This blog has previously covered the fact that finding your “why” is one of the most effective ways to achieve your goals. People who succeed in life often do so because they have a clear sense of purpose. Thus, in situations when others might abandon their goals, they remain resilient and motivated.
However, knowing that a sense of purpose will help you succeed isn’t the same as knowing what your purpose is. It can be difficult to continue pursuing success when you don’t know why you should.
A single blog entry probably can’t provide you with a sense of purpose or mission. However, it can help you get started. To find a sense of purpose in life, apply these tips.
Finding Your Purpose in Life: Essential Tips
Remember Who You Wanted to Be
This can be a somewhat painful or disappointing process, but it will also be very helpful if you’re trying to find what motivates you.
Ask yourself what the child version of yourself would think of the person you turned out to be. There may be some aspects they would actually like. For instance, perhaps they’d be happy about the industry you’re working in, or the friends you have.
That said, there’s also a good chance there are some things they wouldn’t be too thrilled with. Honestly identifying what those are can help you identify your core values. This, in turn, makes finding your sense of purpose much easier.
Think of Times You Forgot Where You Were
Although these instances don’t necessarily strike everyone very often, when they do, they can make an impact (if you allow them to).
Odds are good there have been times in your life (even if they only lasted a few hours) when you were engaged in activities that made you nearly forget where you were. When was the last time you were so engaged with what you were doing that you forgot about life’s stresses?
Make a list of as many of these experiences as you can think of. They hold clues that can tell you what you most want to do with your life.
Think of Times a Sacrifice Seemed Easy
Sometimes we need to make sacrifices in pursuit of our goals. College students sacrifice time and money to pursue their future careers. Pro athletes sacrifice some comfort to improve their skills. Some people sacrifice socializing to stay healthy.
You need to think of times you made these types of sacrifices. More importantly, you need to think of times when making these sacrifices felt entirely easy and reasonable. A sacrifice that felt difficult won’t tell you much about your passions. On the other hand, if you had no problem making a particular sacrifice, there’s probably a good reason why. Ask yourself what that experience says about your purpose and goals in life.
Again, just remember that finding your purpose in life takes time. These tips will help, but you do need to practice them consistently to clarify your values and find your true why.
