My nephew is one year away from having to choose what Academic Program he wants to study in College. In a discussion with him, I asked him which program he was going to choose. He looked at me and replied, “I have no idea”. It was stressing him that he soon had to figure out what he was going to do for the rest of his life. How can he determine what his Life’s Purpose was? I can still remember being in his exact shoes over 25 years ago. In fact, this sentiment stayed with me even throughout College and later University. It wasn’t even school that led me to what would be my career but the job I held to pay for school. I ended up falling in love with the idea of leading a team and my management career commenced.
I reassured my nephew that he shouldn’t put too much pressure on himself. There are people who search almost all their lives for their “life purpose”. In fact, the mission of finding out what you are meant to do can add a lot of pressure that you don’t need.
I believe that part of the problem stems from thinking that the purpose of life is measured by your social status, your career or your accumulated wealth. What I would like to propose is maybe our purpose has nothing to do with what we do for a living. Your “life’s purpose” gives the impression that it is something predetermined. Maybe it is not the “one thing” that you were meant to do. Maybe it is not something that you need to figure out, but something that you get to create from scratch.
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt
Purpose does not have to be specific or grand. It does not even have to equal one thing. It can be a series of things that help you fulfill your potential, whatever that may be. Instead of the pressure of finding your life’s purpose, find something to live for. Find and spend time on your passions, commit to your personal philosophy and making a positive difference in whichever area you can. Instead of figuring out what you were meant to do, focus on who you are and who you want to be.
Whether you agree or not, I would love to read your thoughts.
Our lives can get pretty hectic and it can be easy to get lost in our actions. When we are so focused on what is ahead, we forget to pause, reflect and find ways to energize our minds. These 5-minute motivation posts are meant to give you that recharge. The goal is to give you a 5-minute Vitamin for your mind through quotes, posts and videos. It is also meant to challenge your thinking and inspire you to take action.