How to find your purpose in life
How to find your purpose in life. Surely we all get fed up with people on social media saying ‘The secret to happiness is to find your purpose’. If it was that easy we all would have done it by now. Finding purpose in life doesn’t come with an instruction manual and is a deeply personal and introspective journey. It takes time and has to be hard fought for with self-reflection, and exploration to discover what truly brings meaning and fulfilment to your life. There are however actions that you can take which might bring you nearer to finally feeling that you have connected with yourself and are on the right track to find your ‘raison d’etre’. Here are some steps you can consider to help you find purpose:
Self-reflection: Take the time to reflect on your values, passions, and interests. So rarely do we do this but this work can really help guide your focus. What activities make you lose track of time? What brings you joy and fulfilment – what do you look forward to doing- what are you good at?
Set meaningful goals: Think about what you want to achieve in different areas of your life, such as career, relationships, personal growth, and contribution to society. If you have taken the time to reflect on your values, then create new behaviour which is underpinned by these values as this can provide a sense of purpose and direction, and it should require less energy because it truly resonates with you.
Explore new experiences: Step outside of your comfort zone and try new things. Engage in activities or hobbies that you’ve been curious about, or go back to childhood and look at the behaviour, play and games you sed to enegage with and see if there’s a gron up version. Hide and seek might actually mean you enjoy geocaching, British bulldogs might mean that rugby or dodgeball is now your adult sport. By exploring different areas, you may discover new passions or interests that can lead you to a greater sense of purpose.
Seek inspiration: Look for role models or mentors who inspire you. Read books, listen to podcasts, or attend events related to topics that interest you. Learning from others who have found their purpose can provide valuable insights and inspiration for your own journey.
Volunteer or help others: Engaging in acts of kindness and contributing to the well-being of others can bring a sense of purpose. Volunteer your time or skills to causes or organizations that resonate with your values. Also you are more likely to find new friends and people who work at these organisations who share the same values as you. Helping others can create a meaningful impact and provide a greater sense of purpose in your own life.
Reflect on your impact: Consider the kind of impact you want to make in the world. Reflect on how you can use your skills, talents, and resources to make a positive difference. This can be on a small scale within your community or on a larger scale through your career or personal endeavours.
Embrace personal growth: Continuously work on personal development and growth. Engage in activities that challenge you to learn and grow. This can help you develop new skills, gain new perspectives, and expand your horizons, all of which can contribute to finding purpose.
Be patient and open-minded: Finding purpose is a lifelong journey, and it may evolve over time. Be patient with yourself and remain open-minded to new possibilities and experiences. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and allow yourself to adapt and change as you gain new insights and perspectives.
Remember, finding purpose is a unique and individual process. There is no right or wrong here, just you trying to tune into what is important to you now at this stage of life. It’s important to listen to your inner voice, trust your instincts, and stay true to yourself throughout the journey.
If you would like help with your midlife transition or to find direction in the second half of life, why not read The Midlife Crisis Handbook or join other people going through a similar experience on one of our courses where a supportive and welcoming learning environment is provided.