Find your purpose, the compass that helps you navigate life and create a life that feels complete.

The other day I was reminded of the importance of having a purpose. The past month had been busy, and I was so focused on getting everything done in time, that I had shifted to survival mode.

I couldn’t relax or recover properly, because my thoughts were racing 100 miles per hour and I constantly worried about everything I needed to do. I started to feel like an empty shell simply executing task after task.

And I hate that feeling. I hate it, when I feel like I’m drifting around without a clear direction and trying to survive day in and day out. I get frustrated because it feels so pointless, busting my butt off so I can barely cover my bills. And worst of all, it makes me feel like I’m slowly losing my soul and joy.

This feeling was a wake-up call. It was time to refocus and remind myself, why I was doing all of this. It was time to rediscover my purpose.

Let’s Break Down Purpose

People often overcomplicate purpose as if it’s the biggest mystery of life or a huge mission that needs to be accomplished. But in all simplicity, purpose means knowing why we do what we do.

As human beings, we have a set of needs that motivate our behavior. One of them is the need for self-fulfillment. This requires understanding one’s core values [why] and behaving in line with them [doing what we do].

When we act in line with our values, it creates a sense of meaning and alignment. It feels like everything is in harmony. It’s like floating on the river, letting the currents carry you to your destination.

Moreover, self-fulfillment is created by taking action toward one’s dreams and hopes. Through combining our skills and resources and learning to make our dream a reality. It’s like using the knowledge that dry wood floats on water, learning how to build a raft, and then floating with it down the river to your destination.

Fulfillment and meaning are often also drawn from being able to help others or our environment in the process. This means, that if you build a raft big enough and take your family or best friend along to your dream destination, it is more meaningful and fulfilling than doing it by yourself.

All in all, purpose is knowing your values and living life according to them, by combining your skills, growth, and contribution to make your dreams a reality. It’s living your life in alignment with your true self.

What Does This Mean In Real Life?

So, whether you are struggling with your tasks, feeling empty or lost, think about your why. Why are you doing all of this? What is the core value that is driving you? Or is it perhaps something that’s not aligned with your values and causing friction and discomfort?

The last one was me not so long ago. I had taken on a bunch of tasks and responsibilities that I thought I was supposed to do. It was like trying to row against the river currents, only to barely stay in the same place with a broken compass pointing in the wrong direction.

I had to fix my compass, to get back on track. I took some time to reflect on:

• What are my core values?
• What do I want to experience in life?
• How do I want to grow?
• How do I want to contribute?

Then I went through the tasks and responsibilities that I had taken on and asked myself: Is this taking me closer to my dream? If yes, perfect. If not, what can I do about it? [P.s. If you struggle with this check out this post: What to Do, or Not to Do?]

Last but not least, I took some time to find small ways to increase the amount of things that brought me meaning and fulfillment in my everyday life. For me, it meant reframing some of my tasks as a growth opportunity, prioritizing health and well-being, saying no to unnecessary overtime, and spending this time on building my dream instead.

After going through these steps, I noticed the spark I thought I had lost, reignite in my chest. I felt inspired, energized, and excited to work on my dream. I was no longer drifting around aimlessly, instead, I had a clear picture of where I was heading. With this new focus, the tasks and responsibilities didn’t feel so pointless after all.

Your Life, Your Purpose

I’m sharing this story with you today because I know there are many out there in a similar situation. Feeling lost, stuck, or unhappy with their life. Having the urge to do, experience, and grow more. Yet, they end up diminishing their dreams and potential, to fit into somebody else’s picture or to sit at someone else’s table.

It might seem impossible to escape the situation you’re in right now, but I can assure you it’s possible. It doesn’t require radical and big life changes, instead, it’s taking small but steady steps in the right direction. It requires assessing what’s taking you closer to your dream and what’s not, making adjustments along the way.

But before you start, check that your compass is pointing in the right direction. Understand what values drive you, discover the dreams and hopes that ignite that spark in your chest, and find your unique way of giving back to the world that makes you feel complete. Feel free to use the 4 questions from above to get you started.

Most people skip this part. This is why they keep fighting against the river currents or constantly hit rough waters. They paddle and paddle, with no sight of their destination and no clear direction. They end up lost somewhere deep in the jungle fighting for survival.

Purpose is anything and everything, that allows you to live according to your values, takes you closer to your dreams, and enables you to give back in a way that fits you. There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to purpose. Your purpose is as unique as you are. It is the compass that helps you navigate YOUR life on YOUR terms.

So, where does your compass lead you?

---