FINDING YOUR PERSONAL PURPOSE
Guide Description
Have you ever asked yourself "What is the purpose of my life?" Did you find answers?
The question of personal purpose is one that has consumed human thought for centuries. Finding and pursuing your passion can be a daunting task that requires courage, commitment and a great deal of patience. It means stepping out of your comfort zone, challenging societal norms and taking risks.
This guide helps us explore our core values, passions, unique attributes and how we can positively contribute to the world around us.
Learning Objective:
By the end of this guide you will have not only a clearer understanding of how to find your personal purpose but also the tools and strategies needed to integrate this purpose into your everyday lives by exploring;
What comes naturally to you (Aptitude),
Learn how to master it (Practice) and
Pursue our dream (Set Goals) .
Key topics will include:
Know Thyself - The Importance of Self-Awareness
The 4 Elements of Purpose
Uncovering Your Passion
Adopting A Personal Mission Statement
Mind+Body Connection
Great minds have purposes, others have wishes.” – Washington Irving
Reflective Prompts: Here are a few questions to reflect on before we get started - allow yourself the space and freedom to think through them:
What brings you joy and fulfillment?
Have you tried exploring your unique talents, strengths, and passions? What was the outcome?
What is the underlying motivation that fuels your actions and decisions in life?
Do you wish to contribute to something greater than yourself and leave a positive mark on society?
Are you living true to your values and beliefs?
How can you ensure that your actions are consistent with your stated values?
Defining Personal Purpose
Personal Purpose is the “why” behind your actions, goals, and values— a sense of meaning that gives direction to your life.
It involves understanding yourself better and aligning your actions with your values and passions.
Its not about how much money you make, but how much value you add. To yourself, your family or community.
Societal Perspectives - A Driving Force
The question of whether we were created for a purpose has fascinated thinkers, theologians, and philosophers for centuries. Humans seek meaning in life. For some, it is unacceptable that there is no point or higher purpose to our existence.
Scientifically, it is believed that humans—as well as other living things—exist because of a long process of evolution, where traits that helped survival thrived. In this view, purpose isn't built-in but developed over time, from our need to survive and connect with others. That with necessity being the mother of invention—it comes from our experiences, motivations and relationships, not something that’s predetermined or predestined.
On the other hand, religious and spiritual individuals usually claim that humans were created for a specific purpose, often set by a divine being or principle. That life is not random but rather imbued with a larger cosmic significance. This view tends to narrow existence to worship, which can lead to carelessness towards fellow humans, as there is a sense of satisfaction that life purpose is being met.
Social Impact
People pursuing their passion has led to many positive changes in our societies. Think of most modern conveniences we enjoy today and the minds that created them, or those who champion environmental stewardship, social justice, equality, etc, and the passion behind the individuals that fight for it. They are often driven by a sense of purpose to make a difference.
We may not have been put on this earth for a specific purpose, or have a predestined path laid out for us, but we can introspect and find that which speaks most to us and harness it to make a difference. However small.
Know Thyself - The Importance of Self-Awareness
It would be difficult to talk about purpose and passion, without a good knowledge of oneself.
Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand one's own thoughts, feelings and actions and how they effect others. It serves as the cornerstone of personal growth.
It involves a critical examination of your internal processes, including beliefs, motivations, strengths, weaknesses, emotions and behaviors. It allows us to gain insight into how we perceive ourselves and how we are perceived by others.
A self-aware individual is able to live true to their values rather than conforming to external influences.
Click here for more information on cultivating Self-Awareness.
The 4 Elements of Purpose: Talent, Passion, Work Ethic, Need
The fact is there doesn’t always have to be a grand scheme to our lives, it may be as simple as doing the very best of whatever it we're good at, without any extras.
For some though, there may be a restlessness for something more. Often a sense of dissatisfaction with life, when we feel we can’t identify or accomplish that which we desire.
Whether you know what you want or still in the process of discovery, there are certain rules that guide our ability to live our dreams
They can be broken down into 4 elements: Talent, Passion, Work Ethic and Need.
Talent is a reflection of one's innate abilities, honed through dedication, perseverance, and tireless practice. It is an intangible quality that helps us surpass our limits and do amazing things. It is not limited to art or music; it applies to all aspects of life, from academics to sports to entrepreneurship and more.
Talent is what makes you different. Whether it’s a great performance, a new invention, or an extraordinary achievement in any field. It is the essence of human potential, waiting to be nurtured and unleashed into the world.
Passion is a strong feeling of enthusiasm or deep interest in something that excites or drives you. It’s the emotional fuel that makes you want to engage, create, learn, or pursue something — often with energy, persistence, and joy. When you engage in an activity you’re passionate about, life becomes more than just a series of tasks; it becomes determination and elevates interest to talent.
It is passion that keeps us returning to something, even when others do not seem to appreciate what we see or why we love it. It may be the most mundane of activities or the hardest of them, with passion it becomes a work of art, a spectacle that can leave others in awe and wondering how they failed to see the beauty that you so plainly show.
However talented or gifted one maybe, if you lack passion for what you do, it just becomes another tedious task you would like to avoid.
Work Ethic encompasses a solid set of values, discipline, and dedication towards one's duties and responsibilities.
A person with exceptional work ethic is self-motivated, reliable and possesses a strong sense of integrity. It entails a commitment to producing high-quality work, meeting deadlines, and continuously improving skills. It is the willingness to go above and beyond expectations, taking initiative, and being accountable for one's actions.
You may have the talent, you may have the passion, you may have even identified your purpose! But when you lack the drive to pursue it, we could give ourselves a million reasons why we missed a deadline or didn’t show up, or why the task is poorly done. Good work ethic keeps us on track and helps us achieve our goals, however long that may take.
Need while passion and work ethic are essential elements of our personal purpose, the last piece is need. This determines where—in the grand scheme of things—our passion fits in.
It is identifying where and how it is most useful. After all a passion for making the most decadent of desserts would fall flat if targeted at diabetics. Identifying need is the least emotional of the 4 elements, it requires research, social, psychological and economic analysis to make sound decisions.
Even when you are engaged in charitable pursuits, the type of service provided has to meet the desire of your target audience, otherwise all efforts would go unappreciated or even scorned.
Uncovering Your Passion
Discovering your personal purpose involves a journey of self-reflection and introspection. It requires asking profound questions that take time and honesty to answer. Below are a few to guide your thoughts:
What brings me joy and fulfillment?
Understanding the activities, interests, or causes that ignite a sense of purpose and enthusiasm is crucial. Identifying those areas allows individuals to integrate their passions into their daily lives and create a sense of purpose.
As you go about your day, begin to take note of the things that draws your attention the most, if you are bored with your day to day job, what would you rather be doing?
What are my core values and beliefs?
Personal purpose is usually closely intertwined with your core values and beliefs. It involves aligning your actions and decisions with these fundamental principles. When living in alignment with deeply-held values, individuals feel a profound sense of purpose and authenticity.
Deeply held values powers what come natural to you, it is what you would find yourself talking about or seeking out the most. Do you know what it is? Take some time to think about it.
How can I make a positive impact on the world?
Personal purpose often involves contributing to something larger than oneself. It may manifest as making a difference in the lives of others, serving a specific cause, or using your skills and talents to create positive change.
By embracing the power of influence, you can shape the world around you in a meaningful way. Begin to look for opportunities that speak to and look for ways you can contribute.
How can I create a purpose-driven life?
Personal purpose requires intentional action and conscious decision-making. It involves setting meaningful goals, pursuing personal growth and continually seeking opportunities to live out your purpose in all areas of life – be it personal relationships, career, or community engagement.
A mindfulness journey is great tool we can use to quiet the chaos and approach life more intentionally.
It is worth noting that personal purpose is not a fixed destination but an evolving journey. It can change and adapt as you grow and gain new experiences. It requires regular self-reflection and openness to exploring new possibilities, allowing you to refine and redefine your purpose as you navigate through life.
Adopting A Personal Mission Statement
According to Tom Gerencer (a career expert at Zety.com), A personal mission statement isn’t just a good idea—it’s the most powerful tool for finding yourself. This exercise https://zety.com/blog/personal-mission-statement breaks down how to write your mission statement.
It shows you what to say no to. Saves you time and energy for what matters most, and aligns your actions with your goals. Plus, it isn’t hard to write. It comes down to asking yourself a few questions. And we’ll show you exactly what.
So, how do you write a personal mission statement? This is where you dream big. Paint a picture powerful enough to get you out of bed each morning with energy and enthusiasm.
1. Identify the value you want to create:
What value do you want to bring into the world? What’s important to you? Pick a dream big enough to power your inner fusion reactor for life.
2. Choose who you want to create it for:
Who will you help? Everyone? Children? Women? People who’ve lost hope? Pick recipients of your talents to sharpen your focus.
3. Point out core skills you’ll use to create it:
What’s your superpower? Mine is explaining complex things clearly. Yours might be teaching, compassion, creating, or design.
4. Add what you want for yourself:
Don’t skimp on your needs. Some of the best personal mission statements are self-focused. Richard Branson just wants to learn and have fun.
5. Cut the specifics. Save details for your goals list:
Want to run a restaurant? Go to the moon? Make $10 million? Save specifics like that for your personal career goals.
But how do I do it?
Still not sure how to write a personal or career mission statement? Use the personal mission statement template below.
At the end your personal mission statement will look like this:
To use [XYZ SKILLS] to [HAVE XYZ POSITIVE OUTCOME] for [XYZ GROUP OF PEOPLE] with [XYZ DETAILS].
Reflective Prompts
What legacy do you want to leave behind?
How can you ensure that your actions and choices align with the legacy you wish to create?
What challenges or obstacles have you overcome in the past?
How can you leverage those experiences to grow and pursue your personal purpose?’
Are there any limiting beliefs or fears holding you back from embracing your passion?
How can you overcome them and nurture a mindset of possibility and growth?
Mind + Body Connection
There is nothing more fulfilling than waking up everyday to engage in something you truly love doing.
Living a purpose-filled life is the key to finding satisfaction and true happiness. When we have a clear sense of purpose, it gives us direction and every action we take becomes meaningful and significant.
A purpose-filled life allows us to tap into our unique strengths and talents. It brings a sense of fulfillment, knowing that our existence is not just about surviving, but thriving and making a difference.
Work can be a great source of meaning, which may explain why retiring early is associated with reduced longevity and a higher risk of dementia.
This also shows why we need a sense of purpose that transcends work, so we don't decompensate when our jobs shift, when we take leave, or when we retire.
A sense of meaning in one’s work also benefits organizations as employees with a strong sense of purpose work harder and stay longer.
Sarah Greenberg of Institute of Character examines the health benefits of a purpose driven life in her article The Importance of Living a Purpose-Driven Life. In it she states that Individuals with a strong sense of purpose tend to live longer, have healthier hearts, and are more psychologically resilient.
https://www.viacharacter.org/topics/articles/the-importance-of-living-a-purpose-driven-life
A Path to Fulfillment
Here are a few strategies we can adopt to help us overcome any barriers we might face on our path to fulfillment.
Conduct a self-assessment or seek feedback from friends and colleagues to identify your strengths. Understanding what you are good at can help you align your purpose with your abilities.
1. Explore Opportunities: Look for opportunities that align with your values, passions, and strengths. This could include volunteering, taking classes, or engaging in community projects. Exploring different paths can provide additional insights into what feels meaningful to you.
2. Seek Inspiration: Read books, attend talks, and engage with mentors who embody a strong sense of purpose. Learning from others can provide motivation and may reveal potential avenues you hadn’t previously considered.
3. Take Action: Once you’ve gained clarity on your purpose, start taking small steps towards it. Take risks and step out of your comfort zone. Action can lead to new experiences, connections, and further insights into your purpose.
4. Evaluate and Adjust: Periodically review your journey to ensure you are still aligned with your purpose. Reflect on your goals and adjust them as necessary. Life is dynamic and staying attuned to these changes can help avoid stagnation.
Conclusion and Commitment
It is worth noting that personal purpose is not a fixed destination but an evolving journey. It can change and adapt as you grow and gain new experiences.
It requires regular self-reflection and openness to exploring new possibilities, allowing you to refine and redefine your purpose as you navigate through life.
Finding your personal purpose is not an overnight process, recognize and celebrate small victories, remember to be patient with yourself, and stay committed to exploring what truly matters to you.
Reference
https://www.mindtools.com/axcp8p5/personal-mission-statements
https://www.viacharacter.org/topics/articles/the-importance-of-living-a-purpose-driven-life
Further Reading
Victor Strecher, (2016): Life on Purpose: How Living for What Matters Most Changes Everything
Kevin John Delaney (2020): A Life Worth Living: Finding Your Purpose and Daring to Live the Life You've Imagined
