Why I Need To Know My Purpose
This morning I'm reflecting on how my life has changed since I defined my purpose. A touch of sadness that I didn't know it in my teens, 20's or 30's. Imagining what could have been. Overwhelmed with gratitude that I know now.
As a teenager and college student, I focused on learning.
Loved it. English and Political Science double major. 10 papers a week in college! Exploration, adventure, deep dives into research, challenging myself to think differently because it was fun.
NOW, I know that this is one of my purpose building blocks. I have an insatiable craving to learn about a wide variety of subjects - including every human I meet! Learning brings me joy and fuels my desire to engage fully in every day of life (and work).
Now that I have defined this word >> concept >> feeling - I learn with intention and confidence and awe.
Leaning in expands my purpose.
Back Then,
- I was teased for 'doing too much.'
- Based on my not so stellar SAT score, I thought I wasn't smart.
- I saw myself through the lens of other's eyes, and I assumed what they saw was 'meh.'
- Result: high grades, low confidence, low self-esteem, fear of failing beyond the classroom, low authenticity, trying a lot to be enough and exhausted by it
I had a sense then that learning was important to me. Evolving from a 'sense' to 🌟 KNOWING has changed my
mindset
attitude
how I show up to life and work
level of resilience
ability to deal with stress
🌟 It improves my
confidence
self-awareness
self-esteem
🌟 It fuels my
energy
JOY
ability to PLAY
🌟 It empowers me to
be authentic
make mistakes and admit them
fail without internalizing it
celebrate others and feel joy in their success
belong to myself
find the people who I truly belong with simply by being me, without any trying
Love of learning is just one component of my Purpose Equation. If you are interested, I'll share more.
Developing the Equation and defining my purpose has improved my life from the inside out. I share my story of knowing my purpose because it is now one of thousands.
WE, as humans, need to methodically know who we are to fully share our purpose with others.
The vagueness of this sense; "I like to help people" is a start, but it doesn't do justice to the unique complexity of who you are and why you are here. ✨
PS. I'm flawed, still learning, sometimes out of alignment, have weaknesses and all that stuff. AND, purpose helps me keep moving rather than being stuck in what lacks.
