(6 minute read)
Many people rarely, if ever, think about finding their life’s purpose. And those who tend to be more self-reflective may entertain the idea of pursuing a life purpose on occasion. But the question: “What is my life’s purpose?” most often crops up when we are faced with a life crisis or a dramatic change in life circumstances. Losing a job, a health crisis that makes us aware of just how short life can be, or a worldwide pandemic that makes us rethink what normal is, was, or will be, can prompt us to wonder what our life purpose is.
There are a number of myths or preconceived notions about finding our life purpose that make it seem as though it is a mystical journey wrought with twists and turns that rarely results in a successful conclusion. Read on while we attempt to debunk these myths for you.
Myth #1: We only have one life purpose
As living conditions around the world improve life expectancies have increased. With longer lifetimes, it’s likely you will enjoy a number of passions throughout your life. Remember as a child or teenager having interests that consumed your every waking thought? You’ve probably grown out of the passions you cherished as a child or teenager, and your values and priorities will be different in mid-life from those you held in your twenties or those you may hold later in life. And some have a passion for something that persists throughout their entire life.
Generally speaking, your life purpose is bound to change as you change, and that’s a good thing! It’s important to adapt to changing circumstances and grow as a person. A good rule of thumb is to stay focused on the here and now. Think of your life purpose as something you focus on in the present and not as a lifetime commitment! Open yourself up to the options available to you and enjoy being able to achieve more than you thought possible.
Sharing this thought process with your clients is so powerful. We talk about purpose as if there is only one purpose in life and we should connect to it, devote our lives to it, and never stray from it.
Myth #2: Your job must be connected to your life purpose
You may feel called to a particular cause or purpose that is not your job and that’s OK. So many of us fall into our jobs or careers quite by accident. So, know that you can live a life of purpose without making it your career. When you engage in meaningful activities, focus on things you enjoy doing, or support a cause you feel passionate about, you are living your values and you may find your purpose and your values are interconnected.
Myth #3: Life purpose is only for the chosen few
Everyone has a purpose, and while some people are born with a purpose, most take some time to figure it out and it can strike us at any stage of life. While we tend to think a purpose must be something significant, our purpose might actually be inconsequential to the world but meaningful to us. If you haven’t found your purpose yet, it doesn’t mean one doesn’t exist for you. It just means you need to keep looking. A life purpose need not mean saving the world or winning a Nobel Prize. It can be as straightforward as wanting to help people, achieving a significant personal goal, or volunteering in your local community. The key is to find what you’re passionate about, what makes your heart sing, and to follow that in a way that feels right for you.
Myth #4: Finding your life purpose makes everything easy.
Some think that once they find their life purpose, everything will be rosy and will stay rosy. But the real world isn’t like that. Life’s ups and downs will keep happening just as they always have. As you continue to experience life, you might even find that your life purpose will change. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed,it means that you’re adapting to the difficulties of life. You will grow and change and find more life purposes all as valid and worthwhile as the one where you started.
Scientists have even found that having a life purpose makes you more resilient and better able to deal with adversity. An interesting article on science and purpose is, How To Create A Sense Of Purpose, According To Science by Cortland Dahl, who says “Our sense of purpose shapes how we feel about ourselves and our lives, but it is also linked to memory and cognitive abilities, to a lower risk of major health issues, like heart problems and stroke, and, believe it or not, to having a higher income and net worth.”
Once you’ve started finding meaning in your life, you’ll keep finding it no matter what life throws at you. In doing so, you will be an example to others of how to live a purposeful life.
Myth #5: You have to find your life purpose before you start living with purpose
You might think that your life purpose is something you have to work hard to find or that you can’t start living with purpose until you know what that purpose is. But chances are you already have purpose somewhere in your life. You only need to be more conscious of it.
Your life purpose is what drives you, deep down it’s what makes you feel joyful, satisfied, content, and fulfilled. So, the key to purposeful living is to focus on things that make you happy. Determine what it is you love to do and keep doing it. Eventually, you will come to know how this activity can become your life purpose. Living mindfully, committing to self-reflection, and doing what feels good will keep you on the path of finding your life purpose.
Myth #6: You are born with a life purpose and it’s a mystery to be revealed
A life purpose is not something bestowed on you in the cradle by a fairy godmother. In some ways, it might be easier if it were. Yes, some people know their life purpose from an early age. But it doesn’t matter whether you know your destiny as a toddler, or your life purpose is the result of extensive inquiry and self-reflection. The truly important thing is that you learn to pay attention when you find yourself indulging in your passion, when you realize you are in your zone and feel as though you are making a difference in the lives of others. As you to tap into these feelings and pursue activities that heighten them you will know you’re on the right path to finding your purpose.
Myth #7: It is wrong to make money from your life purpose
If you are lucky enough to find your purpose and it results in making money, good for you! Mary remembers her grandmother telling her how wonderful it is to find at once, “A life and a living.” Today as a successful coach she realizes the true meaning of that statement. However, the desire to make money should not be the main objective of finding your purpose. If your purpose is your passion, you will be living an exciting, fulfilling life and each day will be a blessing. A life purpose does not have to be one of sacrifice and selflessness. Living your life purpose should be joyful and energizing, not an endurance test.
Myth #8: A life purpose must be really significant
Your life purpose doesn’t have to involve brokering world peace or ending poverty. You can find satisfaction and meaning by working in your town, your church, or your neighborhood. If you are concerned about literacy, start by helping kids learn to read at your local school, library, or community center.
The impact made by living your purpose doesn’t have to be huge. In fact, it may have a meaningful impact in a very small way. Whether it’s mowing an elderly neighbor’s lawn, giving haircuts to homeless people, or advocating for human rights, living your life purpose will be meaningful to those whose lives you touch.
Now that we’ve busted all these myths about finding your Life Purpose, if you haven’t found yours yet, give it another try. We’ve made it easy to do so with our eBook and workbook, Living A Purpose-Full Life, which will take you step-by-step through an uplifting journey into finding your unique life purpose. It just might change your life and the lives of those around you.
Thanks for reading.
