3 Steps to Discovering Your Life’s Purpose
Finding our life’s purpose can be one of the most difficult questions that we as humans must attempt to answer. We will go through a step-by-step process in this article, investigating your feelings and choices, and by the conclusion, you should have a reasonably solid tool you can immediately apply in your life to help give it a meaningful direction.
The process for discovering your life’s purpose consists of three steps:
- Identifying your intention: why do you make a specific decision.
- Identifying your motivation.
The first two steps will help you recognise your ‘core values’: what matter to you most and the reasons why you make the choices you do. And finally,
- Aligning your life with your intention and motivation.
1. Identifying Your Intention
This is what Norman Vincent Peale, a protestant clergyman and an author best known for popularizing the concept of positive thinking, has to say about the power of choice. “The greatest power we have is the power of choice. It is an actual fact, that if you have been groping under unhappiness, you can choose to be joyous, instead. And, by effort, lift yourself into joy. If you tend to be fearful, you can overcome that misery by choosing to have courage. The whole trend and the quality of anyone’s life is determined by the choices that are made”.
The Power of Choice
“Choosing” is the most crucial activity of your mind since it communicates your desires to your subconscious mind. When your subconscious mind learns about your desires, it will go to any length to make them a reality in your life. The decisions you make in life become your goal. And, if you are honest in your pursuit, there is no reason why you should not achieve them.
In contrast, indecision not only causes frustration and anxiety, but it can also confuse the subconscious mind about what you want. However, it is critical that the decisions you make be your own, based on your genuine desires, intentions, and abilities. Many of us allow others decide our decisions for us, or we make our own decisions based on what we believe is ‘right,’ even if it means going against our wishes. What is good for someone else may not be right for you, and the only way to tell is to listen to your heart.
What YOU can do
To begin, write a list of things that interest you; things that you have always enjoyed, things that make you feel better, things that inspire you to keep going no matter what hurdles you face. For example, Do you enjoy doing something creative or artistic? Do you enjoy outdoors in nature? Do you enjoy the sea? Do you like helping others? Or, do you enjoy making a difference in other people’s lives?
Write down whatever captivates your interest and answer to the following questions:
- What is your favourite pastime?
- What do you love about this thing, and why?
- How could you possibly do this for money and make a living.
- How could you possibly do this for money and make a living.
2. Identifying Your Motivation
The next step is to go over your list and see if there is any recurring theme. Perhaps it is contribution or giving to others, or assisting your parents in their old age, that keeps popping up. There was a reason why you enjoyed what you did. Whatever it is, try to pinpoint the central theme of what you enjoy doing and express it in a brief and simple statement. Mostly, it is what brings us true joy!
Your Mission Statement
This is your mission statement. It may even be a quote by a famous person, or a philosophy that has influenced you. Of course, as you grow up, this statement could evolve, but its soul will remain the same. Get in touch with what really matters to you to find out the underlying reason for the choices you make on daily bases. When you are ready, write down your Mission Statement having uncovered, or Unboxed, what your core values are.
3. Aligning Your Life with Your Intention & Motivation
The final step in this process is to chart your path to your ultimate intention and to start implementing changes that will help you connect your daily life with your underlying motivation.
For instance, if your intention is to buy the most expensive watch, and your motivation is to make your colleagues jealous; then your underlying principle of choice is not going to lead to you to your life purpose. Check with yourself, is this truly what brings you joy? What warms up your heart and fires your engines?
By making these small intentional modifications to your lifestyle, you will be able to start living this principle every day. It may take a few days but becoming aware and intentional about this underlying principle of your life will undoubtedly make a difference in your overall passion for life.
Making Choices & Shaping Your Life Purpose
For example, if you identify that you love being amidst nature, plan out your holiday. Maybe an outing with your children could be enough to recoup with your energy. If you discover that you enjoy helping those in need, start to look for opportunities to volunteer in your community. On the other hand, you might even want to change your job, or start a new business that is more in line with your mission.
That’s all there is to it! By following the steps outlined above, you will be well on your way to discovering and living your purpose. And, as you go through this, keep in mind that “You were put on this earth to achieve your greatest self, to live out your purpose, and to do it courageously.” – Steve Maraboli (a recipient of the prestigious United Nations Award for Philanthropy and continues to serve in support of Global Literacy and Education.)
Unbox with Sahar Life Mentoring
Understanding the underlying principle for making your choices and how it impacts your life and purpose is not only essential but also empowering. Life does not just happen. We direct it. The more skilful director of your life you become, the more joy and fulfilment you will experience. My 30-year experience as a professional intuitive and a life guide, or mentor, is what is unique about how I can help you design the life you are meant to live.
And you have the power of choice. Taking the online Unbox Mentoring Assessment today and let me help you chart the path to fulfilling your life purpose: an intentional new life, where you enjoy what you do and how you live.