Have you ever had that random moment where you wonder about what your purpose in life is? I know I have. It’s a question that has crossed the minds of many and for good reason. Discovering our purpose allows us to understand the true meaning of our existence, leading to personal growth and transformation. On top of that, it also helps us become more influential and respected leaders with a deep sense of joy and fulfillment.
So, to give you more clarity on this subject, let’s explore how to find your purpose and how it can positively impact your life.
Why Is Finding Purpose Important?
Before we dive deeper into the topic, let’s start by defining what purpose is in the context of life. Most psychologists refer to purpose as the overarching intention to accomplish something that’s both meaningful to you and the world around you. It’s about understanding what drives you and what gives your life a sense of meaning and fulfillment.
Purpose is subjective which means that what is meaningful to us may not necessarily resonate with another person. That’s why it’s crucial to discover our individual purpose and meaning, tailored specifically to our values, passions, and strengths.
So, why is it important to have a clear understanding of our purpose or role in life? Well, a sense of purpose provides us with direction and clarity. It helps us set meaningful goals and make decisions that align with our values and passions. Given that life is full of unexpected twists and turns, recognizing our true purpose makes it easier for us to feel motivated, focused, and even happier.
The benefits of finding our purpose doesn’t only stop there. In fact, it was found in a study that people who were more aware of their sense of purpose lived longer because they were more proactive in choosing better lifestyle choices. Another study also found that people who discovered their purpose had higher levels of income and net worth.
Aside from that, these were also the same people who were found to have better emotional recovery and resilience to trauma. It seems that finding your purpose can be the magic ingredient towards achieving a euphoric life in all aspects.
Leadership And Finding Purpose
Finding our purpose is also strongly connected to becoming an influential and respected leader. The role of a leader in any setting is significant because we are not only deciding for ourselves but also for other people too. That’s why it’s important to be driven with purpose so we know how to set our goals and manage our expectations in a way that is also beneficial to those around us.
So, if we have a clear understanding of our role, it allows us to gain a sense of direction. Through that, we can make calculated decisions that are specifically aligned with our vision for the team. And, because we know what path to take, we are able to lead with intention and conviction, guiding our team toward success.
Another thing about being a purpose-driven leader is that we naturally radiate confidence and authenticity. When we know what we want in life it’s easy to say no to things we know will not help us get to that finish line. As a result, we are able to focus only on the things that matter and channel this energy of passion and conviction into our leadership style. When our teammates see that we are focused and serious about leading the team to success, they see us as a compelling and inspiring figure to follow.
This natural alignment between our purpose and our actions resonates with the team, creating a sense of trust and loyalty. And, because we wholeheartedly believe in what we are doing and in the genuineness of our actions, it creates a ripple effect where our team members are motivated to give their best to help the team succeed as well. That way, we are also helping them give meaning to their role in the team, cultivating the same sense of purpose.
Ways To Discover Your Purpose In Life
Now that I’ve explained what it means to be a person and leader with a sense of purpose, you’re probably wondering, how do I find my passion and purpose in life? The journey to discovering our purpose may seem like a long process, but the good news is that it’s not an impossible task. To help you get started on that, here are a couple of things you can do.
1. Reflect on your passions and interests
Our purpose in life is something that motivates us to wake up every single day. It’s an activity or role that leaves us feeling fulfilled every time we accomplish it. Looking back, these are things that probably have always piqued our interest. So, take time to identify the activities, subjects, or causes that genuinely excite and engage you.
What do you enjoy doing? What brings you joy and fulfillment? Or in the perspective of a leader: what is something I’m good at that I can use to help my team? By exploring your passions, you are already a step closer towards your purpose.
2. Assess your values and beliefs
Another thing we need to do is to reflect on our core values and beliefs. Doing this allows us to become more aware of who we are as a person, what our values are, and why we think a certain way, among others. So now ask yourself, what principles do you hold dear? What do you stand for? Understanding your values can guide you in discovering a purpose that aligns with what is most important to you.
3. Identify your strengths and talents
The next step is to recognize our unique strengths, skills, and talents. What are you naturally good at? What activities come effortlessly to you?
Identifying our strengths helps us to uncover areas where we can make meaningful impact to the world and people around us.
4. Seek new experiences and challenges
It’s also best to step outside your comfort zone and engage in new experiences. I’m sure many of us go through life as if we’re in a “default mode,” where we casually go through our day, finishing every task that needs to be done the way it always has been. Life moves on, and there is really no pause button for it, which is why it’s no surprise that most of us choose to live through each day in a repetitive pattern.
But, by trying out different activities, you can immerse yourself in new environments and take on challenges that can broaden your perspective and help you discover new passions and interests.
5. Learn from role models and mentors
Seeking inspiration from individuals who embody the qualities and purpose you admire is also a helpful way to understand ourselves better. We can learn from their experiences so that we, too, can adapt in certain aspects of our life. As leaders, engaging in conversations with mentors likewise allows us to gain support and guidance in exploring our purpose along the way.
6. Volunteer and engage in community service
Dedicating time to volunteer work or community service is the best way to cultivate one’s purpose. When we engage in activities that benefit others and contribute to the greater good, it provides us a sense of fulfillment, helping us to discover a purpose rooted in making a positive impact on society.
7. Embrace self-reflection and journaling
There is no better way to search for your purpose in life than to self-reflect. Setting aside regular time for self-reflection and introspection allows us to look inwardly. It helps us step back and gain a neutral perspective about ourselves.
One powerful tool that can also help us is journaling. Journaling allows us to explore our thoughts, feelings, and desires. We can also use it to look back on everyday things and experiences that happen in our lives and discover what brought us joy and fulfillment. So, start writing about your dreams, aspirations, and the impact you want to have on this world.
8. Embrace curiosity and continuous learning
Cultivate a sense of curiosity and a thirst for knowledge. The world is full of surprises and possibilities and by exploring new subjects and pursuing learning opportunities, you can engage in lifelong learning that can help you learn more about yourself. By embracing continuous learning, it can lead you to a path of new insights and directions where you might just be surprised of what you’ll discover about your purpose.
9. Pay attention to what energizes you
You may also want to start paying attention to activities or situations that energize and invigorate you. What makes you lose track of time? What activities make you feel a sense of flow and fulfillment? Knowing these things will provide you clues of what purpose you may want to pursue in life.
10. Trust the journey and be patient
And last but not least is to be patient with yourself and trust that the answers will unfold in due course. Discovering your purpose is a process that takes time and self-discovery. So, allow yourself the freedom to explore and evolve along the way.
Lead A More Fulfilling Life With Purpose
If there’s one thing you need to remember throughout this journey of finding your purpose it is that it will take time. It’s not something you may be able to achieve by tomorrow, the day after that, a month or even a year from now and that’s okay because it happens to many of us. So let’s be gentle with ourselves and never compare our journey with that of others. Focus only on your path and who knows, eventually one day you’ll realize that you’ve already found it.
And, remember, our goal as leaders in searching for our purpose is not only to understand ourselves but also to serve others better. So, if you find yourself asking “What keeps me from finding my purpose?,” don’t worry, just begin the process, enjoy the journey, and I’m sure you’ll eventually get there.
And if you need help navigating through this journey, don’t worry because I’m here to help you through it. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get out there, discover what our true purpose is and live a fulfilling and happy life!
