Finding your WHY?
Navigating the journey toward discovering your true purpose can feel daunting, especially when faced with doubts about your current situation. It’s easy to get caught up in fears about what could go wrong—whether you’re too old, too broke, or too entrenched in your current path. However, finding your purpose and aligning your life with it requires a willingness to see things from new perspectives and make bold changes.
In this blog, we'll explore how to keep your momentum going as you embark on a path to self-discovery and growth. By examining how others have reinvented themselves, and applying practical strategies to broaden your perspective, you can gain the insight needed to move forward with confidence.
Find your spark
What makes you come alive?
There isn't a single path to discovering your life's purpose, but there are numerous ways to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and a broader perspective on what you can contribute to the world. The word "inspire" originates from the Latin term meaning "to breathe life into," which is fitting because when you're pursuing something that truly inspires you and ignites your passion, it makes you feel alive.
So, what are the topics and subjects that you could discuss endlessly? What ignites that fire within you? What will propel you to new heights, into something greater than you are now?
This doesn't mean you need to declare today that you'll be the next Steve Jobs or Oprah Winfrey; rather, it's about beginning to connect with a cause that's bigger than yourself but still aligned with what you care about.
“He who has a why can endure any how.” - Frederick Nietzsche
Body talk
Pay attention to what your body is telling you
When people are in their element, they not only become more productive but also bring greater value to their environment and the projects they’re working on. So, how do you know if you’re in your element? You'll recognize it by a spark of excitement within you—you might find yourself sitting up straighter or even leaning forward in your seat.
This feeling might arise during an engaging conversation, while listening to a captivating lecture or podcast, or when you’re deeply engrossed in a topic that fascinates you. This sense of excitement likely happens more often than you realize, and it’s important to take notice when it does!
If you’re struggling to recall the last time you felt truly "alive," try exposing yourself to more books, TV shows, documentaries, articles, podcasts, and movies that might ignite your curiosity and excitement. Pay attention to the patterns and connect the dots—identify the common threads that excite you, and start incorporating more of those things into your life.
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive, then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” - Howard Thurmon
Finding your innate strength
What can you do that others struggle with?
Can you recall a time when someone was struggling with something and asked for your help, and you quickly figured it out? Perhaps it was assembling furniture, finding the perfect outfit, or editing a research paper.
We all possess unique talents that make us stand out—each of us is gifted with different strengths. The challenge, however, often lies in identifying what those strengths are.
Take a moment to think about what you’ve always been naturally good at or something you find easy that others might struggle with. Can you see patterns in complex situations? Are you naturally creative, with a knack for coming up with out-of-the-box solutions? Maybe you're a natural rebel, skilled at spotting flaws in the status quo. Perhaps you enjoy diving into details, excelling at tasks others might find tedious. Or maybe you're a big-picture thinker, comfortable with the visionary ideas that many avoid.
“Build upon your strengths, and your weaknesses will gradually take care of themselves.” -Joyce C. Lock
Finding true fulfillment
What fills your cup?
There are often things you’re good at but don’t enjoy doing. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re completing tasks but dreading the work, it may be time for a change.
Once you've identified your strengths and how you can add the most value through them, you can start focusing on opportunities, roles, and career paths that bring you the greatest sense of fulfillment.
f you reframe the idea of adding value as solving problems, you can better determine where your unique skills are most effective. What types of problems do you excel at solving? What situations can you navigate without stress? What issues ignite your passion?
The best way to contribute to society is by doing something that makes you feel good.
“If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right to your purpose.” - Bishop T.D. Jakes
Take a stand
How will you measure your life?
People who don’t stand for something are more likely to fall for anything. Deciding how to measure your life's successes involves taking a stand for a set of values and purpose, then living your life in alignment with them.
Living with purpose means focusing on what matters most. Pursuing your biggest dreams and goals can feel challenging, especially when obligations like loans, family, and responsibilities seem to get in the way. However, you can start moving toward where you want to be by changing the way you think about the work you’re doing now.
Consider how your current experience can serve as a stepping stone for your next career move. Reflect on the meaning you can derive from your daily activities to help shape your next step toward growth. Regardless of your job, you can find meaning in it and discover your greater purpose by focusing on how you approach what you do. Only then can you truly gauge whether you’re on the right path.
“Great minds have purposes; others have wishes.” - Washington Irving
Brush it off
Sometimes you just have to walk away
As you carve out a new path for yourself, you'll find that growth naturally brings change. You'll start shedding old habits and, unfortunately, sometimes that means leaving toxic people behind as well.
Those who are unwilling to support your journey toward self-improvement and may even work against your efforts to pursue your purpose aren't worth your time and energy.
As you move away from a life that holds you back, change becomes inevitable. When you encounter people who can’t or won’t evolve with you, it’s time to let go and move forward without them.
This mindset of saying “okay then” and moving on can also apply to negative feedback and critics who may voice their disapproval of your work. Remember, if you’re passionate and your work fills you with purpose, you must keep forging ahead.
“One of the most courageous decisions you’ll ever make is to finally let go of what is hurting your heart and soul.” - Brigitte Nicole
It’s never too late
There are a million reasons to say no, and give up
When thinking about the future, it's easy to get bogged down by thoughts of what could go wrong or reasons not to move forward. You might think you're too old, too broke, too far along the path you’re already on, and wonder where to even begin. These doubts have likely crossed your mind.
However, there’s a powerful reason to take the leap and dive into the unknown: Nothing feels as rewarding as becoming who you were meant to be.
Consider Vera Wang, who was a figure skater and journalist before entering the fashion industry at age 40. Samuel L. Jackson didn’t land a lead role until he was 43. Julia Child worked in advertising and media before writing her first cookbook at 50, launching her career as a celebrity chef. Arnold Schwarzenegger made two major career shifts, first from professional bodybuilder to actor, and then to Governor of California at 56. Martha Stewart was a full-time model before becoming a mother at 25. With fewer modeling jobs, she became a Wall Street stockbroker, but it wasn’t until after 30 that she turned her passion for gourmet cooking and creative presentation into the empire that is Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.
These examples show that it's never too late to reinvent yourself and pursue what you’re truly passionate about.
“It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” - Marcus Aurelius
Finding your footing
Five small assignments for when you’re feeling like you’ve lost perspective
You've already shown that you're ready for change, but how do you keep that momentum going? These next five "assignments" will help you step back and broaden your perspective to better understand where you might fit in.
Look at old things in new ways:
When we focus on the same problem for too long, we can lose the ability to solve it. Choose an object in the room without overthinking it. Got one? Now spend three minutes brainstorming different ways to use or present it.
Play reporter:
Find someone who does something you don’t quite understand, whether it's an unusual hobby, like collecting stamps, or a career that's unfamiliar to you. Spend time talking to them about what they do—ask questions and discover what they love about it.
Tell a story:
When you're stuck on a problem, tell your story out loud to a friend, then ask them to describe the situation back to you. Hearing it from another perspective might reveal faulty logic or open up new possibilities.
What would ____ do?:
Think of someone you respect—a child with a clear sense of right and wrong, a celebrity, or a family member. Consider how they would approach the problem or situation you're facing.
What if you COULD?:
Finish this sentence: "I can't ______." Now, cross out "can't" and imagine you can. How would your life change if you could do that thing? Try living for a day, a few days, or a week as if you could achieve it.
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” - Oprah Winfrey
As you take these steps toward change, remember that embracing new viewpoints and experimenting with different approaches will help you uncover where you truly fit in. Whether it’s looking at old problems in fresh ways, engaging with people who have different experiences, or simply imagining what you could achieve if barriers were removed, each exercise is a chance to align more closely with your purpose.
By continuously challenging yourself to see beyond the familiar and embracing the possibility of transformation, you’ll find that nothing compares to the fulfillment of becoming who you’re truly meant to be. Stay focused on what ignites your passion, and keep forging ahead—your journey is worth every step.
If you're not feeling your best, we are here to support you. Let's schedule a time to chat and explore how we can collaborate on a plan to help you feel better. Your well-being is important, and together, we can work towards finding strategies and solutions that align with your needs and goals.
