Discover Your Purpose: Easier Than You Think
“Seems lately I am constantly being reminded of how far I am from living the life I want to live.” Said a friend over coffee. “I don’t even know what it is I want, or what I’m passionate about. I still haven’t figured out what I’m supposed to do with my life.”
So often, we externalize “purpose” as if its some magical answer, just outside of ourselves, as if we could only grasp it, our lives would begin. We think as soon as we figure it out, we could get that degree, that job, we could start that business, we could “change the world.” Trouble is, in all of our trying to figure it out, we miss one important truth about Purpose.
Our purpose is not found in what we do from 9 to 5, or our job title, or career status. Our purpose in life is TO BE. As authentically and joyfully as we can, to BE as full of our Selves and our passions as possible.
Our purpose is found in doing the things we love to do- the things that bring us joy. Whether or not we do these things for a “living” is irrelevant. Our purpose is in the LIVING. To connect, to grow, to live, to laugh, to utilize the gifts we have been given in whatever way we can, to touch the lives of our friends and family, to express ourselves, to share our stories, to maximize our experience on this planet.
Sadly, instead of LIVING our purpose, we squander our lives WONDERING what our purpose is. We squander our energy, doing things that drain us, so that there’s nothing left in us, to do the things we love.
We squander our relationships, letting them slip away without honestly speaking our minds, without caring for them like the precious gifts they are. We squander our time, wrapped up in tedium and routine, without making any time for doing the things we love to do.
We squander our lives away, wondering what to do with our lives.
The good news - you don’t have to “figure out” what to do with your life. You only have to live it.
And as you pay attention to the things you love to do, you’ll find them to be the KEYS to living your purpose. Do you love to paint? PAINT! Do you long to dance? DANCE! Does communing with nature bring you joy? TAKE A WALK! Do you wish you had more friends? MAKE FRIENDS! Do you wish your life were different? Create a new life!
Don’t waste any more time waiting for your life to start. Your life is now.
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Lisa Olson is a creative consultant, writer, Life Purpose Coach, facilitator, and co-founder of Spark! a Dallas-based women’s organization. With an extensive background in recruiting and career counseling, she has interviewed hundreds of people and has helped countless others find their “dream jobs.” To subscr’be to her fre’e newsletter for people in transition, send blank e-mail to livinginlimbo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
I think Lisa makes a great point when she writes,
The good news - you don’t have to “figure out” what to do with your life. You only have to live it.
And as you pay attention to the things you love to do, you’ll find them to be the KEYS to living your purpose. Do you love to paint? PAINT! Do you long to dance? DANCE! Does communing with nature bring you joy? TAKE A WALK! Do you wish you had more friends? MAKE FRIENDS! Do you wish your life were different? Create a new life!
Don’t waste any more time waiting for your life to start. Your life is now.
In general I’d agree with Lisa. And as a mindset and a starting point, she’s so right.
However, we find individuals make their way to us who want something a bit more specific, personal and unique. In short a template that shows what is ‘true north’ for them, a kind of development compass - hence our name
What do you think? Is a general mindset and attitude enough, or is this the foundation for more finesse?
I know I’ve found it easier to be clear and focussed since I’ve been clear about my life purpose, and who I am essentially.
