When the male Red-Winged Blackbirds first arrive in spring they are relatively relaxed, and even gregarious at times. But when the females arrive a couple weeks later suddenly the males are aggressive and their KonKaRee call becomes raucous. You can tell when the ladies are back in town just by observing the change in behavior of the guys.
When the White Throated Sparrows come through in the spring they sing “Old Sam Peabody” with pure tone and precise pitch. In the fall when they come back through they sing the same song, but the pitch is all over the place, and they put no effort into it. The song that’s so beautiful in the spring is hilarious in the fall.
What makes the difference? Purpose. The analogy may be obvious but I will state it anyway, birds and people are alike in this regard. A clear task spells out exactly what to do. A clear goal gives direction. A clear purpose bolsters tasks and goals to the Why power. Purpose shows why to do that task and why to take that direction. When people have a clear task with a clear purpose towards a clear goal they sing a different tune.
“Purpose is what gives life a meaning.” Charles H. Perkhurst
Cybuhr 