Introduction
Finding your purpose in life is a journey of self-discovery, reflection, and understanding. It is a process of asking dynamic questions of yourself and deeply exploring the answers. In this guide, we will provide an overview of the process of finding your purpose and life meaning, explore techniques that may be helpful to uncover your personal values and authentic life purpose, and discuss how to make meaning out of your life choices.
What is a Purpose?
Purpose is the driving force behind action and progress. It is a personal mission that seeks fulfillment in life. Life purpose can vary from individual to individual, depending on their goals, values, and beliefs. That said, our purpose across all people may be summed up in a single quote by Henry David Thoreau: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
Exploring Yourself
The first step in uncovering your purpose is to take time to explore your true self: your thoughts, feelings, interests, values, and beliefs. Taking time to get to know yourself can unearth realms of personal insight that can be fertile ground for discovering your purpose in life.
What questions can I ask myself to determine my purpose in life?
1. What do I believe in?
2. What makes me feel fulfilled?
3. What are my passions?
4. What am I good at?
5. What do I want to contribute to the world?
6. What values do I want to live by?
7. What makes me feel alive?
8. How can I make a positive impact on those around me?
9. What would make me proud of my life?
10. What makes me unique?
Self-Reflection
Reflection is an important aspect of self-exploration. Consider the questions that drive who you are and why: What makes you feel alive? What issues and beliefs are most important to you? What values guide daily decisions? Investigate your natural habits and inclinations to identify any patterns and clues as to what you find most meaningful in life.
Example:
Alice is a recent college graduate who finds herself lost and without a clear purpose. She spends an hour every day reflecting on her interests, values, and goals to identify what is most important to her in life. Over time, she identifies that she has a passion for conservation and sustainability and decides to pursue her passion further.
Example:
Jack is a young entrepreneur who is actively involved in his community. He reflects on his journey thus far and realizes that he has a strong passion for connecting people through collaborative efforts. This sparks a drive within to work towards creating meaningful and lasting change in the local community.
Practical Exercises
Once you have taken time to reflect on your life and uncovered some unique interests, passions, and values, consider what practical steps may be taken to put your newfound knowledge to action.
Example:
Alice has identified that she is passionate about conservation and sustainability. She takes practical steps to learn more about environmental protection, such as reading books, attending seminars and workshops, and volunteering with local environmental organizations.
Example:
Jack has identified that he is passionate about connecting people in the local community. He takes practical steps, such as hosting get-togethers for locals, facilitating workshops for civic leaders on the importance of collaboration, and organizing projects to benefit the wider community.
Internalizing Your Purpose
Once you have identified your values and what you are passionate about in life, it is important to internalize your purpose and set meaningful goals to help you stay on track. With goals and vision firmly in place, you can make clear, conscious choices to move towards your purpose.
Goal Setting
When creating goals, consider your values and passions. Set realistic milestones and establish a plan of action by breaking each goal down into manageable steps. Writing down your goals and continually assessing and readjusting your plan are important tools for successful goal-setting.
Example:
Alice sets goals related to her purpose and passions by creating a five-year plan that she reviews annually and adjusts as needed. Her goals include learning more about climate change, advocating for environmental protection, and organizing her own group dedicated to conservation efforts.
Example:
Jack breaks down his purpose into actionable goals by setting both short-term and long-term goals. His short-term goals include attending local events to meet and network with people, while his long-term goals are to create meaningful and sustainable change through positive impact projects and initiatives.
Making Meaning Out Of Life Choices
Making choices that align with our purpose and passions can often be challenging. Enjoying a sense of accomplishment and self-fulfillment can be a valuable reward for making life choices that are true to our values and goals.
Example:
Alice continues to build a successful career in conservation and sustainability despite the many obstacles she faces. She makes forward progress by looking back on past successes and valuing her accomplishments along the way.
Example:
Jack works hard to create lasting change through his professional and community efforts. He measures his success by the moments in which he can make meaningful connections or experiences with others.
What can I do to figure out my purpose in life?
1. Meditate and practice mindfulness: Take time to be mindful and be aware of your feelings, thoughts, and emotions. This practice can help you to become more self-aware and learn what truly matters to you, thus providing insight on your life’s purpose.
2. Talk to others and seek advice: Talk to people who have already achieved what you want to do. See what wisdom and advice they can impart to you that can guide you in your journey to finding your life’s purpose.
3. Follow your heart: It can be hard to take the time and really ask yourself, “What do I really want to do with my life?” Doing something you love, no matter how simple or small it might seem, can be a great start in figuring out your purpose and what matters to you.
4. Explore the world: Adventure and travel can really help to open your eyes to new perspectives, opportunities, and goals in life. Step out of your comfort zone and explore everything the world has to offer.
5. Write it down: Writing down your thoughts, desires, and dreams can help to clarify and solidify them. Writing down your thoughts can help you narrow down what matters to you and help you to focus on what your life’s purpose is.
6. Spend time in nature: Taking the time to appreciate and explore nature can have a positive impact on finding your purpose and appreciating life. Connecting with nature can be calming and nurturing, helping to give you the clarity and insight you need to answer the questions within yourself.
What steps can I take to find my purpose in life?
1. Reflect on Your Values and Interests: Take some time to think about what values are important to you and what kind of activities give you joy. Consider whether your passions align with your current career and if not, what kind of opportunities exist for making a career change.
2. Explore Your Options: Research and explore different career fields or entrepreneurial opportunities. Many times, when we get an idea of what the possibilities are, we can narrow down our choices and make more informed decisions.
3. Seek Guidance and Mentorship: Talk to family members, friends, or mentors who have gone down the path of finding their purpose. Ask them for insight and advice on how they found success, what challenges they faced and overcame, and what advice they have for you. Also consider attending workshops, conferences, or taking classes in order to learn more, network, and build new skills.
4. Interrogate Your Life: Pay close attention to aspects of your daily life that bring you joy, make you excited, or challenge you in new ways. Talk to people and pay attention to their stories. Make a list of activities, skills or strengths that you most enjoy. Focus on what larger problems or issues you are passionate about and think about ways to become involved in initiatives that tackle them.
5. Take Action: Once you have identified what excites and motivates you, start taking steps to incorporate those elements into your life, as appropriate. Experiments, trips, and volunteering are useful ways to gain perspectives and experience to help you decide. Have an attitude of curiosity and willingness to explore, experiment, and make mistakes while continuing to learn.