing purpose expressed through one woman.

Why does Water.org take this approach? Because it makes the movement human. We can relate. We can empathize. And before you know it, we find ourselves wanting to be part of that movement.

Even the most epic purpose comes down to making a difference for an individual person.

It makes a purpose attainable

How does your organization make a difference for one person? Start with that question.

You can simply state, "We help this person do this thing."

That may not sound awe-inspiring. But it's a start.

Now apply the 5 Why process. Ask, "Why is that important that we help this person do this thing." When you get an answer to that question, ask why again about that answer. Keep doing this until you've done it 5 times.

The whole point is to get beyond the superficial answer of why you do what you do to get to a more profound difference you make in a life. You'll know when you get there. Because it may give you goosebumps. Or scare you a little bit.

You'll notice this process doesn't launch into how the difference will have global implications. It keeps it all about one life. And asks you to find the difference that will have real and meaningful impact in that life. This is how your purpose becomes tangible and demonstrable. When it has those qualities, everyone can see how their support and efforts can have real impact. And, as a result, they'll want to join you in your pursuit of that purpose.

Your purpose could expand to make a difference in communities. Even the world. It's not out of reach. But just remember, it all starts with the difference you make in just one life.