3 Revealing Steps to Your Unique Life Purpose
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
The question sounds familiar. And, 5-year-old you must have said, “I want to be an astronaut.”
You grew up! But you didn’t become an astronaut. (Shocking, right?)
Instead, you finished college, started working, paid student debt, and had some fun in your 20s (wink). But then, life happened. Maybe a break-up, job loss, COVID-19 – you get the picture.
Grief and pain due to traumatic life events are what propels us at a million miles per hour onto an “is there more to life?” state of mind.
What is my life purpose? What did I come here to do in this lifetime?
If these questions are swirling in your head right now, look no further.
Here, we’re discussing ways in which you can find your purpose. Use these steps as a guide to help with your introspection and self-discovery.
Why Should I Find My Life Purpose?
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why” - Mark Twain
Your true calling or life purpose is like a compass. It fulfills you, empowers you, protects you, and helps you stay afloat when the world around is collapsing. So, why is it so difficult to find it?
Read Secrets to Inner Happiness to identify ways in which you can bring more joy to your everyday.
Why Can’t I Find My Life Purpose?
Societal conditioning, others’ expectations of us, prewritten scripts for “acceptable” career or life choices become hard-wired into our psyche. We are born with a set life path, but we grow to forget who we truly are and what we came here to do.
Very quickly, your deepest desires and dreams become lost in the noise. And you end up with a confused feeling of “I can’t find my life purpose.”
The good news is that if you’re asking Google about your true calling, it means you’ve already started on the journey! So hang in there just a bit longer.
Meanwhile, this well laid out action plan should help you navigate the twists and turns along your self-introspection path.
3 Steps to Finding Your Life Purpose
Step 1: Ask Yourself, “What Brings Me Joy?”
Each of us is born with a unique skill set and a list of strengths—these surface when we are exposed to hobbies in our childhood. Unfortunately, rules, responsibilities, and the pressure of paying bills force us to ignore what truly brings us joy.
Perhaps, within you, is a hidden singer, dancer, gardener, chef, artist, or maybe you possess the gift of the gab. Engaging yourself in tasks involving this skill makes your heart sing. It elevates your mood. Those around you take note of how happy you are.
For some, their hobbies are aligned with their unique skills. But maybe you haven’t the faintest clue where to begin. Here, we’ve listed questions to help you see through the blur:
- What do you love doing so much that you lose track of time?
- If you did not have to pay bills, what would you rather be doing all day?
- What activity makes you forget to eat on time?
- What can you do all day and not feel drained or bored?
- What activity feels therapeutic to you?
Understand that you can create value for those around you with the skills you innately possess.
Now, the first question that’ll pop into your head is, “I still need to pay my bills! How am I going to make a living with this hobby?”
We ask that you set aside this question for just a minute. We promise we’ll get back to it.
Step 2: Identify a Cause You Care About
As a race, we’ve been wired to lend our energy, resources, and time to others. This was what ensured our survival from caveman times. And so, contributing to uplifting another person naturally feels good. Serving others is a great way to tap into true happiness.
Just this past year, in 2020, so much has happened globally due to COVID-19. And so many lessons learned. Zoom out and take notice of world affairs. What caught your attention the most?
For starters, these are a few of many themes that came to the limelight:
- Racial injustice & inequality
- Mental health awareness
- Women’s empowerment
- Economic inequality
- Sustainability
- Policy, administration, & governance
- Health care research
Maybe there is some other cause/world issue (not on this list) that speaks personally to you and your life journey. Identify what it is and ask yourself why it matters to you.
Remember, knowing your “why” is vital.
Read Wellness trends of 2021 to see if any of these areas interest you.
Step 3: Identify Careers Which Combine Your Skill & Cause
Say, for instance, in step one, you’ve identified that you love writing and that you have a natural affinity for communication & language.
For step two, you’ve narrowed down on sustainability.
Seek out mentors who are contributing to this field. Write something about it for yourself. See how it makes you feel. Work on your craft.
Next, begin identifying how you can monetize this skill in the field that matters the most to you. Seek out opportunities to learn & grow. Know that your paycheck might not look anywhere close to what you had hoped for. But it’s okay to start small when on this path.
Live a Powerful, Purposeful Life
Finding your life path isn’t always going to be a bed of roses. You might have to shed a few tears (and beliefs). There will be challenges, but there’ll also be sweet victories.
Deep diving into the world of introspection for finding your life purpose is one of the most enriching, heart-rejoicing, and elevating experiences one can ever encounter.
We ask that you trust that there is a higher plan. Go YOLO with your life.
Live joyfully and purposefully!
Related article: 5 Valuable Lessons Learned from This Pandemic Year
