Feeling Stuck in the Life You Don’t Want?
Do you ever feel stuck? Perhaps you don’t have the job you want, the relationship you desire, or the financial stability you need. You probably know what you don’t want, but have you ever taken the time to figure out what you do want?
Instead of answering with generalities like a job that “pays more” or “is closer to home,” or wanting to “find your soulmate” or “be rich,” think about being as specific as possible. What does your ideal life look like? What would you need in your life for it to be more fulfilling and meaningful?
To put it differently, if you won the lottery tomorrow and became a multimillionaire, what would you do with the rest of your life? Would you continue working at your job? Spend more time with your family or travel the world? Start your own business or devote more time to your hobbies?
Take some time to dream about the possibilities. Then, get a notebook that you’ll reserve for anything related to finding and developing your Purpose and write down your dream in vivid detail.
Identifying Purpose: What Matters Most
Now, write a list of the things that are most important to you in your life. What gets you out of bed in the morning? These are the things you are willing to devote time and energy to each day. Consider things like:
- Family
- Friends
- Faith/Spirituality
- Personal growth
- Having a Healthy Lifestyle
- Financial stability
- Work/life balance
- Maintaining a loving relationship with your significant other
- Being happy at work
- Being organized and using time wisely
- Participating in hobbies you enjoy
- Making a difference in the world
Setting Priorities
Setting priorities is crucial to finding “Purpose” because we often have so much going on in our lives that we lose track of who we are and what we want. We end up putting out one fire only to be confronted with another. With so many things on our plate, it’s easy to neglect ourselves, friends, and family.
Once you have your list, take a few moments to prioritize them on a scale starting with “1” as the most important. Then, reflect on these questions:
- What am I most passionate about?
- What would inspire me to get out of bed at 5 AM on a Saturday morning?
- What haven’t I experienced yet that I’ve always wanted to?
- What haven’t I given yet that I’ve always wanted to?
- What haven’t I learned yet that I’ve always wanted to?
- What part of me haven’t I healed yet that I still need to?
- Am I doing now what I really want to do?
- If not, do I even know what I’d really like to do?
- What can I do to serve others?
Write down your honest answers – not what you should do or what others expect you to do. Combine all your answers into a life’s purpose statement. Your purpose statement will answer the question, “Why am I here? What is my true calling in life?”
Find Meaning as Your Craft Your Statement
Go back to your piece of paper and write “My Purpose in life is…” Then, just write. Reflect on your dreams, priorities, and the questions listed above.
Next, think of ways you can use your passions and dreams to serve the world. Write down the following statement, “I will make the world a better place by…” and your answers.
Get all your ideas down on paper. This might take some time, but finding your Purpose is worth it. Write until you feel you have some clarity about your life. Then, go back and read the content. Is it powerful for you? Is it a wake-up call? If not, keep writing until you find something profound for you.
The Emotional Experience of
Defining Your Purpose
When you define your life’s purpose, it will be an emotional experience. You will look at what you wrote and have one of those mind-blowing “why didn’t I think of that before?” revelations. Even if your statements aren’t very impressive to others, what matters is that you find them 100% accurate and relevant, and they have emotional significance to you.
Defining your life’s purpose can be a transformative exercise. Take the time to explore your dreams and passions, prioritize what truly matters, and craft a purpose statement that resonates deeply with you. This process can provide clarity, direction, and a renewed sense of purpose, helping you to lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life.