Having a sense of purpose in life has been linked to greater life satisfaction and increased health and longevity.* If you’re not certain of yours, It’s worth clarifying.
In an article by Mara Gordon, life purpose is defined as a “self-organizing life aim that stimulates goals”. She notes that it doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it has meaning for you. See if this helps.
UTILIZE YOUR INTERESTS AND GIFTS
We all have natural interests and gifts that guide what you do and the direction you take. Notice how they organize you and generate goals. It can come from artistic talent, wanting to help people, a social cause, being good at math or business, taking care of loved ones, developing a skill, or making a difference in any capacity. The elements of self-expression that define your path have a red thread of continuity from one experience to the next that help specify your life purpose.
MATCHES WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU
What’s important shifts during life, providing motivation toward your next goal, expanding your purpose. Just follow it – from starting a job, career, relationship, to mastering something – to find motivation. Even overcoming hardship develops your purpose, providing direction to move forward.
ALIGNS WITH YOUR AND OTHER’S GREATER GOOD
When you’re aligned with your greater good, your sense of self, you’re also aligned with other’s greater good. It’s a match for someone else’s needs. This is how you know you’re on the right path. It defines your purpose – helping others, bringing joy, making something better. Anything that is self-destructive or destructive to others you know is not in alignment.
GIVES YOU SATISFACTION
The litmus test to knowing your life purpose is your sense of satisfaction. Do you like the effort you make, the impact of your actions, does it give you a sense of pride and self-worth? Notice the thread of commonality between what you do. No matter how small or grand or the money, it’s about the effective use of self. When you like how you are moving in the world, and the impact you make, you have a life of purpose.
Are you living with a sense of purpose? If you want to explore this, reach out.
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NPR – What’s Your Purpose? Finding a Sense of Meaning in Life is Linked to Health, May 25, 2019, by Mara Gordon https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/25/726695968/whats-your-purpose-finding-a-sense-of-meaning-in-life-is-linked-to-health
