How to know you found your purpose in life

How to know you found your purpose in life (Photo: iStock)

Hi Chris,

Everyone says we should all follow our purpose in life. But what does that even mean? How do I know if I've found mine? And what do I do if I haven't?

Purposeless?

Chris says,  

Hi Purposeless?!

You've found your purpose when you start each day with energy and passion, feel a deep inner excitement about your life, love what you're doing and know it matters.

Most people never get there. Forever longing for the weekend, their work is just what they do to pay the bills. Finding your purpose, on the other hand, will give you a sense of direction and point you towards a career you'll love. You'll also know what you stand for and your place in the world.

And it's never too late to find it. Start by taking some time to think and plan, review your finances to minimise your spending and save like crazy. A little money in the bank makes everything so much easier.

Take some time to think deeply about yourself. In particular, think about your long-term future and how you'd like to be remembered.

Identify your core skills. What are you good at? What do you really care about? What makes you different? What do you do that's so absorbing that it seems effortless? Do you do any of these things in your current job? No? Then create a project in your spare time where you can. Something you really look forward to doing every day.

Set up a routine of doing something every day towards your goals, no matter how small. Try out your new direction by helping people you know or volunteering. This will also make you known and build up your CV.

You may need to go back to school, but more likely you can move into a new field simply by marketing yourself differently. Think in terms of skills and achievements rather than certificates. And live a little of your new purpose every day so that people start to associate you with your new direction.

Until you suddenly realise that your life has become deeply fulfilling.

All the best,

Chris