How To Discover Your Purpose In Life

When I first stumbled upon this technique I was sceptical. I began the exercise with a negative mind but I was completely shocked by how I felt when I discovered my purpose in life. When I say purpose in life, I’m not talking about your getting your dream job or your family. I’m taking about discovering who you really are and why you’re here; it’s the key to happiness. Whether you believe you have a purpose in life it matters not but it might take a little longer – stick with it.

What makes you happy

To discover your true purpose in life you first you need to clear your head. You need to rid yourself of any social conditioning, random thoughts and limiting beliefs. Now you’re ready to discover your purpose in life, lets get started.

1. Go to a quite Place, alone with no distractions. Open up a word document (or do it the old fashioned way with pen and paper – that eliminates becoming distracted by the internet)
2. Entitle it, ‘My True purpose in Life’
3. Write whatever comes to mind. It doesn’t matter if it’s a complete sentence, it doesn’t matter if it makes no sense -just write. Creative writers use a similar technique to counter writer’s block – just keep writing and the words will flow
4. Keep going until you hit something which hits you so strongly you know you’ve got it

You may feel, after what seems like millions of useless words, like quitting – keep going and it will come soon. If it annoys you, or you need it, take a break – this could really help you gather your thoughts. Keep tying again and again. If you hit a wall and feel it is going nowhere – you can push through and eventually the feelings of pointlessness will disappeared.

Some of your answers may make hit you slightly – you’re nearly there! Keep going until your true purpose in life is shining back at you from the page.  Your purpose in life is also known as a personal mission statement.

Ask yourself deep questions

Ok, so you’re a tough cookie. No worries. Try asking yourself these questions:

What makes me feel great?
What makes me smile?
What are my favourite things?
Who inspires me?
What are my skills?
What do I regret in life?

Consider the answers – write them down if you have to.

Choose your action words

accomplish, assist, build, create, educate,  empower, encourage, improve, help, give, guide, inspire, integrate, master, motivate, nurture, organize, produce, promote, travel, spread, share, satisfy, understand, teach, write.

Which of these words really hit home? Write them down. Can you relate any of these words to your answers? Do your answers contain any of the words which you feel strongly about?

Write a 3 part mission statement

What you want to do?
Who you want to help?
What is the result?

For example, here is mine:

To create and spread knowledge which will inspire people to fulfil their dreams, make lots of friends and have thier perfect career.

Writing down your personal mission statement or purpose in life helps to reinforce them allowing your mind to process the information and guide you to happiness.