In today's fast-paced world, many of us tirelessly chase what we believe to be our dream life. Trust me, I’ve been there and once I got some of the things I “thought” I wanted… it turned out to be a bigger burden than dream.
Some of us might be budding entrepreneurs, burning the midnight oil to nurture our startups. Others might be ambitious professionals, eyeing that next big promotion or scaling career ladders. Yet, despite the relentless hustle and the passion we pour into our endeavors, success can sometimes feel elusive, just a fingertip away. Ever wondered why? Perhaps what’s missing isn't more effort or better strategies, but a deep-rooted alignment with our life’s true purpose.
Imagine for a moment, your life’s purpose as a compass – not just any compass, but a golden one, intricately designed just for you. Hence, this compass doesn’t merely point north; it points to your ‘true north', aligning every decision, every action, and every moment with what genuinely resonates with your soul. Discovering your purpose isn’t just an aspirational phrase; it's akin to unearthing a magical key. A key that doesn't just unlock doors, but aligns every facet of your life, turning challenges into stepping stones and transforming the daily grind into a journey of passion and fulfillment.
So, if you're ready to shift your mindset from struggle to unparalleled success, it's time to embark on the most profound journey of self-discovery. This doesn't mean that it's going to be easy, but it will require you to have an open mind. It will require you to see things differently. Even the small things might not be what they seem as you dive into living more of your purpose.
Let's dive deep into these five transformative steps that will not only illuminate your path but also ensure that every step you take resonates with what you intuition.
5 Steps to Living Your Purpose
We will explore the steps and dive into how you can ask yourself these important questions.
Explore Your Own Heart aka Look Within
In a world where everyone seems to have an opinion on what you should do and who you should be, it's easy to get lost in the noise. Trust me, I've been there. It really is like being in a loud, crowded room where everyone is shouting directions at you. You can't even hear your own thoughts! It feels “foggy” to me. And honestly, It’s tempting to just follow the crowd or listen to someone else’s advice. It feels easy, right? But the truth is, your own perfect path is like a treasure map that only you can read. You just have to want to take the time to read it.
Can I be completely honest? Taking the time to really explore is the hardest part, in my opinion. It forces you to sit with yourself and figure out how to live a more purposeful life. I feel like I'm constantly telling myself to take a deep breath and keep moving on.
Your dream life, the one that’s perfectly tailored to you, is not something you will find in someone else’s playbook. It’s not in your best friend’s dreams, your parents' expectations, or the latest social media influencer's lifestyle. It’s in your heart, waiting like a secret message for you to uncover.
Imagine your heart as a wise friend, who knows you better than anyone else. To hear this friend, you need to give yourself some quiet time. This could be through journaling, where you let your thoughts flow onto paper without worrying about sounding perfect or making sense. Think of it as having a conversation with your own heart, letting it tell you what makes it happy and what dreams it has for you.
Or it could be through meditation, where you sit quietly and focus on your breathing, letting your mind settle down like a jar of glittery water, until you can see clearly through it. Similar to a snow globe and you let the snow fall and sit still.
Or through brainstorming, where you let your imagination run wild and think of all the amazing possibilities your life could hold, without worrying about what’s realistic or what other people might think.
The most important thing is to create that special time where it’s just you and your own heart, talking and dreaming together. In this magical space, you’ll find the clues to your unique purpose and the path that will bring your heart’s deepest wishes to life.
Listen to Your Inner Guide aka Intuition
Have you ever had a gut feeling about something, a sense that you can't quite put into words, but you just know it’s right—or wrong—for you? That’s your intuition, and it's like your own personal guide in the journey of life. It’s not loud and noisy like the voices we often hear from the outside world. Instead, it’s gentle and subtle, like a soft whisper that nudges you in a certain direction.
Imagine you’re on a path, and there are signposts all along the way. These signs aren’t written in bold letters; they’re more like hints or feelings that guide you.
That’s your intuition.
Sometimes, it might steer you away from the well-trodden path—like pursuing a college degree just because it’s the ‘normal’ thing to do, or adopting a selling technique that everyone else swears by but just doesn't sit right with you.
Photo by Content Pixie on Unsplash
Your intuition is your heart's way of communicating what it truly desires. It’s like your internal compass, helping you navigate through life’s many choices. It’s your own secret weapon in making decisions that are aligned with your true self.
Here’s the empowering part: You have complete permission to trust this inner guide. If something doesn’t feel right, you don’t have to do it, even if everyone else thinks it’s the best thing in the world. On the flip side, if something feels exciting and alive, even if it’s unconventional or a little scary, that’s your intuition telling you to go for it.
When you start to trust and listen to this inner wisdom, you’re not just randomly wandering; you're navigating your life with a sense of purpose and authenticity. You become like a skilled captain of your own ship, steering with confidence and heading towards a destination that promises not just success, but deep contentment and joy, because it’s your journey, one that you’ve chosen with your whole heart.
I know I mentioned this above, but this is YOUR journey. Your TRUTH. Your Purpose! There will be so many people, even the ones who are closest to you, who will have an opinion. They will think they are making a “positive impact” on you by sharing their beliefs. But the best way to finding purpose is through your inner guide. And remember there is no right way or wrong way, it's just a different way.
Embrace the Tango with Fear
Let's get real. Living the status quo is like serving up a big ol' bowl of vanilla ice cream when you know darn well there's a world of flavors out there. Okay, vanilla *is* one of my favorite flavors but you can dress it up with sprinkles, chocolate, caramel and so many other yummy things so that it has pizzazz. I guess, that's not the point, eh?
The point is to ask if you're scared of the unknown? Honestly, who isn't? I think that's what makes this life so beautiful… all of us have something that we are afraid of. And I know I'm afraid of the unknown. But that's no reason to live life from the safety of the kiddie pool.
What would it look like if you step into your fear? That's where life starts dancing to your tune. Choosing to live aligned with your heart's desire, your values, and that little spark inside you means saying, “Hey Fear, let's tango!” Or if you're me and you love to get low, you can say, “Hey fear, let's drop it like its hot.” I promise you, it DOES get easier as you step into the fear. It doesn't necessarily stop the fear. But the first step is to take the first step.
So grab that fear like it's the last piece of chocolate cake at Christmas dinner, and stride right out of that comfort zone like it's a walk in the park. Why? Because you were meant to thrive, not just survive. Now go unleash that purpose-driven life you're destined for, and show the world what you've got!
And yes, I know this feels a little hoo-rah-rah ish. For me, in order to break old patterns and move closer to figuring out my meaning of life, my purpose, I need to give myself a little pep talk. If the pep is too peppy for you, that's A-OK friend. You know what works best for you, do it. However,
Break Free from Your To-Do List
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to get tangled up in a web of endless tasks and to-do lists. I know with my Facebook Ads Agency, having 2 kids in multiple sports and trying to keep our house semi-clean, it feels like I'm racing against time. Moreover, I would feel like I don't have a specific purpose other than to get from here to there and I just would feel blah. I was trying to check off ALL the boxes and complete chores, all the while thinking that someday, once everything is done, I'll finally have the chance to live my dreams. NEWSFLASH: that ‘someday' might never come if you're forever bound by your never-ending to-do list.
I realized I was living my life for others. Additionally, I had this limiting belief that I couldn't create AND take action on my own meaningful goals.
Let's just get down to it so you can create more life satisfaction.
Think of your life as a beautiful, intricate painting, filled with vibrant colors and textures. If you're stuck only using a small corner of the canvas, constantly painting tiny details and ignoring the big picture, you'll never create the masterpiece that represents your true purpose. Your one shot at life deserves more than being confined to an ongoing checklist.
Mic drop.
Reflection On Living Your Purpose
Okay, seriously though. I want you to take a moment and reflect on some things.
Take a moment and really look at that list of tasks. Ask yourself, “Are these things leading me toward my dreams? Are they helping me build the life I truly desire?” Be honest with yourself, because the answers might surprise you.
More questions that you can ask but aren't required:
- Do the current daily actions I take help move me closer to living a more meaningful life?
- Are the tasks on my to-do list things that really are mine or those of family members that have other expectations of me?
- Do these things correlate with my core values?
Many items on that list may not be essential at all. In fact, they could be things you're doing out of habit. As well as because someone else is expecting you to. So go ahead and boldly scrub some of them out. It's okay to say ‘no' to things that don't align with your vision.
Other tasks could be handed over to someone else. Delegating doesn't mean you're shirking responsibility; it means you're wisely investing your time in what really matters. By freeing yourself from unnecessary obligations, you create space for what truly ignites your passion and moves you closer to your purpose.
Remember, your to-do list is just a tool, not a master. Don't let it dictate how you live your life or divert you from the path that leads to your authentic self. Let go of the chains that bind you to a never-ending cycle of tasks, and give yourself the freedom to embrace the vibrant, purpose-driven life that's waiting just beyond that list.
NOTE: I also want to note that you might be in a season of life where you are taking care of people (babies, little kids, kids who need extra help, older adults, etc)! I'm generalizing this, but I want you to take this and customize it to your life. This isn't a right thing or a wrong thing. This is a review for you to truly understand what will create a life of purpose for you. And you could already have a super happy life right now. Fabulous! I don't think you would be reading this if that were true, but if you do, I'm happy for you. Our goal should be to uplift each other. So keep on keeping on.
Discover the Treasure Within You
One of the most empowering truths you can embrace is this: You don't need to search far and wide for what you need to live your life's purpose. You don't need to break the bank on expensive courses, chase after the latest trends, or surround yourself with flashy possessions like the ‘perfect' suit or car. Who would even want to wear a fancy suit? No. Thank you.
There is good news!
The key to unlocking your potential isn't hidden in external things; it's within you, waiting to be discovered.
It took me a long time to understand this. Seriously, until my thirties to really understand this.
Imagine yourself as the hero of an exciting adventure story. You've journeyed through mountains and valleys, faced challenges, and searched for a hidden treasure. The twist in the tale? The treasure was never “out there.” It's been within you all along. Truly, a sparkling chest filled with creativity, passion, wisdom, and everything else you need to live your best life.
The sense of meaning was in me all along.
What's truly important is how you choose to use this treasure. It's like having a box of vibrant colors; you can create anything you want, but you have to pick up the brush and start painting. The canvas of your life is ready, and today is the best day to make that first bold stroke getting you closer to living your purpose.
You see, living your purpose isn't about chasing something elusive or waiting until everything is perfect. Additionally, it's about recognizing your innate abilities, your unique gifts, and the passions that set your heart on fire. It's about taking action, trusting yourself, and realizing that you already have everything you need to create a life that is not just successful, but deeply fulfilling and true to who you are.
Embrace this truth, and you free yourself from the endless pursuit of ‘more.' In fact, you find MORE contentment and power in the present moment, knowing that you are enough, and you have enough. So why wait? The adventure of your life, guided by your purpose, begins now. All you have to do is trust in yourself and take that first exciting step.
Questions To Ask Yourself To Start Living Your Purpose
Now that we've talked about diving within and really finding a strong sense of purpose,let's talk questions.
I'm sharing these to help you get creative and think outside the box. These are just questions for you to reflect on when you want to. You can take what you like and leave what you don't. I just know it's been so helpful for me to have a starting point.
Photo by Isaac Smith on Unsplash
These are questions I tend to ask myself throughout the year. And remember there aren't any right or wrong answers. You shouldn't be judging yourself – I repeat DO NOT judge yourself. Observe your answers and check in with yourself to see if you might want to change things. As you're going through these think about if there's a specific area of life that you want to focus on as you're doing this too?
- What Am I Passionate About?
- Are there activities or subjects make me lose track of time?
- What hobbies or projects excite me and fill me with energy?
- What Are My Strengths and Talents?
- When I'm with others, what do they often compliment me on?
- Are there tasks come naturally to me, and what do I excel at?
- What Core Values Are Important to Me?
- Are there principles or beliefs guide my decisions?
- What am I unwilling to compromise on?
- How Do I Want To Leave An Impact?
- How do I want to contribute to others or the world around me?
- What legacy do I want to leave behind?
- What Makes Me Feel Fulfilled?
- When have I felt the most satisfied and content in life?
- What common elements can I find in those fulfilling moments?
- Are There Fears or Beliefs That May Be Holding Me Back?
- What inner barriers might be preventing me from pursuing my dreams?
- What would I do if I were not afraid of failing?
- How Would I Create My Ideal Day Look Like?
- If I had no restrictions, how would I spend my time?
- What can I do to align my daily life with this ideal?
- Who Do I Admire and Appreciate, and Why?
- What qualities or achievements do I admire in others?
- How might I incorporate some of those admired aspects into my own life?
- Where Do I Feel Most at Home?
- In what environments or situations do I feel the most comfortable and authentic?
- How can I create more of those spaces in my life?
- What Small Step Can I Take Today?
- What immediate action can I take that aligns with my purpose or passions?
- How can I make consistent progress toward my goals?
These are just a few questions that I thought will get your mind going in a powerful way. Take the time to answer some of them and let yourself journal and let loose. Your answers might not even go in any sort of direction that you were thinking about. BUT at least you're getting closer to feeling into what feels good to you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, creating purpose of life isn't just about the “to-do” list. Above all, it's about creating a healthy life, a joyful life, a life you want to live. Even when you're down and out, it's about protecting your peace. And protecting your joy and living in different ways than everyone else. Are there any questions that you use to reflect on your purpose and how you want to show up? I would love to hear about them below!
Additionally, if you're looking for support with how to come up with your purpose to truly be living your purpose and to set goals around it, grab my 3-Day Voxer Access to me! Voxer is like a walkie-talkie app where we can chat back and forth! Let's get clarity for you!
