Are you wondering how to find your purpose in life? You have chanced upon the right place to get some advice on the same. Most individuals desire, among other things, to find meaning in their lives. Whether or not we realize it. Even while it sounds lovely, achieving it can seem difficult.

If you haven't given your personal purpose much thought, you could have some preconceived notions about what life is all about. Our upbringing frequently shapes these preconceived notions about life in our families and communities. Our lives are meant to get married and raise children. Or perhaps it's obtaining a certain financial goal or standing in society. 

Even if it might seem high to ask how to find your purpose in life, it's an important question. Greater success and joy in all aspects of your life can be yours when you discover your mission.

So let's get to the meat of the matter: what is the purpose of life, why is it important, and what are the 12 steps to discovering it? 

 

What is the Purpose of Life?

"The aim of life" is a topic that philosophers have explored and debated for ages. We won't attempt to respond to that here. Your life's purpose is of importance here. Most people eventually ponder over the question, "Why am I here? " It might be an exciting or terrifying question. Embracing the unsettling nature of this existential query can result in a stronger sense of self and more fruitful future directions.

To answer the question of how to find your purpose in life, you must acknowledge that your life's work is as distinctive to you as your fingerprint. Each of us has a unique set of abilities, life experiences, skill sets, and interests that excite us. Although it is connected to these, the purpose is what makes you who you are. Even though the day is gloomy, you're exhausted, and you know the chores and challenges that lie ahead will be difficult or even monotonous, this is what motivates you to get out of bed in the morning.

Following your joy is referred to as ikigai in Japan, and it is a concept. Ikigai has been more well-liked in the West recently as a means of assisting people in discovering their ideal vocations and career trajectories. Finding the areas where what you love and what the world needs and what you are good at, and what the world will pay for coincide is the idea. Your feeling of purpose is created using both your passion and rational reasoning.

If you're fortunate, your job may have led you to your ikigai, and you might finally have an answer to how to find your purpose in life. For instance, a doctor should ideally feel that their goal is to relieve suffering or assist those who are ill.

Others may find it more difficult to relate their work's meaning to their own feeling of purpose. We frequently give up the idealistic version of ourselves that yearns to discover a sense of meaning and purpose in life because of employment, family obligations, and social expectations. We hold that this trade-off is necessary and that pragmatic considerations are incompatible with meaning and purpose. But that's not really useful.

To keep you going over the long haul, you need a sense of purpose. And even when it seems like life is a series of compromises, you can still find and connect to your purpose by focusing more time on the things that make you happy.

 

Why Should You Find Your Purpose?

Finding your life's purpose may seem like a nice-to-have, but it's more crucial than you would realize. Better physical and mental fitness are benefits of leading a purposeful life. Additionally, it lowers the danger of chronic illness. Even extended life spans have been observed, according to numerous research.

Feeling a part of something larger than oneself gives one a sense of purpose. Finding your inner purpose by serving others might benefit you, yet experiencing isolation and loneliness can lead to an existential crisis.

Your mission will undoubtedly evolve during the course of your life. Staying connected to your purpose can be facilitated by ongoing growth and advancement.

 

How to Find Purpose in Life?

You're not the only one who wonders, "What is my purpose?" or how to find your purpose in life. Only one-fourth of American adults, according to one poll, think they have a distinct sense of purpose. If you belong to the other 75%, use these 12 suggestions to start your quest for meaning and purpose in life.

 

1. Become a growth-oriented individual

A sense of purpose is related to having a growth mentality. You can find your purpose and make a commitment to following it by constantly improving and evolving as a person. 

You can also accomplish the following with a growth mindset:

• Accept obstacles as opportunities.
• Be persistent despite failure.
• Accept constructive criticism and feedback.

 

2. Make a vision statement for yourself.

You may manage stress and achieve harmony in your life by creating a personal vision statement. It also acts as a road map to help you reach your goals by figuring out your fundamental values and what's essential to you. Making decisions that align with your purpose is simpler with a purpose statement.

 

3. Give more than you take

Your sense of meaning and purpose in life can be enhanced through prosocial behavior, sometimes known as giving. This implies that when you assist others, you assist yourself as well. Look for opportunities to help others. You might wish to offer your time or money to a cause that appeals to you, volunteer in your community, or donate your skills. Alternately, consider committing random acts of kindness to spread a little joy.

 

4. Demonstrate gratitude

The prosociality study discovered that emphasizing thankfulness and charitable deeds boosted a participant's sense of purpose. According to a different study, prosocial action and thankfulness trigger the same reward mechanisms in the brain. Additionally, it discovered that practicing thankfulness can encourage generosity and nice deeds, both of which have been linked to a sense of purpose. If you are wondering how to find your purpose in life, one of the most crucial factors is to show gratitude for others. 

At first, cultivating thankfulness may seem odd. It can feel strange to replace negative ideas with good ones since we have become accustomed to them. Write three to five things you are grateful for as soon as you wake up in the morning or just before you go to bed at night to get started.

 

5. Put your suffering to good use.

Life is difficult for everyone. As a result of overcoming these obstacles, we develop our individual abilities and viewpoints. When attempting to deal with a significant life transition, many people seek assistance. Some people subsequently discover their calling by aiding those going through the same challenges they did.

Some people decide to work with people directly, such as a social worker or life coach. Through the arts, such as writing, painting, or music, other people discover methods to influence the lives of others. Some go on to speak motivationally. It's up to you how you turn your suffering into something positive.

 

6. Examine your interests.

Your hobbies and interests might give you a fair idea of what your life's work may be. But it can be challenging to find them. They can cause us to lose sight of them because they are so deeply established in our thinking. Ask those who know you best if you are unsure of your passions. Without you realizing it, you're probably already chasing them somehow.

Maybe you serve as an informal mentor to young people in your neighborhood. If yes, you might be passionate about that. Consider your strengths as a tool to discover your passion. Someone who excels in assisting others in finding solutions to their difficulties may wish to consider a career as a coach.

 

7. Participate in a community

Being involved in a community can help one feel more connected to others, which is what it means to have a purpose. You'll find that many people share your interests, values, and passions once you've identified your mission. You can find that sense of connection with people while collaborating with them to achieve a common objective by joining or forming a community.

 

8. Spend time with inspiring people.

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, according to motivational speaker Jim Rohn. Spending time with people with a positive attitude and a sense of purpose will probably encourage you to do the same. They might even answer the question how to find your purpose in life.

Ask yourself who you choose to spend time with, looking beyond your coworkers and family. Examine those connections to ensure that you are surrounded by upbeat, aspirational people that encourage you.

 

9. Read

Reading fiction is one of the best methods to broaden your thought process. Books that are nonfiction are helpful for learning about specific topics. However, studies indicate that reading fiction might have more advantages.

Your empathy and critical and creative thinking will both improve after reading fiction. This is due to the fact that when you put yourself in a character's shoes, you picture how you would respond in that circumstance.

Reading fosters relationships with people from many eras, locations, and cultures. By doing this, you can develop a sense of connection that gives you a sense of meaning in life.

 

10. Assist a cause

Each of us is deeply committed to a cause. Perhaps social justice, animal welfare, or the environment are important to you. Many of the aforementioned suggestions come together when fighting for a cause, including:

• Giving back
• Becoming a member of a community
• Pursuing your passions 
• Surrounding yourself with motivational individuals

Perhaps you wish to generate money for a certain disease's research or provide green areas for inner-city kids. Whatever it may be, becoming engaged with a cause will increase your sense of purpose.

 

11. Practice accepting yourself

By acknowledging your limitations, you can be gentler to yourself when things don't go as planned. We all make errors, so try to look at each setback as an opportunity to learn rather than beating yourself up for them. You can improve your self-awareness and self-acceptance by practicing self-compassion. You're more likely to give your best effort in every circumstance when you accept who you are in all of your complexity. This could happen at work, with your family, or while engaging in your favorite activities.

This may result in a deeper sense of kinship with everyone and everything you accomplish, giving your life more significance.

 

12. Spend some time on yourself

Self-care can take many different forms, and only you can define what that means for you. Maybe you enjoy taking walks in the woods, practicing deep breathing, or writing about your challenging feelings in a notebook. Why, therefore, is self-care so crucial? Because our minds are most creative when they are comfortable. When you compete with yourself, you cannot accomplish anything or be of service to others.

Have you ever noticed that when you're in the shower, you have some of your best ideas? That's because when we let ideas come to us naturally rather than forcing them, our minds are more open and sensitive to them. When our thoughts are relaxed, we naturally think in creative ways.

 

Endnote

Every successful person has a clear purpose driving them. And if you don't discover yours, you'll keep moving through life on autopilot mode. You can get thrown off track, lost, and unsure of how to proceed or which direction is forward. Or, even if everything is going well, you might look back and wish you had used your time in a different way.

The key to leading a full life is recognizing, accepting, and honoring your mission. It calls for some bravery because it raises issues and concepts that might not be convenient. But it is worthwhile. Your sense of purpose gives you an internal compass that directs all of your choices and points you in the direction of life-affirming experiences. It might be challenging to identify your mission and link it to a fulfilling job. The supportive direction might be useful.

Ready to make a difference for yourself, your family and others? You’ll love our GOFINITY GoGetter Community and you’ll meet like-minded entrepreneurs who are ready to cheer on your success! We’re do-gooders and wellness & beauty lovers who have fun and get it done! Learn more about how becoming a GOFINITY consultant can help you achieve you grow.