You Get to Decide What “Purpose” Means to You
In my guide Connect to Yourself & Find Your Purpose, my first tip is to define what purpose means to you.
Have you ever thought about what the word purpose actually means to you personally?
What is it that you’re searching for? How will you know when you “find” it?
The word purpose means a number of things to different people. And the reason this is important to know is that you don’t want to find yourself chasing someone else’s version of Purpose. Because what’s the use in that?
When I search Google for the definition of Purpose the first result is:
Pur·pose /ˈpərpəs/
noun: “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.”
A lot of people use this definition for their own version of purpose. And when you translate that to a person, it’s basically the reason you exist on this planet. If this is your definition and you haven’t yet identified what that purpose is, OF COURSE you’re probably not feeling good about it.
Let’s open it up. I think that it’s pretty rare that you’re on this planet for ONE purpose.
Does it have to mean your job? Can part of your purpose be enjoying your life on earth?
(I have a lot of thoughts on this topic and I go into it more HERE.)
Even the word Purpose can carry a lot of weight. It can create pressure. The pressure to find the ONE reason you’re alive on this earth. Wowie. 😅
If this is you, and the word Purpose just feels too much, how would it feel to choose other words? What alternatives feel more empowering to use?
Some examples:
Direction, calling, mission, message, next thing, your WHY, your work, motivation, intention, passion, etc.
The list goes on.
I took a poll on instagram and collected some really good answers…
I asked, What does PURPOSE mean to you?
“That which feeds the soul and gives meaning to our lives.”
“Reasons for living! Contributions to your community!”
“Something that gets you up in the morning even on your worst days.”
“Finding a place in the world that not only supports progression, but also supports peace.”
“Feeling fulfilled and in a genuine state of happiness that you’re on the right path for YOU.”
“The path my soul craves to wander down.”
These are real answers from real people. It makes me a little emotional to read them. Each and every one of them is so heartfelt and beautiful. I love the way that they’re so freeing, have such depth, and room to move around and play. Incredible.
One of my previous clients wrote her own definition of Purpose in such a creative way. When she first sat down with this exercise, she came up with a definition, but she still found it a little limiting and felt disappointed. In our session, I asked her to get a little more expansive with her definition. To go broader than the “expected” definition of purpose.
She wrote:
“What is my purpose on this earth?
To build community
To love and be loved
To connect with the earth
To explore
To play
To create family
To treat people kindly
To treat the earth with respect
To learn
To grow
To be
I am already living my purpose.”
As her coach, reading her new definition brought me to tears. This was someone who was so stressed out by not knowing her purpose, that she was constantly worrying about it. And then to see in her own handwriting that she was already living her purpose. It was such a powerful shift! When I saw her in our next session, I could see so much light in her eyes. Ah, what a gift!
I invite you to create your own definition. You can borrow some of these examples above or create a whole new definition for yourself.
I’d love to hear from you. Tell me, what’s your definition of purpose?
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