Finding your purpose in life is not something you can accomplish overnight. Some may take days, others may take months, or even years.
The circumstances surrounding how each person will find his or her purpose will differ. One person might find his purpose in life while working at a regular 9-to-5 job. Another person might find it through a near-death experience. Someone might find it while volunteering at a shelter.
But know that finding your life purpose is not done by accident. You must be willing and ready for it. You need to be involved mentally and emotionally—sometimes even through physical actions—in discovering it. It does not fall right onto your lap.
What is purpose?
Purpose is defined as “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists”. It is also defined as “have as one’s intention or objective” (source: Oxford Languages).
In more practical terms, a purpose is why you do what you do. It is the reason for your existence. But most often, many of us don’t know why we exist—what we’re here on earth for—so we strike wherever and whenever, without direction or focus, hoping that somehow, what we do or where we go will help us understand that empty feeling inside.
Well, my friend, that void you feel can only be filled with purpose!
Steps to finding your purpose in life
So, how do you find your purpose in life so you can feel whole?
Rewire your mindset from negative to positive.
It will take time, and, once you’ve reached that level of mindset, you may not always be “in that zone”. You might forget sometimes, but that’s fine, nobody is perfect. Keep practicing and learning from your mistakes. Become a purpose-driven human being who can make an impact in the lives of others.
Associate with positive people.
Be with people who appreciate you, people who constructively criticize you, people who challenge you to become better, and people who can coach you or mentor you. Associating with positive people can help you find your purpose in life. Associate yourself with negative people and you will not find the answer you seek.
Dwelling in positivity helps you see things from a different perspective. You have a guarantee that you’ll find your purpose in life. The opposite is true when you dwell in negativity—you tend to look at everything as problems instead of opportunities.
Take positive actions.
Examples of positive actions are volunteering in your community, taking a fitness challenge, joining a cause, starting a business, and getting a job at a company you’ve always wanted to work with, among many others.
When you take positive actions, you will begin to realize that some activities or ideas may or may not work in your favor. You will begin to learn what it is you really love doing and would willingly commit to for the rest of your life!
So, if you’re serious about finding your purpose in life, follow these three simple steps. Remember, finding your purpose is not supposed to be a rush job. Take it easy but take it seriously. You’ll get to it at the right time, at the right place, and at the right circumstances.
