Why are you here?
It’s one of the core questions of human existence, really, because without any purpose there’s no reason to live. Some people would frame this question as, “Why are WE here?”, but that’s really only motivating to philosophers. It really hits home when you make it personal.
By default, I suppose, I’m here because of the random circumstances of my birth and upbringing. But that only says how I ended up acting the way I do, not that there’s a reason for me to be here in the first place.
To answer that, I have to dig a lot deeper, into my spirituality. Different people describe this in different ways, and that’s fine. What I look for is something that is valuable, makes a difference, and is consistent with subtle signals I’ve noticed over my lifetime.
I’m not saying that your own purpose must be something which is thought of as being valued by others, perhaps it’s only of value to yourself. In my case, I find that my own purpose DOES connect with being valuable to others, making a difference in others’ lives. But that’s just me.
Why bother? This is a rather pointless touchy-feely exercise, right?
I’d say that it’s not pointless at all. A sense of purpose gives you:
- Energy and passion to do difficult things
- Fortitude through life’s difficulties
- Consistency over the long term, so you can achieve something significant
All of us need these things, and relying just on others is a recipe for disappointment.
To get a sense of your own purpose, spend some time pondering these Big Questions:
- Is there something larger than myself, and what guidance does that give me?
- Where have I shown skill, passion and consistency over my lifetime?
- What would I want people to say about me after I’m gone?
- Who are the people I most admire, and would want to emulate?
A great way to sort through these Big Questions is to journal on a daily basis – I’m a big fan of writing things down.
Start getting clear on your purpose: It’s going to make you much happier and focused.
And you might just change the world.
Carl Dierschow is a certified Organizational Leadership Coach and author of the career management guide, Mondays Stink! 23 Secrets to Rediscover Delight and Fulfillment in Your Work. He is a career coach for those going through interesting transitions, and works with leaders who are creating amazing teams. Find out more at www.Dierschow.com and www.PossibilitiesPartnership.com.
