Discovering Your Life Purpose

We each have a special and unique purpose for our lives chosen before we were born. We need to learn how to access that information. Do this at a time when you are not distracted to give it your full attention. Have paper and pen in front of you to do the exercises below. Write answers to every question. Be patient with yourself in learning your Life Purpose. Give it time to unfold.

“Everyone has been made for some particular work and the desire for that work has been put in his (or her) heart.”  Rumi

Why is it important to know your Life Purpose? Because our lives seem empty and meaningless without it. A sense of purpose will give you more energy, more wealth, better relationships, and it provides the fuel to propel your life into being. Get clear on what you want out of life and then go after it until you get the desired results. Invest in yourself first. Relax, find work you enjoy and put your effort into that.

What is your life purpose? It should be tied to work you do, health, money, lifestyle and relationships. It is a calling, mission or overall theme in your life. What service are you here to render? Does it involve people or the earth? We are here to discover as much of our larger self as we can.

For my husband, Michael Robison, part of his Life Purpose is to grow giant pumpkins. It gives him joy. He loves planting, watering, smelling, pruning, fertilizing and sitting with his pumpkins.

How much does it weigh? Stay tuned!

So, come. . . Let’s play. . .

Finding your Life Purpose

Which teachers have you had in the past that have brought you lessons (good or bad)? What were the lessons? You will experience success in your life to the extent that you are clear about your life’s purpose. It should be fun, playful and exciting.

What things get you excited? What things do you do for fun when time goes by unnoticed?

Our life’s purpose should be energizing. Work should be like play giving you more energy after a time, not less. It is completely unique to you. No one else can fulfill your purpose. Finding it will make you a unique gift/contribution to the planet, but it requires a 100% commitment from you.

TEN Clues to help you discover your Life’s Purpose.

Note: Don’t consider other people’s feelings when doing this exercise. Be selfish. Take 5 minutes/clue. Assume money and time is not a concern in this exercise.

1. What do you love to do when you have spare time?
2. What parts of your present job or life’s activities do you thoroughly enjoy? Why did you choose jobs in the past? What about them did you enjoy?
3. What do you naturally do well? What comes to you easily?
4. Name 10 greatest successes to date in YOUR eyes. It could be simple or great. Also tell what you felt made it a success. Benefits to others or self.
5. Are there causes or issues in which you feel passionate about? What are they and what is it about the cause you are attracted to?
6. What are the 10 most important lessons you have learned in your life. What are the 10 most important beliefs in your life? Include pivotal experiences in your life.
7. Are there some issues/problems that have occurred over and over again? If there were a theme for your life, how would you describe it? These key issues/problems often are the key things we came to develop in this lifetime. Hint: Look for the blessing or gift in the lesson.
8. What do you dream or daydream about doing? Why?
9. Write your eulogy. What would you like to be remembered for in your life? What would you do differently if you only had 6 months to live?  What are you waiting for to make these things happen?
10. What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

Now, look over your responses. Are there some similar responses, trends or themes in several categories?

Now list your top 10 favorite activities or accomplishments from all those you have written down.

Which ones give you the greatest joy and satisfaction?

The two key questions that need to be answered are:

• What is fun for you? and
• What matters most to you? Now write a sentence or two summarizing your Purpose as you now know it.

Follow the subtle urgings of your heart and take action on them. Be open to recognizing your purpose. Is there a dream you’ve imagined coming true many times in your life but you have not acted to make it come true? If there were a way to make your dream come true right now, how would you do it? What would the steps be?

Cultivate the ability to listen to your inner voice. This is your higher wisdom. Start to follow what you really want to do not what you should do. If you pay attention to your first impressions, you will experience much greater peace in your life.

What are you doing in your life to put up roadblocks? Do your friends empower you or drag you down? Make changes in that area if necessary. Do you do things for your health that helps you carry out your purpose? Is the way you spend your money helping you to carry out your life purpose?

Reevaluate each decision you make and measure it against your life purpose. If you are making choices that won’t bring you closer to it then redirect your thinking. You will be lead to make the changes that are appropriate at a pace that is comfortable to you if you are open to your inner voice and listen to it’s guidance. Meditation will help.

One exercise that helped pull these questions together for me was to clarify my Moving Towards Values and Moving Away Values. You may want to complete this exercise first or at a later time.

I’ve noticed that I love doing some projects just because they feed my Moving Towards Values. These projects feed me and they are my gift to the world.

Helpful Links and References for Discovering Your Life’ Purpose: