“The Future Depends on What You Do Today”

Finding purpose in your life

It’s not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. Winston S. Churchill

Our minds have been created to seek more. In fact, our minds cannot function effectively unless we have a goal or mission we work for. For example: it is very hard to get out of bed in the morning to exercise, but once we have a goal to work towards (for example feeling healthy or getting ready for a marathon, etc.) it is much easier to do it.

The very same is true for life in general; this overall goal we are striving to achieve is our life purpose.

We often make the mistake to think that a life purpose has to be something big enough to change the world and billions of lives. Although some life purposes could be that big, you purpose could also be to be a good mother, a good father, a brilliant entrepreneur, etc.

Our life purpose has a great impact on our actions and indirectly also on our future. When we have a well-defined purpose, we act in a different way. In the absence of a life purpose, we tend to see our daily problems as overwhelming and disastrous. We find it hard to see beyond just the current moment and its problems.

Having a purpose makes it impossible to merely exist. When you have a defined reason for living, your passions and talents will drive you toward a happy, fulfilling destination.

Here are some factors to consider that will help you to identify your life purpose:

  1. Make a list of the things that you enjoy to do and come easy to you

We often do not make the time to reflect on our lives. Should you feel that you have not yet identified your life purpose, start by making a list of all the things you do on a daily basis that you enjoy and that come easy to you.

Remember that your life purpose is not something that you have to figure out and develop yourself. You came into the world with your life purpose already in place, you just need to find time to listen to your inner self to know it.

  1. Write down the two qualities you have that you enjoy to express

Reflect on your activities over the last month: what are those qualities that you know you have and that you enjoy to express? These qualities are a good indication of the qualities that you should be able to express most of the time when you live your life purpose.

  1. Stop comparing yourself to others

No two people have exactly the same life purpose and one’s purpose is not worse that someone else’s. You cannot measure your life purpose against what others achieve; in so doing you will never feel content and happy with your life choices.

  1. Think about the times you have experienced the greatest joy

Make a list of all the times in your live that you have experienced the most joy. There are many, just take the time to put them down on paper. As you read through all these items you will see a trend that will help you to discover your life purpose.

  1. Ask yourself when have you felt most fulfilled

Again, make a list of all the times in your live that you have felt most fulfilled. Don’t stop at one or two items; write down as many as you can and find the golden thread.

  1. What makes you forget about the world around you?

Sometimes we enjoy something so much, that we do not realise the time that passes by. In fact, we would be happy for the moment to last forever.

Many great entrepreneurs build their businesses on their hobbies. One of my clients love building model cars and ships. He now has a business that imports and exports model cars and ships.

  1. Do not be scared to ask for help

Our daily responsibilities often distract our attention from our inner self. Perhaps it would make sense for you to find a coach that can help you to uncover and discover your life purpose. It could also be a wonderful topic to discuss with friends.

 

If you can tune into your purpose and really align with it, setting goals so that your vision is an expression of that purpose, then life flows much more easily. Jack Canfield