Whether you’re an established business owner, a career professional, or someone contemplating a new venture, the question of living your purpose is one that resonates deeply with many. Understanding your purpose will lead to greater fulfillment in both life and business. In this article, we’ll explore the steps you can take to identify your purpose, ensuring that your journey in your business or career is not just successful, but also deeply satisfying.
If you prefer video, I covered these 4 steps to finding your purpose here:
Purpose vs. Fulfillment: Understanding the Difference
Before diving into how to discover your purpose, I’d like to highlight how to differentiate between purpose and fulfillment.
Your life’s purpose can be thought of as the overarching reason for your existence—an end goal you’re continually working towards. Fulfillment, on the other hand, is a state of happiness and satisfaction that you can achieve in the present moment. Many people mistakenly believe that once they find their purpose, they will automatically feel fulfilled. Fulfillment, however, is about finding joy and gratitude in the present, which can in turn, guide you towards your true purpose.
The Importance of Finding Fulfillment in the Present-Moment
To experience fulfillment right now, you can focus on being present and cultivating gratitude. Happiness is created by your thoughts and mindset and by appreciating your current circumstances, you open yourself up to new ideas and intuitive leads for the future. This doesn’t mean you should stop striving for your goals; rather, it means you’ll find your purpose more swiftly when you’re content and present in the present.
Misconceptions About Purpose
There are two common misconceptions about purpose:
- Your missteps aren’t actually misaligned: Understand that your current situation, whether or not it aligns with your perceived purpose, is part of your journey. Every experience contributes to your growth and prepares you for future opportunities. Embrace your unique path and avoid comparing it to others.
- Purpose doesn’t stay the same over time: Your purpose can change as you evolve. What may have been your purpose years ago might differ from your current one. For example, raising children or running a business in the past might have been your purpose, but now, you might find new avenues that excite and fulfill you.
Steps to Discovering Your Purpose
If you’re unsure about your purpose or are questioning your current path, here are four steps to help you discover it:
- Tune into your intuition: Reflect on what truly excites and interests you. Your purpose should light you up. Listen to your inner voice and consider activities or goals that bring you joy. Often, we already know what excites us, but fear of change holds us back. Recognize that your brain is wired to resist change, so differentiate between genuine misalignment and fear-based resistance.
- Take action without a need to be perfect: Don’t overthink or strive for perfection. Your purpose won’t be fully formed from the start. Begin by following intuitive nudges, exploring new areas, and being open to learning. Action leads to clarity, so embrace curiosity and fun in your exploration without pressuring yourself to have all the answers immediately.
- Stay flexible and adaptable: Continuously review and tweak your plans based on new insights and experiences. As you take action, new information will come to light, guiding you further. Stay committed to your end goal of finding what lights you up, but be flexible with the process. Adjust your direction as necessary, without feeling locked into one path.
- Separate purpose from income: Your purpose doesn’t have to be tied to your income. You might find that your purpose lies in activities that don’t directly pay the bills, and that’s okay. Your purpose should light you up and impact others positively. Whether through your career or personal passions, focus on how you can contribute to others’ lives in a meaningful way.
Purpose in Business
In business, aligning with your purpose can create traction and amplify the impact you are able to make. For instance, being purpose-driven can make you more magnetic as a leader, drawing in opportunities and fostering a thriving business environment. Whether you’re leading a team, serving customers, or innovating in your field, living your purpose elevates your business to new heights.
Discovering Purpose is a Journey
Discovering your purpose in your career or business is a journey that requires introspection, action, and flexibility. Embrace the present moment, listen to your intuition, take imperfect action, and remain adaptable. Remember, your purpose is unique to you, and every experience contributes to your growth. As you align with your purpose, you’ll find that fulfillment and success naturally follow.
