In today's article we look at 9 ways to discover your purpose in life. This is an quick overview of the topic, which you can find discussed in detail in the series 'Finding Your Life Purpose'
Life is more meaningful if you have a purpose. Life is also a lot simpler if you know what you’re working toward. Decisions are easier to make than when you’re just floating through life. Having your life focused on something creates some peace.
Even if you’ve never considered your purpose, it’s not too late. It’s worth your time to figure it out.
Each day of living your purpose is an enjoyable and worthwhile day.
Follow these steps to determine your purpose:
- 1Believe that you have a meaningful purpose.
If you believe that life has no meaning and that you have no purpose, you’ll never find your purpose. The first step is always belief. Be positive that you have a purpose, and that you’re going to discover it. You can find more on beliefs here and here.
- 2Know your values.
Your values can provide significant clues to your purpose. If your most important values are contribution, kindness, and honesty, your purpose will be very different than if your most important values are success, popularity, and money.
You can find more on values here. I also recommend a very good book called 'The Values Factor', by Dr John Demartini.
- 3What gives you energy?
Ask yourself these questions:
- 4What and whom do you admire?
Consider...
- 5Consider the end of your life.
Imagine you’re at the end of your life:
- 6Describe your ideal life.
What is your ideal life?
What would be your ideal day?
Your purpose in life will mesh well with your ideal life. When you know one, the other becomes more obvious.
- 7When were you the happiest?
Think back on your life to this point. When did you experience the greatest amount of happiness? How can you use that information to find your purpose?
- 8What makes you cry?
Is it watching someone overcome great adversity? Is it one of those commercials with the abused cats and dogs? Anything that brings about strong emotions can provide a clue to your purpose.
- 9Which of the following feels most relevant to you?
Read this list and see which resonates the most with you.
Which of these feels the best to you? We’re not talking about which one sounds the most proper or ethical to you, but which one feels really good when you think about it? This can provide a huge clue about the nature of your purpose.
If you don’t know your purpose in life, now is the time to figure it out. The recent pandemic has only driven home the fact that life is short. Why live another day without a well-defined direction?
This is a great opportunity to reorient your life and your priorities.
Discover your purpose today. Your life can be different.
Suggested Reading: the 10 part series Finding Your Life Purpose