What’s your life purpose?

What’s your purpose?

I was asked this a little while ago and it has been drifting around in my mind over the last few weeks.

I thought I knew the answer to this.

Bizarrely I began to discover it in the depths of depression. At a time when I felt completely without worth or value, unlovable and isolated, a seed was planted that ultimately led to quitting my 26 year career and starting my own business. I should add however, that finding your purpose doesn’t always mean or need to make such drastic changes!

It was hard to hold on to this purpose when depression hit hard but it stayed around, quietly growing and every now and then giving me a nudge to say ‘Hey, don’t forget about me, I’m still here and I’m ready to chip in and help’.

Sometimes we confuse purpose with perfection.

How can I have a purpose to fulfil when I’m so imperfect?

Well, often it’s these imperfections that inspire others; the imperfections become inextricably linked to our purpose.

We all have meaning and purpose to our lives yet we often lose sight of it when we allow our inner-critic to have free rein in our mind. When we search for purpose and meaning we can easily be misled by a belief that our purpose is only valid if it’s something grand and world-changing.

I think of it as something that is required of me, in my little corner of the world yet each time I step forward to continue fulfilling my purpose, there’s a ripple effect that carries it into the lives of others.

Will I change the world? I don’t know. I don’t need to know.

I trust that I will continue to fulfil my purpose by having a positive impact on the lives of others through my business and how I live my life.

I’m no different to anyone else in having a purpose.

You have a life purpose too

You have incredible talents and abilities to share with the world that no-one else can. You are unique and valuable.

Why is it then, that we find it so hard to see ourselves in this way?

Often, we don’t understand the gifts and talents that we have, or we undervalue them or perhaps we don’t invest in learning more about them and developing them further. There can be many reasons for this; in my experience, the most common one is the interference of our inner-critic. Yet the actual process of finding and living our purpose is a key component in developing our inner-cheerleader.

How do I find my purpose?

First of all, relax! This isn’t something to force; finding your purpose can take time. When you think you’ve found it, don’t carve it in stone — it may change and adapt to what is happening in your life.

I began by thinking of what I’m most passionate about, what I enjoy doing, what comes naturally to me?

I also looked at other people who inspired me and thought about why. What were their qualities and why did they connect with me?

You may wish to ask others what they consider to be your natural talents and skills. Most of all, be kind to yourself throughout this. It takes time. You may well need to allow yourself to ponder it for some time, almost try it on for size and have a walk around in it — does it fit? How comfortable are you with it?

Even when you think you’ve completely nailed your purpose, keep checking in with it. As you grow, as you learn, as you develop, so will your purpose.

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