Purpose.
The calling that derives from your heart.
The reason that wakes you up in the morning.
The thing that ignites your soul.
The reason for why you are alive.
The mission you’re meant to accomplish.
“To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation.”
(Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist)
Welcome back to article #2 of my series on the exciting topic of life’s purpose. In my latest post, I wrote about the meaning of our existence and touched upon the question “Why am I here”?. Today, I offer you a questionnaire which allows you to get an idea of your unique gift. The mission you’re here to accomplish. A mission that serves humanity, the greater good as well as your Self to learn, grow, understand, and internalize.
People are born into a structured world with specific conditions. After school, apprenticeship or uni, they’re offered certain job models. However, almost nobody asks about your inner desires, dreams, visions or even supports your own talents. At least I personally didn’t feel comfortable enough to unfold my inner nudges back in childhood and adolescents; to dig deeper into my interests in creative work, art, music, health, and spirituality. Statements, like “Dreams remain dreams”, “Dreams are but shadows”, “That’s nothing to make money out of”, “Money doesn’t grow on trees”, “Stay realistic!”, etc. have surrounded me everywhere. It ultimately is a belief system which society holds and keeps alive. After all, I do not want to be dictated by such statements anymore. I’m convinced that anything is possible if you stay 100 % true to your Self and don’t get distracted by other’s opinions …
“Create a life you don’t need a vacation from.”
Let’s take a closer look at the meaning of most people’s life: Are they fulfilled? Getting up with an inner drive to get ready for their mission? Flowing with a big smile on their face through life? Is this the case? – Obviously not. Thus, there must be something wrong with this belief system.
You want to give your life and the life of others more meaning, but don’t really know where to start from? What to offer? You also don’t want to subscribe to societies’ belief system? Then get ready for today’s article!
~ Before we begin … ~
First of all, I want to point out that it is NEVER too late to start following a calling inside. If you’re 10, 20, 50, 77, even 100 years of age and read this article right now – it simply does NOT matter.
This article is not meant for you to read through it, but rather to “work” through it. Take a pen, paper, highlighter, and some time out of your day to focus on yourself.
I want you to answer the following by what comes instantly into your mind. I also encourage you to do a quick exercise on those questions you’re not sure about an answer:
Sit down comfortably.
Close your eyes.
Inhale deeply. Exhale completely.
Put one palm on your heart.
Ask yourself this specific question and breathe deeply into your heart.
Focus on this part of your body, focus on your breath, and listen to the answer that comes from within…
You know the answer. You always do. Mostly, your mind is just too loud to let it come to the surface …
Are you ready for the big questions? – Without further ado, let’s get into it!
~ Find your purpose: Key questions ~
I want to divide the collection of questions into four main sections which are personality, passion, talents and skills, as well as a target group.
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First of all, we’ll start with your PERSONALITY:
Take a look back at your life. Every single experience, relationship, event, etc. has been a contribution to the personality you are right now. Behind everything stands a reason. It has shaped your perspective on life, your knowledge, your skills, etc.
- What does your life experience point to? What does it reveal to you?
- What are your core values? – Find out more about this topic in my article on authenticity. List them down.
- What was/were the biggest challenge(s) you faced or are about to overcome in life? How did you overcome it/them?
- Who inspires you most? Why? Which qualities of this person deeply resonate with you?
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Now we’re heading over to the interesting part, your PASSIONS:
- What instantly puts a smile on your face? (e.g. an activity, event, a project you’re working on, people, animals, etc.)
- What brings you into your Highest Self? Meaning, what makes you feel authentically, comfortable in your skin, being fully present, in the zone?
- What makes you lose track of time?
- What did you most enjoy doing as a child?
- Which subjects in school were you most passionate about?
- What drives you from the inside out? What is it you do not need any external motivation to do it?
- What would you do without getting paid for it?
“A man with money is no match against a man on a mission.”
(Doyle Brunson)
- Imagine you wake up and money or any daily duties are no longer an issue. How would you spend your day? How does a day in your dream life look like? – Write everything down from the moment you wake up until you go to bed in the evening.
- Image your last day of life has arrived. You take a look back at what you’ve achieved, done, how you’ve lived, what relationships you’ve developed, etc. – What values most to you? Create a list.
- What would you regret not fully doing, being or having in life?
- Imagine you are a teacher. What would you teach?
~~~
Thirdly, let’s take a closer look at your TALENTS and SKILLS:
- What are you naturally good at?
- What comes easily to you?
- What feels like second nature to you (whether you’re totally passionate about it or less)?
- Which subject in school came easily to you?
- What problems are you easily able to solve?
- What qualifications do you have?
- With which problems do people mostly come to you and ask for advice?
Your talents give you an idea of your innate gifts. Although it may feel self-evident and insignificant to you, it definitely does not for everyone else … You are given certain talents in order to contribute to the world.
~~~
The last part relates to your TARGET GROUP or “audience”. As I mentioned in the previous article, being of service is a crucial aspect of our purpose:
- What people (or other beings, e.g. animals) do you enjoy being in the company of?
- What group of people (or animals) do you have compassion for or feel connected to?
- If you could spread a message to a large group of people. Who would this audience be? (In regards to the question “What would your message be?”)
The beings (people, animals, plants/nature) you resonate with deeply may give you a clue as to who you are meant to serve. That may be children, homeless people, fitness enthusiasts, spiritually open-minded people or single mom’s.
~ What’s next? ~
Now you have a few puzzle pieces of the bigger picture:
- your personality based upon life experience,
- your innate drive for life,
- your talents and qualifications as well as
- the group of people you most resonate with.
I highly encourage you to take enough time to answer all the questions. Then, read through them, find similarities, highlight those, and summarize your answers. You can also create a vision board containing all your answers which then allows you to take a broader look on it. I personally find it easier this way to combine certain answers and get an idea of the bigger picture.
“The bigger your mission becomes,
the greater inspiration you will be given.”
(Ryuho Okawa)
However, you don’t need to know this one and only HUGE life purpose of yours at once; as your values develop and change during life, so might your purpose. If you’re living healthy, happily, if you’re driven by infinite energy and passion, add value to other’s lives, and get abundance out of it – then you’re following your purpose. It definitely won’t reveal itself to you instantly in your head, but in the process of doing … What if the purpose of your life is this exact moment, waiting for you to take ANY action ..?
~~~
This was a rather theoretical lesson, practical advice will follow in an upcoming article. I’m also going to shed light on the statement “Your mess becomes your message”. Curious? – Stay tuned!
Take care. Stay true to yourself.
Lots of love & Namasté,
yours Isabel!
Pictures
Unsplash (www.unsplash.com)
