Many equate success to the amount of wealth they acquired or the power and status they have achieved. And while these things matter in their own right, this shouldn’t be the way we measure success. True success comes when you feel fulfilled in your purpose.
Living a life of purpose fills the emptiness in your heart and that nagging feeling that something is missing. To live with purpose is to understand why you were put on this earth and have faith in the things you do.
But what exactly is ‘purpose’?
Purpose can be defined as your central motivation - the reason you get out of bed every morning ready to conquer the day. Purpose guides when making decisions, shapes your goals in life, influences your behaviour and offers you a clear direction.
Purpose creates meaning in your life.
Some people find purpose in their everyday job. To them, it’s not just about the money, but more about the fulfilment they get when performing their role. Others find purpose in fulfilling their responsibility to their family while for others purpose is found in their religious and spiritual beliefs.
This just goes to show that purpose is unique to everyone. How you find meaning in life isn’t necessarily going to be the same for the next person.
The more you discover about yourself and why you’re alive, the happier you tend to be. So if you’re feeling a bit stuck on finding your purpose, here are a few questions you can ask yourself:
Who am I?
What makes me feel fulfilled?
How can I make an impact in this world?
Where do I belong on this earth?
Answering these questions will bring you one step closer to discovering your purpose.
7 ways to live a life of purpose
Now that you have a better idea of what purpose is, here are a few ways you can start living a life of purpose:
1. Stand firm in your values and beliefs
People who live with purpose often have some core values and beliefs that influence almost every aspect of their lives. Reflect on yourself and find what you believe in. Your beliefs will a significant role in how earn the respect and trust of others. They’ll shape your everyday life even help you determine your goals in life.
Once you’re aware of what you believe in, stand firm in it. Those that live in their beliefs and values trust their conscience and inner voice and aren’t as easily influenced by others. Just ensure you’re respectful of others even when your beliefs differ.
2. Set your priorities
If you want to live a life of purpose, you have to first identify what matters the most to you and consequently invest your time and effort into these activities. Life has a way of drifting you away from the important things and that’s why you need to understand what your priorities are. From this point, you can now easily set goals for yourself, be it personal or professional.
3. Find your passion and follow it
What gets you up every day? What makes you happy and eager to face the day ahead? Living a life of purpose means following your heart and pursuing your dreams with all of you. It’s doesn’t always come easy, but deep down there’s something that keeps you going, something that keeps you motivated. Grab it and invest your energy in it.
“If you feel like there’s something out there that you’re supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it.” —Wanda Sykes
4. Find balance in your life
Sometimes your purpose isn’t just one thing. You can find meaning in many aspects of your life such as pursuing your career while also putting in the work to maintain good relationships with your friends and family.
You must also learn how to reserve enough time to satisfy your personal needs. Striking the right balance means that you have learned how to live up to your potential in all areas of your life.
5. Make a difference where you can
Living with purpose can sometimes be trying to make a difference in someone’s life. Sometimes doing things for others especially when you’re not expecting anything in return, can really give meaning to your life.
Learn to be kind to others, serve them where you can and be a role model for them. You will feel fulfilled when you get to witness their success knowing you were an integral part of their journey.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
6. Live in the present moment
To be a purposeful person, you have to learn how to cherish every moment you have and seek to live a life free of regret. Live in the moment and enjoy life and its experiences as they come. Appreciate the lessons of the past, look forward to the future but live consciously in the present knowing that every moment you get is a gift.
7. Believe in yourself
You won’t achieve much in life if you don’t believe in yourself. Despite the many challenges that life throws at you, you must always stand firm in yourself and know that you’re capable of weathering any storm. Even when failure comes your way, get up, dust yourself off and keep moving forward.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
Purpose is a beautiful thing but it can also be difficult determining yours. If you need some help in finding meaning in your life, click on "Meet your Coach '' and reach out.
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Your Personal Development & Leadership Coach,
Samantha.