Charting a Path to Purpose
6 Steps to Living Your Purpose on Purpose
What if I told you that knowing your purpose in life would help you live longer? I’m sure you’d say, “SIGN ME UP!”
Well, low and behold, research does indeed indicate a positive correlation between purpose and lifespan. The study of 7000 Americans between 51 and 61 indicated that “People who didn’t have a strong life purpose — which was defined as “a self-organizing life aim that stimulates goals” — were more likely to die than those who did, and specifically more likely to die of cardiovascular diseases” (Gordon, 2019).
Now, if you are like most, you’ve probably asked yourself, “What is my purpose?” Moreover, you may have been trying to figure it out or resolved that “Maybe I just don’t have a higher calling for my life.”
Throughout time, people have questioned the reason for their existence. Philosophies have been developed, examining the nature and purpose of being. The existential question remains one that people strive to answer — Why I am here?
The good news is that the answer to this question is much closer than it seems, even if you have been struggling trying to find your purpose. And here is the clincher — It was never lost to begin with!
Our existence is a unique experience, and one that is custom designed for each and every one of us, what I like to call divine and designed. We are in no way “cookie-cutter” or the same because the events and circumstance, regardless of how similar, are unique experiences to us alone.
Each and every one of us has unique experiences that serve as our school in developing our skills, talents, and strengths. As we experience happiness and pain, our skillset grows, preparing us for our path, our meaning, and our purpose.
Purpose is not lost, so there is no need to search — it simply needs to be defined. Sorting through what didn’t seem to make sense, was unfair, or stands out as pinnacle moments in our lives brings us closer to understanding what is truly important to live a life of fulfillment.
Why Am I Here?
In my book, Allowing Inspired Transformation: 6 Steps to Defining Your Purpose for an Epic Effect I walk readers through the self-discovery process to identify their heart cadence so that they can live their purpose on purpose. Through a series of exercises, readers explore past-experiences and how they have shaped their values and ignited passion and interests.
Where I find my clients get most tripped up prior to working with me on defining their purpose is that they look at people like Mother Teresa and feel like they are insignificant or maybe just don’t have a purpose.
I am here to tell you we are all here ON PURPOSE and we have been put on this earth to LIVE OUR PURPOSE and it helps when you know what your purpose is so that you can live your purpose on purpose.
Perhaps there is just one person on this planet that you were supposed to impact by living your purpose; it doesn’t have to be hundreds or thousands. If everyone on the planet were here to positively impact the life of just one other person, and did so, the sum of the purposeful impacts would be massive.
There is a reason that you are here. So what is it?
I ask my clients, “If I were your Fairy Godmother and could send you anywhere in the world to do a job that you would be paid handsomely for, what would it be? There are no limits.”
This question provides an initial indication of their heart’s desire.
From here, we can go through the 6 Steps:
1. How did you become who you are? Look back on significant memories of life events and circumstances (good and bad) that had an impact. How did they influence you?
2. What is the most important to you? What are your core values and why? Hint: Look to the memories identified in Step 1 for the impact they had either supporting or violating your core values.
3. Where am I today as opposed to where I would like to be?
4. What skills have you developed on purpose or by default (example: resiliency, public speaking, etc.)? How will these skills help you get to where you would like to be? What skills might you need that you have not learned or gained?
5. What is your purpose statement? This is derived from Step 2, and should include 3–5 words that describe what’s most important to you. Your purpose statement should fit on a bumper sticker. Mine is “I inspire passion, confidence and authenticity in all that I do.”
6. What would be the coolest thing that could happen to you this year?
The six steps can provide you with some great insight into how you got here, where you want to go, but most importantly, they can help you define exactly why you are here so that you can live your purpose on purpose to lead a more fulfilling life.
I’d highly encourage you to pick up Allowing Inspired Transformation: 6 Steps to Defining Your Purpose for an Epic Effect so that you too can experience the satisfaction that has been had by hundreds of my one-on-one coaching clients over the years.
I can tell you that once you define your purpose and begin living in your purpose, it is the most satisfying feeling in the entire world –and now we know that you may live longer by knowing and living your purpose. I wish that upon all that read this.
Namaste.
