Have you ever been wondering why you cannot find any joy in your present life? Or have you always felt, that you deserved something more?
Well, then you might have a problem to find your true purpose in your life.
You might think that the word purpose has been around a lot lately, more and more people are talking about it, but what that actually means?
The word itself has different meanings. As a verb you can define it as a :have as one’s intention or objective, you could hear it in the form of someone saying it: that person did it to me on the purpose, as opposite to that person did it to me in coincidence.
As a noun you can translate it, as: the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists and. The second translation is the one we are going to be discussing about.
Have you always wanted to live on some cool place, being surrounded by like-minded people from all around the world, while being well respected in your field? But instead of that you are still sitting in your boring job, which you are spending way more time as you should, while the only people from all around the world you meet, are those online?
If you recognise yourself in the statement like this, or any similar to it, then you might still did not find your passion or your purpose. No worries, this post is going to help you with finding your true purpose in life.
The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why,
-Mark Twain-
Finding your true purpose in your life
I will often times use word passion because finding your purpose is directly linked with your passion. People who are not happy with their present professional life, are most likely not doing something what is full filing, that is why they miss the passion and are not having any purpose. Passion and purpose do not have to be necessary connected, but most of the time they are.
Before we go any further, let me point you in right direction. As passion and purpose is not completely the same.
In short, we can say that PASSION is your “what” and PURPOSE is your “why”. Normally your “why” should be stronger like your “what”, as your “what” can always change on your road, while your “why” shouldn’t be yielding. Because if your reasons are strong enough, if you know that you have to do, what you do, even without rationalisation, you will find the right way.
Even if you find yourself struggling for short period by doing something, what you are not happy with, your PURPOSE is going to lead you through those hard times.
I think the picture below( free available online), is describing it perfectly.
The process
There are people searching for purpose all their life. Some of them are successful, some less. I know that is not easy thing to be achieved, but I think it is at least worth of trying it.
Some people are saying that human is searching for his purpose all the life and the journey is the one it has to be enjoyed. Well, I have to agree just a bit. Of course, it has to be enjoyable ride, otherwise your life becomes too soon, like an example from the first paragraph of my post.
But on the other hand, I think it’s always better if you find your PURPOSE earlier and keep enjoying the ride while you know why you do what you do, rather then making mistakes and struggling.
Don’t take me wrong, that I am pushing you to not make any mistakes. Faults or mistakes are allowed, because who moves, makes mistakes as well. What I mean is, that if you have the right tools available to discover the reasons of your motivation, you should be focusing to implement them into your life. The sooner the better, make sense? I hope at least a bit.
Keep reading and maybe you find the answers you would need in order to find your big “why”. In other words, your PURPOSE.
Am I on the right path?
Until you get to the point, that you are going to be sure you found your purpose, it can be a long journey. Time to time you can be misunderstood. Even ridiculed by someone. Or you can experience hesitancy. But trust me, if you know your “why”, you’ll find the way.
You’ll find your passion. You’ll find the way how to make it work, that you’ll be earning out of it, that what people will need it.
Go deep to you and ask yourself: why am I doing this? Find your “why”, all begins there. Then you’ll be halfway there.
Trust me, I have been on the road as well. Made a decision, and then been discouraged by others or by my own thoughts, is it going to work? Will I not just fool myself, or the others who trusted me? Maybe you want to quit your job and start your own business, the loss of the job is one of the biggest fear person can have. So it’s obvious, it can be stressing.
But if you want to find your PURPOSE, you will go through that obstacle as well, and you’ll find the way how to monetize your passion. Probably it will take some time, but look on that that way, if it would be easy, everyone would do it.
Practice.
I can imagine, that while you are reading those lines, you might think, that guy is crazy. I will just find my PURPOSE and all of a sudden I am going to be happy, successful and rich?
It doesn’t happen without your effort, but it is easier as you could think. Let me show you some examples.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was offered 200,000$ per year to become personal fitness trainer in the fitness center with great reputation. It was at the beginning of his time in L.A. Two hundred thousand dollars was back then a lot of money. And I can say it is still big money now, right?
I think majority of people would accept the offer. To getting paid for your PASSION, while living in the Californian paradise! But he refused it. Why? Because, PURPOSE was to become world greatest body builder. He wanted to win Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia. If he would accept the tempting offer he has got, he wouldn’t have enough time to train properly.
That’s the power, your PURPOSE has. But it takes courage to work on projects where success is not guaranteed. Where, you can’t even see the result quickly enough. An extra reason why your PURPOSE must be big.
There is another significant message out of this story. Although, PASSION is less important than PURPOSE. Look back, he could make better than good living with his PASSION, but he did not choose to, because his PURPOSE was somewhere else.
And how it went in the end with his dream? For those, not familiar with his story, Arnold did win the competitions and he become the world greatest body builder.
We all have been created with purpose
You might say I am dreamer, but I really think we have been created with some purpose. Criminals and thieves have as well their purpose. Unfortunately, not a good one, but they do have it. At least they think that’s their purpose.
What you can do in order to find your purpose?
1.Use the picture in the article– cut it and stick it onto your wall, Or printed and put it to your notebook. That you will have it on your eyes every day, and your brain will figure it out what is your “why”and if you put enough effort in it, you will find your “what” or “how”.
2.Listen to your heart- Steve Jobs said, listen to your heart, it knows somehow, who you want to be. And I agree. Be open and listen. Magic things can happen.
3.Work with the idea in your head first- if you think, you found your true PURPOSE, that’s perfect. Let the idea first grow in your head. It can be couple of days, maybe weeks, or even months. Up to the point you see the step-by-step plan, and then you know what to do.
In conclusion, I would like to add one more example. This one is out of my own life. Not that what I achieved till now is comparable with Schwarzenegger story, but I would like to mention it for you to see that is possible.
I decided 2 years!! ago, that I am going to be an entrepreneur. The reasons why I wanted to switch from employment to being own boss are probably for a new blog post, but mainly was it because I was already tired to work for someone else and because I wanted to impact much more people’s lives-MY PURPOSE, than I was back then .
Now I knew my “why”, I could search for “what”. I had to refuse some relatively good options. There was a franchise in form of fitness center. The fixed location was problem for me. As a footballer you want to be location free, or flexible, let’s say. Then there was bar, to be overtaken. I wanted to help people, but I think, alcohol is always the last solution;-) I wanted to bring more impact. Then there was restaurant…still nothing.
Up to the day, where I decided I am going to help people to go beyond their limits. And I started my business.
If I am going to be successful? I think yes, but I don’t know yet. But it does not bother me. Why? Because I have my PURPOSE, helping others, if this will not work out, I’ll find better “what”.
I hope I could inspire you with my blog post. If you would have any question, or would like to share your experience with finding your true purpose in life, please leave them below. I would be more than happy to react.
Best luck!
Hi Julius,
My goodness – Your site is the first I have come too – totally inspired by the intro page and in particular the picture – ..”process of finding your purpose.” and ” all created with a purpose……” but that’s what makes us unique – appreciate this opportunity 🙂
Hi Sandra,
I am really happy you appreciated my blog. I hope, you will embrace the rest of the website content and will follow the news one. It would be my pleasure, to keep providing you some help or advice through your life journey. If you have additional questions, please leave it here.
Best luck!
What a great page this is! You’ve provided great information about life goals and purpose in life. Your personal touch to the post was a great touch. Thanks for all the great information.
Thank you Stacy! I am really happy, you found my personal approach great. I think in life, everything you do, needs to have your personal touch on it. If you’d like to stay informed, please do follow further. There are many new things on the way.
Best luck!
I have to be frank with you, I’m still struggling in mature adult life to find the true purpose of my life. Sometimes I think it is to make people happy true writing. I have published one book but find i thard to go back and do more. Another time I think my purpose in life is to help others. Yes, but how?
I found some answers here but I will appreciate if you can help me with some specific advice.
Thank you for this piece.
Hi Akoli. Thank you for setting your question here. From your comment I have the feeling, that the writing can be really your purpose. As you wrote the helping the others is your purpose as well, it can be perfect combination. People can have two purposes, and I also know writers whose purpose number one is to help others. So I think, if you are writing for others, by bringing quality content, want to help others to solve some problems( writing about relationships, health, education, or simple story demonstrating some deeper message, I don’t know in which direction you are writing) thought) can help you be fulfilling your PURPOSES(writing and helping others). That you don’t know how to go further, is ok. it can be just your momentary matter. And if you think those two things(writing and helping others) is your PURPOSE, you might ideally merge together.
If you will give it a try or not, please be aware that you purpose is just your purpose, that’s way, you’d have to find the right purpose, it is deep in your heart. To name it, can just you. Even if I’d try with my best intention to tell you what it is, you are the one who needs to feel, yeah, this is it. Because you will be the one, fighting with the obstacles, if any on the road. You will LIVE LIFE WITH YOUR PURPOSE.
I hope my advice could help you a bit. If you would like to ask something more, please reply on this comment, or write me email on julius@trywithoutlimits.com, I will be more than happy to help you further.
Best luck!
This is awesome!
I really love the diagram I think finding that star area is something everyone is searching for!
Do you think it’s possible to find something that fits in that area for everyone? Or is it only something that some people will be able to find?
This has really got me thinking and I’m certainly going to reassess my values and purpose.
Thanks so much for sharing
Mike
Hi Mike!
Thank you for your comment. It is very good question, you asked.
I think everyone can consciously search for the purpose and I think that’s way everyone can find it. The ting is, not everyone will needed, to think to fill every of the circle.
The suggestion here is to start with writing a list of things you love, maybe you have 20 things. Choose out of it the things you are good in, you can have just 5 left. Then choose, which one world needs the most. And to cash it out, is just your work. Keep searching and you will find it.
It is definitely not easy task, but I am pretty sure it is rewardable in the end. To be aware of the fact, that you are living the life with your purpose is revealing.
I hope I could help you a bit with my answer. if you have any further questions, please write them here.
Best luck!
Hello Julius,
This is such an important topic that is sometimes actually tempting to avoid. My biggest problem is that what I’m good at and love does not seem needed or profitable, at least not at this time. When you cannot financially support yourself with a passion, it makes you question how long you can continue working on that passion for practical reasons.
I feel that we can have more than one purpose. I am still searching for mine I suppose. However, I think being grateful and having a purpose of simply living and experiencing life for as long as possible can work as a basic purpose as well. Of course, perhaps I’m just trying to avoid the question. 🙂
I like your personal story at the end. Perhaps I just need to separate my why from my what. Thank you!
Ben
Hi Ben!
Thank you for your comment first of all. You opened up here several topics and I think, they are very interesting for everyone. Many people can find themselves in your position. I will start from the end of your comment.
I think you can have more than one purposes. Important is that they are not counterproductive. Ideally, there are working together. (My purpose is helping others and bringing people together via soccer= I am sober Trainer.That can be one example)
You expressed amazingly right idea that having purpose in living being grateful, that is definitely truth and as much people would realise that, as better. So no worry, that can be already one of your purposes.
To help you with your first thought. As mentioned, people are in the similar place like you. What is rewardable in your case is that you already started. That is already big achievement. How far can you go, if it is not bringing big finances yet? It depends.
Is there chance that in near or in any future this will change? That it would be needed by people? Are you the one who can master it, bringing the right value connected with your product or service? If you think yes, then you have to ask yourself if you are able and for how long, support yourself with part time or full time job, while still working on your passion.
I know it is not easy to be in this uncertain situation. But if your “why” is huge enough, and you answered yes on the previous question, it is worth of trying. If you answer no, you might start to search for something else already now. (To save your time and energy).
As a last, i would like to point that you were right by stating, to separate your why from your what. And you mentioned passion as well. Be aware that passion and purpose is not the same. It happened to be very often exchanged. I am working on my b=next blog, where I am going to discuss the need of passion. But in short, you can be passionate for a week or month. But your purpose should be long term. Because your what can change, but the why should be still the same.
I hope I could help you a bit. However, your question and topic included in it, needs deeper work. If you would have other questions, would love to answer them on my email: julius@trywithoutlimits.com
Best Luck!