Redefining Your Life Purpose

We all have moments when life throws us a curve ball. We make plans and then discover they have to be changed. Sometimes we have to pivot everything in a new direction right when we thought we were settled in for the long-term.

Throughout our lives we have to redefine our purpose. It's the starting point for everything meaningful and a skill we'd all do well to keep sharp.

What Does It Mean to Be You?

You are never too young or too old to seek your life's purpose. A few years ago, I visited Grade 4 students in Fort McMurray to lead a discussion about this very topic. I stood in front of a class of eager young people and asked a two simple questions: Who are you? What does it mean to be you?

Then, I asked the young students to think about their gifts as a person, how they currently share their gifts with others, and what else they might do to share their gifts in the future?

Look Within

To help the students understand, we found inspiration in a man named Nick Vujicic. He faced challenges most of us have trouble imagining. Born without any arms or legs, he was picked on in school and he felt very alone. For many years, he believed what other people seemed to think about him.

Then, he changed the direction of his gaze and began looking at himself. He decided to rely on his own thoughts and dreams to define who he is. Now, he is a highly sought-after motivational speak and best-selling author. He travels the globe advocating for anti-bullying and sharing what he has learned about finding your personal strengths. You can learn more by visiting his website at nickvujicic.com.

Here is what Nick Vujicic says, "Life isn't about having, it's about being. You could surround yourself with all that money can buy, and you'd still be as miserable as a human can be. I know people with perfect bodies who don't have half the happiness I've found. On my journeys I've seen more joy in the slums of Mumbai and the orphanages of Africa than in wealthy gated communities and on sprawling estates worth millions. Why is that? You'll find contentment when your talents and passion are completely engaged, in full force."

Three Powerful Questions

So, how do we engage our talents and passion in full force? How do we find our life's purpose? One way is to pay attention to how we feel. When you're involved in your passion, you feel fully alive and plugged into the present. You may lose track of time.

Ask yourself three questions:

• What activities bring me joy? Instead of choosing your path based on what other people expect, listen to your basic gut reaction. Consider this: If you pursue what brings you joy, you will spend more time feeling joyful.
• What unique qualities do I bring to the world? There's no point trying to be someone other than yourself. Not only is that futile, it leads to unhappiness. But if you tap into what only you have to offer, you will be fulfilling the reason you were born.
• What would my perfect world look like and what would my role be in that world? Our imaginations are powerful predictors of the future. The more vividly you can imagine the future you want, the more likely it is that your dreams will become real.

As Mark Twain said, "The two most important days in life are the day you are born and the day you find out why."

Your Friends,
The UpCloseTeam