How to find your life’s purpose
Millions of people have asked the question: why am I here? Here are some ways to find your purpose and passion in life and some guidance on how to live the answer to this age-old question.
Steps
1. Make a list of the things you do for fun or that you really enjoy. Include in the list the parts of your job that you really like, the things you volunteer for, sports, the arts, reading, singing, coaching , speaking in public etc. Imagine you’re a billionaire with no worries about money, how would you choose to spend your time? Add those things to the list, even if you don’t do them now. This list is of your passions; the things that you love to do, or would do simply for the pleasure they bring you. Being happy in life give a sense of belonging.
2. Write down the names of people that you admire and why you admire them. When you’re done, look at the list and know that what you appreciate about others is also in you. You are attracted to these qualities because they speak to you, and they speak to you because they are a part of your path. If this was your list, stepping out of the box, telling the truth, and living out loud would be action steps that would take you towards your purpose. Adopt these admirations of others as a way for you to show up in the world and live a better life.
3. Make a list of the things you do naturally without even thinking about them. (You may want to ask others for feedback, as it’s common for them to see talents in us that we don’t see ourselves.) Such natural talents may be: an eye for detail, a great sense of humour, a nurturing side, the ability to focus intently, or being playful. (Consider also, the things you’ve done that have gotten you into trouble – often if you turn them around and look at the positive aspects of it, you’ll find a gem of a natural talent that you previously hadn’t appreciated.) These are your genius.
4. Look at your passions, actions and genius lists, and spend 10 minutes each morning doing something from one of the lists. Draw, sing, dance and tell the truth about something you’ve been concealing; organise a drawer and thank someone you’ve been appreciating silently; take a risk and call that girl or guy.
5. Notice how you feel. By definition, if you’re living your life’s purpose, you’ll feel exhilarated, happy and alive. If you’re not feeling these things, go back to your lists, and see if there’s anything you forgot to write down, or do the one you’ve been avoiding because it’s so scary.
6. Feel your fear and do it anyway! It’s normal and natural to feel scared when stepping into your life’s purpose. Fear is really just excitement without the breath. So, keep breathing, and take the next step. If it’s worth doing, you’re probably going to feel a little scared doing it. Just think of the fear as the energy you need to take the next step
Vision
Life with purpose is precise, and direct life without purpose is depressing. Purpose has this organising value because it provides a vision, which motivates a plan of action to meet specific goals.
Proverbs 29:18a states “where there is no vision, the people perish”.
This is true because purpose provides a reason for existence. It encourages maximised performance towards an intended result.