When you’re in school, it’s easy to know your direction and all of your next steps. You’re working hard to finish projects, pass tests, ace classes, and eventually graduate so you can get a full-time job and start your career.
But what if you graduated from school, got the job, and find yourself feeling like you’re just going through the motions?
You enjoy your job, but you feel like something is missing.
Up until now, you’re life was about reaching one goal: landing a career. Now what?
Based on ‘societal norms,’ you’re successful. You have the degree, the job, making money to have a roof over your head and live on your own like a real adult.
But now you feel like you have no purpose in life.
You hadn’t considered life after and outside of landing the career, and your motivation is slowly slipping away.
You feel like your life is now just wake up, work, eat, gym, sleep repeat. The monotony of this working life is really taking a toll on you, and you don’t quite know how to handle it.
There’s more to life than this, right?
Yes, my friend. I’m happy to tell you that there is more to life than going through the motions to go to work and pay your bills.
Whether you believe we were put on earth for one sole purpose by a higher power, or that we’re here all by pure coincidence, you are the only one responsible for living the best life you can possibly live.
How do you do this?
Figure out what’s important to you. What do you believe you are meant to do?
Many may say that what you are MEANT to do is what your purpose is, but I don’t think that’s the full picture.
Personally, I define your purpose as to how you believe you can make a positive impact in the world around you, while also enjoying it at the same time.
Your purpose can change and evolve as you grow older. You might think you have it all figured out in one moment, but then change your mind later on.
You don’t even have to have one single purpose! Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself to have it all figured out. That one specific thing you were put here on earth to do.
If you’re listening to this episode, you’re probably already stressed, pressured, overwhelmed, and busy as is. Most of us are! Why put even more pressure on yourself to discover the one single thing that you are supposed to do in your life?
Being human means that you can grow, change, evolve, and adapt to the world and people around you. If you can find something that feels good to you, find a way to channel this purpose to make a positive impact on the world around you, even in a small way, I can guarantee you’ll live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
After all, that’s the big question, right? How do I live a life of no regrets? How do I live a purposeful life and become the person I’m meant to be?
Connecting with your purpose is the best first step you can take to finding your answer. Today I’m sharing with you 5 questions that you need to ask yourself in order to discover your purpose, so you can kick-start your life towards one that’s powerful and completely in tune with what makes YOU feel good.
Download the workbook I’ve created to help guide you through this process with the form below, or grab a pen and paper, your phone, your laptop, iPad, anything you like to take notes with and write these questions down.
The difference between people who create change in their life and ones who stay stuck are those who don’t just stay in the research phase. They actually take the time to apply what they’ve learned.
It’s easy to get caught up reading inspiring books, finding quotes on Pinterest, or listening to amazing podcasts like this one (hehe) but if you want to finally change your life this year, actually write these questions down and take time to answer them this week. Put the time in on your calendar, and make it happen.
Okay, enough of the lectures. Here are the five important questions that you MUST ask yourself to help you find your purpose in life:
Question 1: What do you like to do?
Starting off with an easy question. What do you like to do that fills you with joy? When are you the happiest version of yourself? Your purpose is something that feels natural and good. It’s something that’s authentically and uniquely YOU.
Start thinking about some hobbies or activities that you enjoy doing in your free time. Whatever makes you happy, write it down! Is there something at work you like doing? Any classes in school you enjoyed going to, or projects you’ve worked on that you found fun?
This isn’t to say that you don’t ever have moments where you don’t enjoy following your purpose (after all, pursuing goals and big dreams can be a challenging journey), but it definitely should be something that you do like to do more often than not!
Question 2: What comes easily to you?
Somewhat similar to the previous question, what are some things that you find come easily to do? Has anyone ever gone out of the way to say, “You’re a natural!” at something?
For example, writing has always been something that came easily to me. Sure, there are days where I’m creatively more frustrated, have not the best grammar, or simply don’t feel like doing it – but it’s still something that overall comes naturally to me. I’ve coincidentally also enjoyed writing for most of my life (especially creatively or blogging), but even writing things that aren’t as fun such as more professional articles or press releases at work at the end of the day isn’t super challenging.
Now, put me in a situation that involves numbers and accounting? Goodbye. I’ll get so wrapped up in my head and worried about getting something wrong (because I often do) that I just get stressed and anxious. Not something that comes easy to me, therefore I don’t see accounting as my purpose!
So what are some things that come easily to you? Think about your daily tasks at work, classes you’ve had in school, projects or hobbies you’ve participated in, anything! And if you feel like nothing comes naturally for you, that’s completely okay. This is not the most important question to help you find your purpose.
Question 3: What is important to you?
What do you value in life, or what are your personal values? Some examples of values can include your family, friends, health, honesty, volunteering, connection, music, religion…almost anything!
Understanding what’s important to you helps you connect your personal values to your purpose. This gives your purpose a deep, meaningful connection that helps you feel aligned and most authentic to what matters most for you in your life.
This is an extremely important part of the process. If you’re participating in a job, side hustle, or hobby that you simply like to do, but it doesn’t align with your own personal values, how is this going to feel authentic for you?
I went to school for marketing and have had a few different marketing jobs throughout my career. I really enjoy marketing, especially the creativity and strategy that go alongside social media. When I landed a social media internship right after college, I was stoked! However, I learned on day one that this company (or at least the CEO) that I worked for did NOT align with my values. Fat-shaming employees, going behind employee’s backs to make decisions without discussing with your team first without notice, never finding fault in what you do as a leader…absolutely nothing about it made me feel good.
Learn more about my experience here
This is a prime example of working on something that you enjoy, but not overall doing something that aligns with your values and what’s important to you. Have you ever experienced something like this? It makes a HUGE difference!
If you’re struggling to think of some values, simply do a quick search on Google to brainstorm some ideas. You don’t have to think of a super long list, even just three to five can be effective for helping you discover your purpose.
Question 4: How do you like expressing your values?
In what ways do you like to participate in what’s important to you? What parts of your life do you make a priority?
If family or friends are something you value, then spending time with them or expressing gratitude towards your relationships would be a way you participate in this value.
If giving back to your community is something important to you, then volunteering would be a way you express it and make it a priority in your life.
This might be a bit more challenging to think about, but there’s a big impact behind this question. What you do on a regular basis to spend time expressing your values could be a missing link to discovering your purpose.
Question 5: Why are you doing this?
Why do you want to find your purpose? Why is this whole process so important to you? Knowing and understanding your “why” will help you stay motivated throughout this entire process. After you connect with your purpose, you can integrate this purpose into your overall “why,” which will propel you forward when pursuing your biggest goals.
Learn more about how to stay motivated during long-term goals
Maybe you’re going on this self-discovery journey because you no longer feel like you have a direction. You’re stuck in a rut and feel totally lost and discouraged about life. Or maybe you’re simply tired of listening to everyone else, comparing yourself to those around you and want to finally figure out what makes YOU happy.
Whatever your reason, your “why” is uniquely yours. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. Hold it close to your heart throughout your journey, and let it guide you through the toughest moments. You’re powerful, and your why will help you step into your power to help you accomplish your biggest dreams.
Once you’ve answered these five questions, take the time to find activities that combine everything you listed above. Remember, this doesn’t have to be a career. For example, say you really love playing with your dog, value giving back, and love connecting with other people. You could sign up to volunteer at a local shelter on weekends, or help put together adoption events in your local community!
There are endless opportunities out there, and no one right way to pursue your purpose.
Lastly, don’t pressure yourself to have it all figured out right now. This process takes time. The last thing you want to do is rush the process to simply “get it over with” because you’re anxious to move on to the next step.
You will make it. Do the work, explore yourself, and I have no doubt that you’ll be on your way towards creating a life filled with excitement, alignment, and purpose.
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