5 Ways to Find Purpose
You’re fortunate if purpose interests you. You have opportunity to consider things beyond food and shelter.
The burden of prosperity is figuring out what to do with your life.
5 ways to find purpose:
#1. Purpose and needs:
Finding purpose includes meeting needs, but there are so many needs in the world that it’s paralyzing.
The person without purpose is lost in a world of opportunity.
- What needs do you enjoy meeting?
- What problems do you enjoy solving?
#2. Purpose and story:
Your story reveals your purpose.
You find purpose in connection, not isolation.
- When you reflect on the formative experiences in your life, what comes to mind?
- Who changed the course of your life? How?
- What people do you admire? How do you aspire to be like them?
Distill the scenes of your story into single words.
Reflect on your story as if you were an observer, not a participant. What advice would you give the person in your story?
#3. Purpose and joy:
Joseph Campbell said, “Follow your bliss.”
Think of bliss as more than the pursuit of happy feelings. A good meal with great friends produces happy feelings. Riding a roller coaster makes you laugh and smile.
Think of joy as deep happiness. What makes you deeply happy?
#4. Purpose and distress:
Finding purpose includes feeling troubled about things.
You can feel troubled and be fulfilled, fighting for a cause that matters to you, for example.
- What problems consistently trouble you most?
- What needs do you feel compelled to meet?
#5. Purpose and contribution:
It’s fulfilling to contribute.
- How do you love contributing?
- What do people say when they talk about your greatest contribution?
Tip:
People can lose themselves in doing. Purpose is about being before it’s about doing.
How do you love showing up?
What suggestions do you have to help someone find purpose?
Still curious:
Purpose Simplified – Who Do You Want to be When You Grow Old
Nice, concise suggestions, Dan. Well said.
Thank you, cial05.
Great timing on this message.” I know the plans I have for you, ” declares the Lord. ” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give hope and a future.: Jeremiah 29:11
Our office recently had a speaker/author named Zach Mercurio. In his book, “The Invisible Leader”, he refers to the power of purpose. In fact, helping people tap into their purpose is the invisible leader. Very powerful and highly recommended. Among his many great insights is a quote by Mary Parker Follett, “Leaders and followers are both following the invisible leader- the common purpose.”
Thanks cowsaretheanswer. The idea of following an invisible leader is compelling. Purpose is something you follow, perhaps even pursue.
Thanks Mark. Love the forward-facing nature of the verse you shared.
I think it is important to note that purpose can change with time and experience. Reminding ourselves of our purpose and checking to see if our purpose and actions are aligned is a great activity to to with our teams. I believe we need constant reminders of our why. Thank you for the great prompting questions.
Thanks sisepudeabc. As you learn who you are it impacts purpose because purpose and identity are connected.
This recalls a lot of what I’ve read by Simon Sinek, the “Find Your Why” system.
Thanks Mitch. Simon has done a lot of work in this area. His book is worth the read. Bill George is another. His book Find your True North is another worthy read. David Shapiro and Richard Leider are linked in the above article. Their book is Who do You Want to be When you Grow Old.
I also included a link in the above article to Tom Rath’s book, Life’s Great Question.
I think Simon’s statement, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” is one of the best encouragements to focus on purpose.
Purpose is also a burden you want to help uplift
Thank you for this Great points on purpose, it’s very helping and important one to find their purpose and walk with it so to be fulfilled at the end…..
Thank you for the good word, Nze.
How do you add value? How do you want to add value?
That’s your purpose.
Thanks Paul. Simple and something that enables focus. It’s still an iterative processes. You add value. Reflect. Adapt. Start again. Repeat.
Then I am fortunate