“How do I find my life purpose? I can’t figure it out!”
“I’m told I should follow my bliss and my bliss will direct me to my life purpose, but I don’t know what my bliss is.”
“If I knew what my purpose was, everything in my life would be so much better.”
It seems that nowadays there is so much pressure on us to find our life purpose … the ONE thing we were put on this earth to do. The ONE thing that matters most. The ONE thing that if we truly understood and took action towards would add total clarity to an otherwise unclear life.
Hummm … now that’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself, don’t you think? And, when you think about it, were you really born for just one single solitary purpose? I think your life has the potential to be a lot richer than that.
There are so many gurus out there preaching about purpose that there’s now an epidemic of people obsessed with finding their “one great purpose.” The frantic search is leading to stress, frustration, and even depression. It doesn’t have to be this way.
If you’re struggling with finding your life purpose, I’ve got some advice that’s going to rock your world, and it’s this: breathe … relax … don’t put so much pressure on yourself.
Five key ways (not one!) to live a life of purpose
I will never claim to have all the answers, but this is what living your purpose looks like to me…
1) Our purpose in life is to love ourselves and to love others, we all share that purpose.
2) We have each been blessed with certain gifts and talents and those make us unique. When we find a way to use our gifts in service to others, then we are “on purpose” in our lives.
3) Our purpose may or may not have anything to do with what we do to make a living — but as we make a living, we can certainly practice #1 and #2.
4) Pay attention to the things that make you come alive … those times when hours pass and it seems like only moments. It’s when you’re in a state of “flow” that you are aligned with your purpose. Watch for those times in your life and find ways to get into that state more often.
5) I think there are those people who can say “my purpose is X,” but frankly those people are few and far between. So, if you can’t say “I know what my purpose is” right now, don’t sweat it so much. If you focus on #1 and #2, perhaps in time a more precise definition of your purpose will be revealed to you … but you won’t have to worry about what to call it, because by the time you can describe it you’ll find you’re living it.
Ready for some more advice on finding your life purpose from some really smart people?
I’ve given my two cents already about what I think it takes to find and live your life purpose, but chances are, you don’t know me personally and you may be hesitant to alter your thinking on this subject based on my words alone. Fair enough. Perhaps you’d be more willing to take the advice of these super-smarties:
Life Purpose Quotes
The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better. ― Robert F. Kennedy
The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. ― Eleanor Roosevelt
I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve. ― Albert Schweitzer
The purpose of our lives is to be happy. ―Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama
You should not confuse your career with your life. ― Dave Barry
So what’s the most important thing to remember?
Of all these quotes, I think one of the most insightful comments comes from the comedic writer Dave Barry. Too many people are confusing their life purpose with what they do to earn a living. You can still be living your purpose even if you’re not doing it through your career. That’s an important point, because not all of us find work that sets our hearts on fire. It’s great if you have found that work, and if you haven’t found it but are in search of it, kudos to you for going after what you want. That’s wonderful. Go for it!
Still, don’t wait until you’re in that perfect job to start living your life “on purpose.” Be deliberate about what you want in your life and live each day intentionally. Because when your actions are on purpose instead of random, you are living your purpose. (Here’s a free guide that can help you with that).
Wishing you much joy and love and peace as you live your life of purpose from now on,
J. Marie Novak, Founder of BelieveAndCreate.com
Thank you for the clarity!! And it made perfect sense to me!