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?
To get more tips for finding direction and purpose, sign up to receive my free guide Connect to Yourself & Find Your Purpose.
The Mindset Shift That Changed It All
The mindset shift that helped me find my purpose when I was feeling lost.
Today I’m telling you about the mindset shift that changed it all for me when I was lost and searching for my purpose.
Before Picture
I remember years ago feeling so lost. The question of “what’s my purpose?” and “what the hell am I doing with my life?” were constantly haunting my mind. It was something I spent sooo much time worrying about and it occupied way too much brain space.
I was working an unfulfilling job and felt like I was wasting my life away. Deep down, I knew that I was here for more, I just couldn’t access what it was.
I would spend my off days researching different topics, searching for answers to this elusive question. I felt like I was getting nowhere and wished someone would just TELL ME my purpose already.
All the while seeing others around me seemingly having an easy time.
Was it just me? Did no one else struggle like this?
The Shift
I came across an interview or podcast about Purpose and the way they talked about it was unlike anything I had heard before.
They basically asked “Does your purpose have to mean your job?”
And they went on to say something along the lines of, Isn’t there so much more to life than jobs? Don’t you think part of your purpose is to *enjoy* your life on earth?
This was a breakthrough moment for me. Hearing that totally shifted my perspective and how I thought about my Purpose. Instead of this narrow view I held of what purpose was, it really expanded my mindset and helped me take some of the pressure off.
Because YES there is WAY more to life than just working. Our capitalistic society makes us think that our purpose and value is measured by our productivity.
How messed up is that??
Reminds me of this tweet by @melatoninlau on twitter:
“Western cultures believe we must be alive for a purpose. To work, to make money. Some indigenous cultures believe we are alive just as nature is alive: to be here, to be beautiful & strange. We don’t need to achieve anything to be valid in our humanness.”
New View of Purpose
Hearing about purpose in a new light helped me realize how much time I had been spending worrying about my purpose and staying stuck instead of living my purpose.
Because when you expand past your job, your life is meant to be lived. Not spent excessively worrying about your purpose.
When you shift your focus on things you enjoy, things that bring you joy and pleasure, life doesn’t feel so goddamn miserable anymore.
Conclusion
Purpose doesn’t have to be limited to your job. When you expand your definition of purpose it can be freeing and lead you to a more purpose filled life.
If you’d like some help on your path to purpose, check out my free guide Connect to Yourself & Find Your Purpose. Inside, you’ll find 10 tips on helping you find greater purpose in your life. Click here to get your copy!