The Importance of Having A Sense of Purpose
In this day and age, we work hard. Really hard. We all hustle in order to make a living. But research has shown stopping to smell the roses—by focusing on our side passions, practicing self-care, and spending time with loved ones—is a crucial element of living a long life.
There’s significant research indicating that these so-called “soft” sciences have an effect on our body and behaviour. For example, research has shown those who are optimistic and have good overall mental health are less likely to smoke and more likely to both exercise and eat a healthy diet.
Other research has shown exercising with a buddy makes you more likely to lose weight than if you were to go at it alone. Another study showed people who received a daily hug were 32 percent less likely to get sick. If that’s not a reason to go hug your loved ones right now, we don’t know what is! Although it’s important to keep our brains young through work and intellectual stimulation, it’s just as important to have fulfilling relationships and a sense of purpose. Ask yourself about the quality of your relationships, career path and connections. Do you have a purpose? Do you love? Are you loved in return?
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Why is Having a Sense of Purpose So Important?
Assess where you are and what you need to do in order to make improvements. These issues can be deep and complicated, and certainly aren’t easy to solve with one tip or trick. But we do believe you can take small steps to both find your purpose (say by exploring a side passion) and foster connections (like joining a meet up group in your area).
Another thing you can do is practice mindfulness—the skill of being present and engaged. It takes work, but it’s worth it. Schedule time into your life to nurture your connections and do the things you love. Whether this means weekly FaceTime calls with your best friend or visiting the local art museum once a month, make sure you schedule time to stop and smell the roses.
When we think about longevity, it can be tempting to ponder things like bionic body parts and hearts that beat with infinite power. But it’s also important to realise that one of the best ways to ensure we live long, fulfilling lives is to have a sense of purpose and surround ourselves with those we love.
Ways To Find Your Purpose
Life is short. You deserve a career where you have a sense of purpose. But It is up to you to define and enact your purpose. Here are some ways you can use to start to find your purpose today…
Start By Putting It All Together
Living your purpose means waking up every morning excited. The moment your feet hit the ground, you can’t wait to make a difference in the life of another. You’re excited to solve a problem, put a smile on someone’s face, identify a solution to an issue, and you go to bed at night with the internal satisfaction that you were your most productive self that day. You brought your best self to work and gave it 100 percent.
Then Ask…
Ask yourself, How can I use my purpose to make a difference?—and your subconscious mind will open to the universe and its possibilities.
Try to start each day with some quiet time to yourself, whether you’re into meditation, prayer or a nice fresh morning coffee. Give yourself the space to ask yourself this question every single day.
Actively Seek Answers...
Actively look for answers to how you can use your purpose each day. Look for the path that you’re supposed to take. Do your research. Understand that you may have to follow a lot of rabbit trails, some of which will take you to dead ends. That’s OK; it’s all part of the process.
The path to living out your purpose isn’t always obvious or clear-cut. Go online, watch videos and listen to podcasts. Read every book you can get your hands on that calls out to you. Seek guidance from people who can help you live your purpose.
Once you’ve opened your mind and heart to the possibilities of the universe, pay close attention to the people who show up.
They are there to either teach you a lesson, challenge you or help you on your path.
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Knock…
And keep knocking.
When you come upon a door of opportunity that you intuitively believe is for you, you must knock. If you want to find out what’s on the other side of the door, you have to push it open and step through.
Every single day take one small step that moves you in the direction of your purpose. Write down your goal, then break it down into smaller goals, and then even further into small, actionable steps. I promise you, these will add up quickly.
Believe within your spirit that this is why you are here. Make the decisions and choices that bring into your life the things that will help you fulfil your purpose. There will be times when you lose your footing or take a wrong step, and that’s OK. Each step, whether right or wrong, will teach you something and lead you closer to your purpose. Listen and pay attention to each one.
Follow these three steps purposefully and consciously every single day, day in and day out. If you do, I promise that you will wake up one day just a few short years from now and your life will be completely transformed—because you’ll be living your purpose.
Ignite Your Intuition.
Intuition is knowing or sensing without the use of rational processes. Call it a hunch, or your sixth sense—it’s when you simply know you were meant to walk a certain path or make a specific decision. You don’t know why you know, you just do.
When I let my intuition guide me while speaking before a crowd, I fall into a state of uncomplicated joy, knowing that I am making a difference in these people’s lives. I forget to look at the clock because I am in an effortless flow, doing what I love. Adding value to the word costs you nothing, but will earn you everything.
Listening to and following your instincts is key to becoming purpose-driven. When you live with purpose, you become more intentional about what you do and how you do it. While many people depend on hard data, schooling and experience to make decisions, We invite you to remain open to what your intuition might be telling you, especially if it’s different from what logic indicates. There will also be times when you simply don’t have enough information to make a good decision—what do you do then?
Get quiet, listen to your gut and go with it.
Going against the grain—especially in corporate cultures where companies might be telling you, “Bring us your brains, but check your heart at the door”—isn’t easy. Whether the world approves or disapproves of you following your intuition, you’re the one who has to live with your choice. You’ll know that your instinct is on target by the peace you’ll feel in your soul.
It might be hard work to build meaning in life in the first place – but once we have it, everything will become just a little smoother.
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