Finding our purpose in life is powerful. Knowing what we are “born to do” can make all the difference. Once we do, if we define something significant, measurable and tangible as our touchstone, this can provide a strong foundation on which to base virtually each decision and every choice we make. For example, when we know our purpose in life, it means when faced with a choice or decision we can always ask ourselves: does doing this align with my purpose? Having this context can help make almost every aspect of our lives simpler, focused, and more fulfilling. So, let’s dig into those challenging questions. What is my purpose? What was I born to do?
Finding The Answer: What is My Purpose?
There’s something we haven’t talked much about.
We can feel like we’re in touch with our life purpose, and that we are thriving.
Then, all it once, or sometimes gradually over time, we may begin to feel like things are out of sorts, or that we’ve gotten out of synch with our values and priorities.
The reason we may feel that, every few years to every decade or so.
It’s because finding our purpose in life is often not a one-time event.
- Perhaps something shakes our commitment to something we’ve been focused on for years.
- Maybe we feel like we’ve outgrown a past aspiration and need a new challenge.
- Or maybe a change steers our life in a completely new direction. We see opportunities and possibilities we never saw before. Maybe one of them sparks our interest and has us distracted from where we thought we were headed?
For these and many other reasons, what we were born to do in our 20s or 30s may be very different than what we realize as our true calling in our 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond.
And this recalibration may happen many times.
Some of our shifts in purpose may even seem contradictory to one another.
What feels right now may be very different than what felt right then.
But it doesn’t mean any of our areas of focus were or are off base.
What is My Purpose? Examples of Evolving Purpose in Life
A former pro athlete may join the priesthood. A building engineer may become a homesteader. Or a medical doctor may decide to restore cars for a living.
Or any of the above may discover a cause, a charity, or a challenge that profoundly shapes the next phase of their lives: research, writing a book, volunteering in a homeless shelter.
The bottom line is, whether or not we feel a need to move on, it’s worth checking back in every so often.
Both to see if we are still feeling fulfilled and satisfied, as well as to see what new opportunities may have arisen.
Change can inspire and refresh us, whether or not we realize we’re ready for it.
Is It Time to Reaffirm Your Purpose in Life?
Whether or not we think we have our purpose in life figured out, there’s never a bad time to do a bit of reflection to confirm or potentially tweak or alter course.
Answering these questions may help us figure out if there’s an opportunity to more fully explore something new:
- Do you dread work (or another aspect of your life) daily?
- Is it hard to concentrate on your work or home tasks?
- Do you seem to often find things to distract you from your everyday tasks and obligations?
- Have you become more prone to procrastination?
- Is your energy level low, even when doing something you used to find enjoyable?
- Do you feel as though you are struggling to be true to your values in the work you do or the everyday life you lead?
- Would you describe yourself as ‘miserable’ — ever?
- Do you feel as though there is something missing in your life?
- Are you unsure how to fill empty time when you have it?
- Do you daydream about a different job or life?
- Are you spending more time thinking about the past than the future?
What Is My Purpose?
What are your non-negotiables?
No matter where we are in the process of understanding our purpose in life, it’s important to understand our “non-negotiables”.
We each have our own must have’s, won’t dos, and essentials for contentedness.
Make lists of them. And revisit them, often. Because things change.
Examples of evolving conditions that may open the door to new opportunities include:
- When the children were young, a minimum of travel was essential. Maybe that’s no longer a non-starter when we become empty nesters? What new possibilities does this freedom afford us?
- Money used to be super tight. Now we may have more financial flexibility, thanks to good savings habits. Can we afford to take a cut in pay to pursue our lifelong passion?
- Perhaps we have more free time now than we used to. Can we invest some in taking a course or even pursuing a new or advanced degree?
What is My Purpose? How to Identify or Reaffirm Our Purpose in Life
If you are new to exploring the question of life purpose, it can be helpful to begin by reflecting on your gifts (what I call “superpowers”), as well as your skills and a few other things.
Once we are fortunate enough to have zeroed in on our purpose in life, we must then ask ourselves key questions. Constantly!
Being real and disciplined in this effort can help us “walk the talk” of pursuing our purpose in life.
With our purpose in life firmly in mind, let’s ask ourselves:
- How will I spend my morning?
- Who will I reach out to today?
- What 3 things are essential for me to accomplish this week?
- What am I afraid of?
- How can I move past my fear?
It’s important that we realize when we are off course.
And also, that we know when to celebrate.
Let’s be realistic about our talents, skills, resources, intellect, network, know-how.
Accept and embrace what we’re good at, as well as where we are challenged and need help.
Life is more beautiful when we discover (and re-discover) our purpose in life.
When was the last time you asked: What is my purpose?
Let’s help each other see our best selves and our best future and encourage one another to find the way to our dreams.
Want to take things to the next level? How about we develop Your Personal Mission Statement.
Thank you as always for reading.
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Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a health care executive and 15 years (and counting) as a consultant. The common thread through Joan’s professional life has been a commitment to lead, mentor and coach current and future leaders, and women from all walks of life. KindCompassCoach provides information and advice grounded in Joan’s personal experience; however, all articles are backed by research and provide facts and advice from a wide variety of experts. Joan also serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.
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