Can understanding your purpose actually improve your life?

“Why am I here?” This is one of (if not the) biggest questions in life. The study of philosophy is evidence that for millennia, people have been asking themselves why they were put on this earth.

Today, talk of young people having “quarter-life crises” brings the topic of purpose into sharper focus. An article from The Independent released early this year reported the number one sign that a young adult is in crisis is their questioning life’s purpose.

Some people spend all of their lives trying to understand their purpose to no avail. And yet there are others who find their purpose and live their lives according to that purpose. How did they figure things out? How did they succeed in understanding their purpose?

One way to realize your purpose is by taking a pause to assess your current situation. Overthinking does a lot of damage, so every now and then we need to take breaks to organize our thoughts and put some things in your life into perspective.

Another way toward understanding your purpose is knowing what you love. What a person loves could be the very thing that defines their purpose. Perhaps that is the reason people in charity work and the religious sector are more likely to be dubbed as “people who found their purpose”—because what they do, they do for life. It takes love and commitment to do something for the rest of your life; hence, it would be easier if your purpose is in line with your passion.

Finally, you can find and understand your purpose by looking back at your past. By checking your past, you can discover clues you were not paying attention to before. For instance, you could have done something years ago that gave your life meaning. However, because of certain circumstances back then, you weren’t able to pursue it. Why not try it now? See whether doing that same thing in your current state of mind would make a difference.

Whatever the outcome your quest may bring, keep in mind that doing good is still one of the proven and tested methods in living a full and successful life. Understanding the power and purpose of men may be a futile task for some, but succeeding on your own terms is something you can absolutely do.

If you like topics like this, you can read more from my book, Daily Thoughts for Success. We can also exchange ideas if you connect with me through my Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads.

References:

Hosie, Rachel. 2017. “15 Signs You’re Having a Quarter-Life Crisis.” The Independent, January 2. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/quarter-life-crisis-mid-twenties-career-job-relationships-shopping-temping-taylor-swift-dating-a7502206.html

LaBier, Douglas. 2012. “5 Steps That Reveal Your Life’s Purpose.” Huffington Post, August 28. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/douglas-labier/life-purpose_b_1830154.html

Manson, Mark. 2014. “7 Strange Questions That Help You Find Your Life Purpose.” Mark Manson, September 18. Accessed September 5, 2017. https://markmanson.net/life-purpose