Finding your life’s purpose can be a BIG question, and to be fair, it is one that may take a lifetime to discover. In the meantime, you can still live a life on purpose. Stay with me here…
From time to time we may wonder what our purpose in life is… why do we exist, why are we here – but, while we are figuring that out, with a little thought and attention, we can actively live our life with intention and purpose. We can be our best selves and live a life we love.
Can you remember a time when you were doing something and ‘all of a sudden’ hours had passed by? When the task was so enjoyable and interesting to you, that it had you so grounded in the moment that you were happy to give it your undivided attention and in fact you felt energised rather than exhausted at the end of the time.
What were you doing? What was it about that task that grabbed your full interest?
We call this ‘being in flow’. When there is an alignment in your inspiration and motivation you know where you are going and why; you are driven to continue and your energy flows naturally because you are acting in a way that is in synch with your strengths, values and beliefs.
Photo courtesy of Thanh Mai Nguyen – Unsplash
When we find our purpose, we find our flow. Tasks don’t feel like such a chore – it feels like we are living/working with intent, so we are energised by the activity.
We can act purposefully to achieve that which we aspire.
Often this “thing” can be found at the intersection of our answers to the following questions:
What am I good at?
What do I love?
What does the world need?
(The ‘world’ is a big playing field. Here, you may like to consider the different groups of people in ‘your world’, eg communities where you live and play, industries where you work…)
There is one more intersection that is important to consider. That is the intersection between your purpose in life and finding purpose in the work you do.
Imagine being paid for doing something you love!?!
Consider your answers to the three questions above and ask yourself a fourth question:
4. What (in this context) is something I can be paid for?
Getting clarity on what drives and motivates you helps you to seek out work that is more meaningful for you. While every job has elements that are less exciting, actively seeking out work that contains a greater percentage of tasks that align with your purpose will see you feeling more energised in the work that you do.
Whether at work or with those you love, be sure to spend a little time everyday doing something that you love and that brings you joy. As you top your cup up, you bring energy and inspiration for those around you… every day you have opportunity to live with purpose. Whatever you do, choose to live your life by design.
I’ll be posting every weekday in August. Follow me to benefit from my Adapt in August series and build your capability for adapting to change.
Keep well,
Vicki
My business is helping you with yours…
If you would like further information or to arrange some support in building this skill please don’t hesitate to contact me. I look forward to helping you build your success your way.
Yours in success,
Vicki
