At some point in our lives, many of us will feel purposeless. If you’re fortunate enough to have a devoted family, a fulfilling job, and encouraging friends, you might be wondering why it doesn’t feel like enough or that something is missing.
It may seem as though you are floating aimlessly through life without a sense of direction or meaning when you lack both meaning and purpose. Finding meaning and purpose though, can help you connect to something bigger and can instill in you traits like ambition, aim, passion, and vigour. The good news is that it’s never too late to discover your purpose if you are unsure of it.
I’ve written on the topic of finding your purpose previously: What is Your Life Purpose? 5 Ways to Discover it Today.
To help you find sense of purpose in your life, here are eight different tips that can help you live a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
After all, “Having a sense of purpose is having a sense of self. A course to plot is a destination to hope for” – Bryant M. MCgcill.
1. Find Your Calling
“Your career is what you’re paid for, your calling is what you’re made for.” – Steve Harvey.
Finding your calling can enable you to lead a life that is both fulfilling and purposeful. Your calling resembles a unique route created especially for you. It combines your values, skills, and hobbies. It involves introspection and taking the time to discover what actually makes you happy in order to find it.
Pay special attention to the activities that give you a sense of fulfilment and excitement. What gives you a sense of fulfilment and joy? These are crucial hints that may help you discover your calling. Embrace your gut feelings and take the direction that feels right to you.
It can be necessary to push yourself outside of your comfort zone and face hardships in order to live in line with your calling. When you follow your purpose, you radiate with a unique energy that opens doors and helps you advance.
Keep in mind that your calling might not correspond to any established categories or professions. It can include combining several things or following a special path you design for yourself. Accept the trip and remain receptive to new opportunities.
So, give your calling some thought. Believe that something great is waiting for you and pay attention to your heart. Accept the challenge and live a life that is meaningful and fulfilling.
2. Be Around People Who Inspire You
It might also be beneficial to consider your surroundings if you’re struggling with a lack of purpose or meaning in your life.
Consider focusing appropriately less on the people you “have” to see or feel obliged to spend time with, such as coworkers and certain family members. Who do you chose to be around? It’s simple to feel down if those around you are negative, and it can be challenging to be inspired if they aren’t motivated or motivating.
Obviously, there are other ways to find meaning and purpose besides cutting off these folks. However, it can be beneficial to make an effort to spend time with those that motivate and inspire you to make a difference.
While occasionally this might also feel a little daunting, some people also find it helpful to read about inspirational people. We may read about a civil rights activist who inspired a generation, for example, and we can feel inspired in some ways and intimidated in others; as though no matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to make such a difference.
However, frequently our seemingly insignificant actions have a significant impact. If there are people in your life that inspire and elevate you, make an effort to spend more time with them. Why not think about joining a buddy at the upcoming social justice event if they attend presentations or protests about the issue? And you may ask to join a buddy if they assist at the neighbourhood soup kitchen.
Don’t worry if you don’t surround yourself with others that motivate you in this way. Today, there are a plethora of opportunities to interact with others, create deep relationships, and find inspiration, from joining Facebook groups and community centres to starting online support groups.
3. Trust Yourself
You understand that each of us possesses a tremendous force. That inner resource and strength that frequently goes unnoticed. One contributory factor to living a life that is full of meaning and fulfilment may lie in learning to trust yourself.
Being self-assured entails having faith in your judgement and intuition. It is having faith that you possess the knowledge and inner strength to navigate life’s ups and downs. When you have faith in yourself, you are able to steer your own ship in the direction of your actual desires.
The first step to living with a purpose is to pay attention to and seek to know yourself. Pay attention to your interests, aspirations, and principles. What brings joy to your heart? What do you really hope to achieve in life? Have faith that such desires are real and worthwhile.
But keep in mind that we all make mistakes from time to time, and that’s how we learn. Accept your flaws and use them as stepping stones to help you reach your goals.
Setting limits and making decisions that respect your needs and ideals are other aspects of having confidence in oneself. Don’t let other people’s viewpoints or expectations overly influence you.
You move into your own power when you have faith in yourself. You develop greater self-assurance, resiliency, and capacity for taking on problems. You begin living life on own terms and working for the ambitions and objectives that are most important to you.
4. Be Optimistic
Being optimistic means looking for the positive even in adverse circumstances. It involves having the conviction that there is always a path forward and that issues can be resolved. Positivity and positive events are attracted to you when you have an optimistic outlook.
Having a positive outlook on life is necessary for living with purpose. It involves having confidence in your ability to change the world and overcome obstacles. Your motivation and drive to achieve your goals are fuelled by optimism.
Choosing optimism means adopting a growth- and possibility-oriented mindset. You view setbacks as transient difficulties rather than allowing them to demoralise you. You grow from your errors and use them as stepping stones on the road to achievement.
Being upbeat also helps you to be tough. Even though life might be challenging at times, having a positive mindset helps you recover more quickly. You have the mental fortitude to press on and pursue what matters to you most.
So, look for the good in every situation, even when things get hard. Believe in yourself and life’s endless possibilities. With optimism by your side, you’ll live a purposeful life filled with joy and gratitude.
5. Recognise Your Needs
We often get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, always putting others’ needs before our own. But here’s a secret: recognising and honouring your own needs is essential for living a life filled with purpose and fulfilment.
According to Dr. Elena Touroni, an experienced Consultant Psychologist, “Our relationship with ourselves comes first and foremost. As soon as we’ve identified our needs, we empower ourselves with the ability to ask for them to be met.”
Taking the time to recognise your needs means truly understanding what makes you happy and fulfilled. It’s about realising that you deserve love, care, and attention like everyone else. When you prioritise your own needs, you’re not being selfish; you’re practising self-care and self-love.
Living with a sense of purpose starts with being self-aware. Take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you and what you need to thrive. Is it spending quality time with loved ones? Is it pursuing a hobby or passion that brings you joy? Or is it taking care of your physical and mental well-being? Whatever it may be, acknowledge those needs and make them a priority in your life.
Remember, by caring for yourself and meeting your needs, you become a happier and more fulfilled individual. This, in turn, allows you to show up better for others and positively impact the world.
6. Develop Positive Emotions
Living a life with a sense of purpose is like having a secret ingredient that makes everything taste better. Each day is given purpose and fulfilment by that unique item. Have you ever given it some thought as to what is most important to you? What causes your spirit to dance and your heart to sing? That is where the meaning is.
Finding your purpose is not about chasing great ambitions or reaching massive success. It’s important to know who you are and what makes you happy. The simple things in life are what make it worthwhile to live. Spend some time considering what is most important to you. What makes you feel alive and excited?
It’s time to start acting after you have a clear understanding of what gives your life meaning. Start making little progress towards important goals that are consistent with your values. Keep in mind that purpose is a journey rather than a destination. Accept every day as a chance to change the world, whether it is via your relationships, your work, or just by being kind to others.
To live with purpose, one must be alert and deliberate. Keep your ideals close to your heart and make decisions that reflect them. When things don’t go as planned, try not to be too hard on yourself. Accept the lessons, continue to develop, and remain loyal to who you are.
7. Read
The concept of connection is closely intertwined with meaning and purpose, making reading an easily accessible pathway to discovering significance in one’s life.
At its essence, reading revolves around connection. Engaging with the words penned by individuals we may never meet establishes a connection between them and us. Additionally, it allows us to connect with different eras and places, often immersing ourselves in unfamiliar realms.
Numerous studies demonstrate that individuals who read religious texts such as the Bible tend to possess a heightened sense of purpose. However, this sentiment is not solely attributable to the religious nature of the material. Research indicates that those who engage with secular works like fiction and poetry also consistently exhibit a stronger sense of purpose.
Consider the profound literary characters from history. Whether it’s Atticus Finch fighting against racial injustice in To Kill a Mockingbird or Frodo Baggins embarking on a perilous journey to Mordor in The Lord of the Rings, these characters often embody an unwavering sense of purpose. The more we witness purpose in the lives of others, be they fictional or real, the more likely we are to recognise it within ourselves.
Many influential and driven individuals credit reading for instilling purpose in their lives. Therefore, if you find yourself yearning for meaning, something as simple as picking up a book can make a difference, aiding you in identifying what truly matters in your own life.
8. Explore
“I can never stand still. I must explore and experiment” – Walt Disney.
Finding your sense of purpose cannot be achieved by simply contemplating on a couch. It is a journey of trial and error, where you explore, experiment, and embrace new experiences to determine what truly resonates with you. Instead of succumbing to the critical voice that demands perfection or the ideal fit, redirect your attention towards embracing novelty and daring to take acceptable risks.
The underlying message here is that uncovering or reigniting your sense of purpose lies not in making a single decision, but in focusing on the transformative process that leads to that decision. It involves overcoming obstacles that hinder your progress, forging ahead even when uncertainty looms, and listening to those small internal voices that affirm the importance of your choices. Ultimately, you define and discover your true self by continuously exploring and defining who you are.
Final Word
In a nutshell, living a purposeful life involves actively participating in the process of self-discovery rather than passively sitting and reflecting. We must push ourselves to explore new things, leave our comfort zones, and embrace the exploration process. We can experience fulfilment and growth if we can let go of the fear of failing or failing to find the right fit.
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