Let's Begin!
Determining what our purpose is in life can be one of the hardest questions that we as humans must try to answer. Let's be honest, if we are to spend a large chunk of our time 'working', why not find something fulfilling and soul satisfying! I have spent many years in my career, previously working for other's in a draining job, just to get the moolah & pay my bills. Anyone else with me?
I was often dissatisfied as my soul craved for more, and I just didn't feel aligned at my core. This often lead to me jumping from job to job, to keep myself somewhat happy, just to find a few years later, I couldn't stand the job anymore! This period of self-discovery was important none the less, as it allowed me to understand what I loved and wanted more of, while highlighting what didn't suit me. For example, I knew I wanted to help people, so I joined the Royal NZ Navy as a Paramedic when I was 18, just to find out that I couldn't handle the harshness of seeing car incidents, and deaths etc on the regular! Rewind to 3 years ago, I never would have thought I would be helping people in a way that suits me best! If it can happen for me, it can happen for you!
In this blog we will be going through a step by step process, exploring your feelings and options, and by the end, you should have a fairly solid tool you can immediately employ in your life, to help give it a meaningful direction!
There are three steps to the process of discovering the purpose of your life:
Understanding the principle of choice
Creating your “underlying principle”
Aligning your life with this underlying principle
Understanding The Principle of Choice
Norman Vincent Peale has this to say about the power of choice. “The greatest power we have is the power of choice. It is an actual fact, that if you have been groping under unhappiness, you can choose to be joyous, instead. And, by effort, lift yourself into joy. If you tend to be fearful, you can overcome that misery by choosing to have courage. The whole trend and the quality of anyone’s life is determined by the choices that are made”.
“Choosing” is the most important activity of your mind, because by making a choice, you are proclaiming your desires to your subconscious mind. Once the subconscious mind gets to know your desires, it is going to do anything to manifest them in your life. The choices you make in your life become your goal. And, if you are sincere in pursuing them, there is no reason why you can't accomplish them.
Indecision, on the other hand, not only creates frustration and anxiety, but can also confuse the subconscious mind about what you want. But it is important that the choices you make are made by you, in accordance with your true desires, purposes and aptitude. A lot of us let others make choices for us, or make our choices according to what we think is ‘correct’, even if that means that we go against our wishes. What is right for someone else may not be right for you, and the way to know this is listening to what your heart says.
So, to begin with, make a list of things which interest you; things which you have always enjoyed, which make you feel better, which inspire you to surge ahead, no matter what obstacles you face. Do you like doing something creative, or something scientific? Do you enjoy nature? Do you like the sea? Do you enjoy baking? Do you enjoy cleaning or organising? Do you enjoy helping others? Do you get pleasure out of making a difference in other people’s life? Do enjoy fashion?
Whatever it is that interests you, write it down and answer these questions:
What thing do you love to do?
What is it that you love in this thing and why?
How could you do this for money, and make a living out of it?
Creating Your Underlying Principle
The next step is to examine the list you just made and find out if there is any recurring theme. Maybe, it is the contribution that keeps coming up, or an effect to seek or give love, or helping your parents cope with old age. Whatever it is, try to identify the central theme of the things you love to do, and try to put it in a short and precise statement. This will be your ‘Mission Statement’. It may even be a quote by a famous person, or a philosophy that has influenced you. As you evolve, this statement may do so too, but its soul will remain the same. Now, take the time to write down your Mission Statement below:
Aligning Your LIFE With Your Underlying Principle
The final step in this journey is to map your path to your ultimate purpose and to begin implementing changes that help to align your daily life with your underlying purpose. By making these little changes in your lifestyle, you will start to be able to begin living this principle out each and every day. Begin to embody what it is that you want. For example, if you are not currently working, but would like to find the perfect job/career/business for you, begin to wake up and prepare yourself as if you are going to work. Create a vision board of how you would love to see your life in the next few years, or even just this year. Begin to imagine yourself doing whatever it is that you love and start to action it out in whatever way you can, to start making your dreams a reality. It might take a few days or weeks to realign to this new mindset, but by becoming aware and intentional of this underlying principle of your life, you will certainly start to feel the difference in your enthusiasm for life as a whole. If you realise that you love being amidst nature, plan out your days around, exploring nature in different locations. If you discover that
you enjoy helping those in need, start to look for opportunities to volunteer in your community or researching places to assist at. On the other hand, you might even want to change your job, or start a new business that is more in line with your mission. If you would like to create a business, I would invite you to learn everything you can from someone who is a successful business owner in your niche. You can often find this by a simple google of youtube search, or even books to help you with this. Absorb as much as you can from successful people, as they have been down the road and often know what works best etc. though bear in mind that everyone's journey is unique and what fits for one person may not fit for another. The most important thing to remember is it must feel aligned at the soul for YOU.
So there you have it! By following along with the steps outlined above, you will be on your way to finding and living out your purpose. And, as you go through this process, just remember, “You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your purpose, and to do it courageously.” - Steve Maraboli
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DISCLAIMER:
This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding any type of mental or physical issues. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
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