5 Ways to Find Your Purpose

I do believe we all have a purpose.  Some believe they were born with their purpose, some discover their purpose along the way, and for most, their purpose changes across the seasons of life.  It is becoming more common for a person in today’s world to value purposeful work over financial gain.  If you steer your career or hobbies toward a purposeful path, your life satisfaction will increase and you will exponentially be rewarded with motivation and inspiration.

If you are reading this today and finding that your purpose is not clear, here are some steps you can take to more clearly define your purpose:

  1. Pay attention to the natural topics you want to read about, talk about, or even post about on social media. There is a reason your mind leans toward talking about healthcare, children, cats and dogs, cybersecurity, or your garden.  Sometimes this could lead to an obvious career.  I like cats, I’d like to be a Veterinarian or work at an animal shelter. Sometimes the focus can be found here, but it is not as directly related.  I like to garden could lead to another joy.  Maybe you really like being outside and being part of nature, so you’d like to focus on a career that allowed you to focus on the environment in which you work.
  2. Identify a person who you admire or see as a role model. This person could be found in history, they could be a successful person you saw in a movie or documentary, a character in a novel, or someone in your everyday life.  Once you find this person, or people, read about them, study them, note what it is you admire and what you’d like to emulate, and WHY.  It is the “why” that is most important in this exercise to focus in on YOUR special purpose.
  3. Go on an adventure, again and again! Explore the world around you, take trips, join clubs, meet new people, make it a point to try something you have always wanted to try but have hesitated in starting. The internet makes opportunities extremely available, do some research, then take the next step.  The first time doing something new is always the worst and I can speak from personal experience, the leap in confidence when you do try something you thought you’d never do is a rush that keeps on giving!
  4. Make a list of your talents and identify the strengths that bring you joy. What are you good at doing?  Where do your natural strengths lie?  Some people revel in detail, numbers, solving problems.  Some delight in helping other people.  Are you strong, innovative, or musically talented?  Are you in your element when you are with many people, or do you prefer quiet activities?
  5. Make a brainstorming list of your own short life “mission statements”. Write as many as you can think of in a short period of time.  Just let the ideas flow form your brain, and write anything down that pops in your head.  This exercise is only for you.  Once you have your list (try to write 15-20 purposes) then choose 3-5 form the list and prioritize them according to your desires.

This would look like:

– My mission (or purpose) in life is to ________.

– My mission (or purpose) in life is to ________.

– My mission (or purpose) in life is to ________.

– My mission (or purpose) in life is to ________.

– My mission (or purpose) in life is to ________.

These are some of my recommendations, what ideas do you have to help someone find their purpose?  How have your found your purpose in the past?  If it is not clear now, keep these ideas in mind, take the active steps mentioned above and if you keep the focus on your purpose will be revealed.