“The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose.” – Rick Warren
Finding your purpose can seem daunting, and so many of us twist ourselves into knots trying to work out what our elusive, mystical purpose might be.
Sound familiar?
I don’t have many memories of high school – I think I’ve blocked many of those awkward, uncomfortable years out – however I do recall the day that I sat in an exasperated guidance counsellor’s office.
Every student had to front up to one of these appointments in our senior year, and most came out of their sessions excited, having determined what they wanted to do when they left school, as well as the pathway they would follow to get there.
Except me.
The guidance counsellor read through an entire list of careers, and I can still remember the frustration in her voice when she got to the bottom of the list and I had said “nope” to every single one.
“So what DO you want to do?” she snapped.
I shrugged my shoulders and that was that. When I left her office, I was none the wiser and she was extremely unimpressed that I couldn’t be ticked off her to-do list.
Ironically though, had someone ever talked to me about finding my purpose back then, things might have been different. I give an example in my video about how I had strongly resonated with the words of a TV show – To Serve them All my Days – in my teens. While not knowing what a core value was, I had identified one of mine – service to others – and had that counsellor dug a bit deeper, talking about values and purpose rather than jobs and careers – our conversation could have been far more fruitful.
Why is it Important to Find Your Purpose?
Living your life On-Purpose is something that I speak and write about often, as I truly believe it is the key to living a fulfilled life.
Finding Your Purpose gives you a “why” to hang on to when life around you is pretty crappy.
Finding Your Purpose helps you find meaning in the good and the not so good experiences.
Finding Your Purpose helps you find significance and fulfilment in even the most menial of tasks.
Discovering your purpose however, seems to be something that we have turned into a mystical, “woo-woo” exercise, preferably undertaken at an obscure retreat in some exotic location with the stars in perfect alignment.
I don’t know about you, but as much as I would love to travel once more and have some time out from the busyness of ordinary life – I don’t have time to go and gaze at my navel for a few months in order to discover my purpose!
And thankfully, I don’t need to as discovering your purpose can be far easier than you realise!
Listen in to my short video where I give you 3 easy tips to help you discover your purpose today. Sure there is room for far deeper soul digging, prayer and meditation – those things are a given and should be part of your regular routine to ensure that you are staying aligned with your core values and purpose. However, if you are looking for 3 easy, practical ways to help you discover your purpose today – tune in and let me know what which ones resonate for you!
Click to watch on YouTube
Here’s to Rocking Midlife!
PS: Don’t forget to grab my FREE gift, the Dare to Dream Workbook HERE.
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Thank you for sharing your three tips! Values, skills, and a platform/vessel to share are three points we can identify. I love how you say at mid-life, we know our weaknesses and strengths, which is very accurate. We know what sits at the back of our minds; nagging, nudging is to act upon. Your three tips offer a way to get moving “on purpose!”
Hi Cat,
I loved hearing about the values and where to use your talents. I have said to my mom, it really is hard to know what to do in life just getting out of high school, unless it is something in the family. Seems later in life you discover more in life about your passions, what you love and what you feel most good about doing. I have always loved dogs and feel that at this time, one of my passions is wanted to work with them, ie volunteering etc. Enjoyed the video!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Hi Jess, thanks for commenting, and you are right about the ability to be clearer about our values and passions when we get older. Would love to hear if you end up doing something with dogs – I often toy with the idea about cats which I love!
This really resonates with me Cat!! I read a wonderful book called Being Mortal where he talks about how having a purpose especially for older people can make such a difference!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com