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Life on Purpose
Everyday we make hundreds of choices. From the minute we wake up and choose to get out of bed in the morning to the minute we choose to go to bed at night, our lives are filled with a multitude of choices. Most of the time we aren't even aware that we're making these choices.
But what if the choices you make and the actions you take were guided by a compelling purpose or desire? Would your life look different than it does today? Would you perhaps make different choices?
When we have a compelling purpose our actions have meaning and focus. We become clear about what we want and don't want in our lives because our choices resonate with the essence of who we are. When we have a compelling purpose or vision our choices come from the fiber of our being.
Can you imagine living life with clarity and passion? Would the actions you take on a daily basis be different than the ones you are currently taking? Would you put off doing what you love?
So, how do you get in touch with your passion and purpose?
- Begin where you are right now and look for the clues that already exist in your life. Pretend you're a detective conducting an investigation.
- What's really important to you?
- What are you passionate about right now?
- When was the last time you felt lit up and alive after an activity or experience?
- What was the activity and what contributed to your sense of joy?
- What makes you happy to think about achieving?
- What are your unique talents, gifts and strengths?
- What activities would you be doing right now if there were no obstacles in front of you?
- What are you most proud of accomplishing in your life?
Answering these questions can give you clues you can then use to articulate your purpose. As you answer these questions, look for common threads. Become aware of any words or phrases that show up consistently.
- Once you have this information try filling in this sentence: "My life's purpose is _____________."
Write down what comes into your mind without censoring what comes up or making yourself wrong. Some examples to get you thinking are: to live life as an adventure, to joyously self-express, to make a difference, to play and have fun, to inspire. Remember to fill in the above sentence with what YOU are passionate about. Your purpose is anything that touches your heart and makes a difference to YOU.
- The next step in designing a purpose statement is to take the purpose you've articulated and ask yourself: "In what way might I __________?"
In what way might I inspire? In what way might I joyously self-express? In what way might I make a difference? Answering this question will give you ideas for specific actions you can take in your life. You will have an inner guide for effective choices at work, at home, in your relationships and how you choose to use your time. By connecting to a compelling purpose or vision, your behavior, the actions you take and the choices you make will be grounded in what has meaning for you.
Be patient and gentle with yourself as you do this exploration. Answering these questions and doing this process will take as long as it takes. And, however long it takes, is exactly how long it needs to take for you.
Finding your purpose is also a gift to others. Purpose is about giving what we came here to give. And when we give it, we free others to give as well.
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