Hi ya'll. I wanted to start a series of Blog Posts for the Summer as I engage deeper in my own personal JOURNEY as I continue to look for the joy and find my own personal purpose. I wanted to share some of the research that I have done, as it relates to my life's path, in hopes that it might help ya'll find your own purpose and path.
How to find your purpose
We all have a purpose in life. I strongly believe this. There is something each of us is meant to do in our lives, and it’s something that only we can do. Hence, YOUR STORY. Others may share a similar purpose, but the way you bring it to life is unique.
Unlocking your true purpose will spark a change in your life that you can’t help but follow. Your purpose is meant to be fulfilled, and by doing so, you not only fulfill your purpose - you inspire others to do the same. This is how you can personally have an impact that reverberates throughout the world, something that many of us seek.
There are three stages to finding your purpose:
- The first stage involves having a clear understanding of who you are and what you want.
- The second stage identifies what might be holding you back from finding your purpose and, once you’ve addressed any/all roadblocks, you begin to understand what your purpose is.
- The third stage is about bringing your purpose to life and how to do it in a way where it is brought into your life right now.
Right now, we are going to work through the first stage. Ready? Let’s get started!
Ask yourself: How do you like to feel?
In life, we are usually guided in regards to our achievements. These achievements are a mix of what we need for basic survival (ex: food, shelter, and sex) and society-based achievements (ex: career, home, and family).
Your purpose is meant to be fulfilled, and by doing so, you not only fulfill your purpose - you inspire others to do the same.
Most of us aim for these achievements, although the details around them can differ, such as the type of home you choose, your income level, or your career is replaced by a certain business or self-employment. These goals are great. However, we’re often left with a feeling that there is ‘something’ that is missing. We are unfulfilled. This feeling can be hard to articulate but can result in feeling restless, lost, despondent, or even slightly depressed. After achieving these goals, there can be a feeling of confusion. These goals don’t make us feel how we thought they would.
We get to this point because we have essentially jumped into life without knowing how we want our lives to feel.
This is the first aspect of ‘know thyself’ that we need to identify within ourselves. So, the very first place to start is to understand and establish how you like to feel rather than what you want to achieve.
This is a journey and you need to remember this.
I would like for you to stop here. Make a list of HOW YOU LIKE TO FEEL, right now, not how you would like to feel, we will get there, but for now think about the question. Do you like to fee Free? Valuable? Connected? Build off of this main feeling and break it down into 3-5 core feelings.
We are going to think about breaking down our life purpose into a simple, clear and practical way to uncover the layers.
What Are Your Themes?
The next area to uncover about yourself is your themes. Your themes are made up of two elements: tangible themes and intangible themes.
Tangible themes can be described as your passions, your interests, your hobbies, or the constants in your life. What do you daydream about doing? What would you spend every waking moment on if you could? What are the things you don’t have much time for right now but wish you did? Some examples include writing, photography, art, music, and travel.
Intangible themes are interests that are mind or personality centered. You wouldn’t describe them as hobbies, but they form an integral part of your life. Examples of intangible themes include spirituality, discovery, learning, adventure, and freedom. A love of learning can be a large theme in your life, just as much as a passion for tennis.
The themes you uncover will help you narrow down how you can bring your purpose to life.
I would like for you to stop here. Make a list of your THEMES and break it down to 3-5 MAIN THEMES in your life.
Uncover Your Motivations
When you’re incredibly passionate about something, it can be hard to distinguish between a life calling or being a hobby.
You need to get down to the core of a passion, or what exactly it is that hooks you.
Think about this, when you are living your purpose you aren't on the clock and you don't feel like you need to check in... because you aren't chained to anything.
You need to uncover your WHY. Start by asking what you love about __________, then ask WHY. Why do you love __________? What is it? How does it make you feel?
I would like for you to stop here. Use the questioning strategy above for your themes and your core values and dig deep to get into exactly what it is that motivates you. This is important.
Please keep in mind, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that because you enjoy something you should do it full time, especially if you’re particularly good at it. It’s almost harder if you’re particularly good at something, as many other people might expect you to turn it into something bigger.
Not every passion is meant to be followed, and not every opportunity is meant to be taken. There is nothing wrong with keeping hobbies as hobbies!
What Are Your Values?
The final section that I am going to cover in getting to know yourself is to know your personal values.
Your values are the qualities that you deem highly important in life, within yourself or from others.
Your personal values act as a sort of character guide, similar to your personal morals. Although you might not do so consciously, you make decisions based on your personal values.
Your values will influence nearly everything you do, as well as who you spend your time with.
Knowing your values forms a personal guide and helps keep you on the right path. Your decisions, interests, friends, and social groups will be loosely based on your own values.
I would like for you to stop here. Go ahead and make a list of your Core Values and start narrowing it down. Think about respect, honesty, compassion, openness....
At this point you should have a clear picture of who you are and what truly drives you. This is the first stage UNCOVERED!
As for the next stage; your purpose is built around what you have written. Your answers will give clues to what your purpose is, and how you can bring it to life in your own unique way.
