I believe each of us has a unique life purpose. Given that no one else on Earth possesses your exact combination of experiences and characteristics, it stands to reason that you have a distinct value to offer—one that no one else can provide. This unique contribution is your life purpose, intimately connected to who you are.
I started my career as an estate-planning attorney, guiding the wealthy in managing their legacies and minimizing taxes. While death and taxes are often said to be the only certainties in life, I believe life and purpose are equally inevitable.
Discussing money and death can be taboo, but even more challenging is talking about life's meaning or one's purpose. I consider finding and fulfilling one’s life purpose to be of utmost importance. This belief led me to shift from estate planning to building a business focused on helping people discover their life purpose and create a life aligned with it. Through years of reflection and inquiry, I’ve learned the following about life purpose:
Life Purpose Is Broader Than Specific Problems or CircumstancesYour life purpose extends beyond solving a particular problem or being defined by a specific circumstance. For example, while finding a cure for cancer is a monumental achievement, it is not the entirety of one's life purpose. The same applies to careers like being a doctor or scientist; these roles are vehicles for fulfilling a broader life purpose. Understanding this distinction helps in adapting to changing life circumstances without losing sight of your deeper purpose.
Life Purpose Is a Journey, Not a DestinationLife purpose isn’t something you can define definitively today or fully accomplish within your lifetime. It becomes clearer in retrospect, once your life has concluded. To pursue your purpose, work with the pieces of the puzzle you have, and follow the clues life provides. The journey is ongoing, and each lesson learned contributes to understanding your purpose better.
Play to Your StrengthsFocus on your inherent talents and abilities. Develop these natural strengths into skills through study and practice. While learning new things is valuable, your unique strengths are often integral to fulfilling your life purpose.
Pursue Your PassionsImmersion in your passions is essential for living your life purpose. If you’re engaged in activities that don’t ignite your enthusiasm, you’re unlikely to perform at your best. Your purpose should align with what excites you, ensuring that you’re not only effective but also fulfilled.
Seek What Makes You HappyTrue fulfillment comes from pursuing activities that bring joy and satisfaction. If you feel unhappy or incomplete, you may not be aligned with your purpose. Happiness, as outlined in Positive Psychology's PERMA model, encompasses positive feelings, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishments, all of which are enhanced by living your purpose.
Go Where You’re NeededOpportunities often reveal where you’re most needed. While you can’t choose where you’re needed, you can align your talents, skills, and passions with available opportunities. Sometimes, creating your own opportunities involves persistent effort and initiative, but you must be ready to act when a door opens.
Focus on What You Can ControlThe only thing you can truly control is yourself. Despite your best efforts, you can’t control outcomes. Instead, concentrate on cultivating your abilities, acting with integrity, and striving for continual self-improvement. The path to living your purpose involves dedication and good intentions.
Embrace Your CreativityCreativity is about originality and value. You possess a unique perspective that contributes to the world. Embrace your innate creativity, not just in artistic forms but in how you approach and solve problems. Cultivating your talents and passions will naturally lead to creative expressions.
Listen to Your MuseYour life purpose, like creative ideas, isn’t something you choose—it emerges from within. Pay attention to your inner inspiration, or "muse," which guides you toward fulfilling your purpose. When inspiration strikes, acknowledge and act upon it, as these moments can be crucial in your journey.
In summary, discovering and fulfilling your life purpose is a dynamic and evolving process. By understanding these principles and applying them, you can navigate your path with greater clarity and fulfillment.
