How can you use your sense of purpose to overcome stress?

For me, the IKIGAI framework is the best definition if purpose - What you love to do - What the world needs - What you're good at - What they pay you for The intersection of all four is the best definition of purpose! Sometimes we are taken in by one of the other but putting all four in focus allows for the definition of purpose that is anchored and sustainable!

Stress is an inevitable part of life. Consider it like our heart, or our lungs ...we need it for survival. Yes, it's that important! It's an early warning signal from our central nervous system that something might be wrong, inside us or externally in the environment. But we have a culture where its painted as the villain? I consider stress as a best friend. Because when 'listened' to it can become an internal compass. Moving us away from the many unimportant distractions & stressors in life, that only 'feel' dangerous. And back towards the things that matter to us the most ...our goals and life purpose. Use the emotions and that inner sense of 'knowingness' to guide us too. Because the brain is 'smart' and follows our instructions.

While having a sense of personal purpose is key to wellbeing, self-esteem and long-term life satisfaction, the pressure to come up with a powerful and eloquently crafted purpose statement is often overwhelming and disorientating. For this reason, I think it is helpful to differentiate between “little p purpose” and “Big P purpose”. Your purpose doesn’t have to be newsworthy or designed to change the world (the Big P stuff). It can be about a quiet sense of being needed by others, or knowing that you make a positive difference in other people’s life. Maybe it’s about doing the best you can, every day, to role-model key values and ideals that are deeply meaningful to you. Little p purpose matters and is likely to be as unique as you are.

If you have a deep false belief about yourself, stuck in your subconscious, defining your purpose will not give result. Why? Because you’ll self-sabotage. You may have a clear purpose combined with clear values, ideas and a strong drive but it will not manifest if the ingrained deep fear, which created the false belief in the first place, doesn’t get release! It’s my little grain of salt after helping people for the past 30 years move from a stressful way of living to a soulful state of being!??

It is always important when you feel lost and confused to go back to your why. Whether that relates to your work or your personal life. Our daily purpose is like an anchor that keeps us moving forward. Be clear on what your purpose is, and make sure it's personal and that it means something to you. A purpose is usually something that the world values and that you see personal value in.

It is so important to make a priority list each day of where you are going to put your energy and focus in. We only have a certain amount of energy to give at any one time, and aligning your actions with your daily purpose can ensure that you're clear about your direction for the day. This helps to limit unnecessary distractions that don't require your attention and that allow you to remain focused on your priorities.

How a person feels and thinks affects the choices a person makes. To align your actions with your purpose to overcome feeling stressed try to change your perspective (what I call "flip the switch" thinking) of a situation. Instead of thinking along the lines of "Ugh, Why do I have to go to this meeting/event?!" try changing thought to something like "What can I get from going to this meeting/event?" -- then the feeling changes from annoyance to curiosity.

In the dynamic world of IT solutions, where change is constant & challenges are manifold, aligning our actions with our sense of purpose can be the compass that guides us through turbulent waters. As the Head of Sales at Nexxt.ai, I have come to realize that this alignment is not just a philosophical concept but a practical approach to reduce stress, enhance well-being, and drive professional success. Helping Others Expressing Creativity Innovation and Excellence In essence, aligning actions with purpose is not a one-time endeavor but an ongoing practice. It requires self-awareness, introspection, and the courage to make choices that may not always be the easiest but are true to your purpose.

Becoming more mindful of everyday life supports a sense of purpose and living in alignment with it. Ask yourself before getting to bed: Did you make decisions aligned with your purpose? Did you live your truth? Ask yourself in the morning: How can I be the best version of myself today? How can I serve my purpose today?

Once you have found 3 things that you have been called to do, eliminate anything that is outside of these. We have so many distractions in our world, just stay focused.

It is so easy to get easily distracted and to continue doing things for other people, rather than focusing on your own needs. Spend at least 15 minutes a day writing down what your purpose is, and refine it if it no longer serves you or brings you joy. Evaluate at the end of each day how aligned your actions were to your purpose to see how focused you were able to be and what distractions you let in to your day.

In the ever-evolving world of IT solutions, where change is the only constant and challenges are a daily occurrence, reminding ourselves of our purpose is not just a luxury but a necessity. As the Head of Sales at Nexxt.ai, I've learned that regularly reconnecting with our purpose is a source of resilience, motivation, and a powerful antidote to stress. The third step in this journey is to make purpose a constant presence in our lives, and there are several effective ways to do just that: Personal Mission Statement Vision Board Mantra Daily Reflection Stress Response By reminding ourselves of our purpose regularly, we not only maintain a positive outlook but also deepen our connection to our work and our goals.

On your to-do list include a to-don't list. Keep the main things the main things. Is it writing? Then write. Is it learning a new habit? Then practice.

Purpose is your guiding star. If you don't stop to look at the sky your boat may move away and you will be stressed to bring it back. Hence - keep relooking/reminding

Having a clear sense of purpose can be a game-changer when it comes to managing stress. Knowing our ‘why’ can act as an anchor and help us weather difficult times. Our ‘why’ can keep us focused on our goals and motivate us to push through challenges. Purpose can prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by stress, help us to create meaning and a sense of accomplishment and boost our resilience. The Japanese concept of Ikigai is a great model to consider your 'reason for being'. It includes looking at 4 key areas: What you love (passion) What you're good at (vocation) What the world needs (mission) What can be paid for (profession)

Being articulate about they Why, How and What and sharing stories about how this purpose manifests itself creates community awareness. Sharing failures that finally led to the discovery of one's purpose is a very key element in building trust with the community

Sharing one's sense of purpose with others is not only a powerful way to overcome stress but also a transformative act that can enrich our lives in countless ways. Here's a perspective on the importance and benefits of sharing your purpose with others: Fostering Authentic Connections Building a Support Network Inspiring Others Creating a Sense of Belonging Fostering Accountability Impact and Legacy Sharing my purpose also fosters a sense of belonging. When I connect with individuals who share my purpose or appreciate it, I find myself in a community of like-minded individuals. This sense of belonging combats feelings of isolation and loneliness, providing me with a strong support system that eases my stress.

Remember that your purpose is there primarily to fulfil you. Too often, people (including me for a long time) feel desperate about finding a purpose and base it on what others think they should be doing - however this just reinforces the false notion that you aren't already on purpose now. You have had a purpose of some kind since you were born. You are not finding your purpose so that you can be worthwhile, you are already worthwhile, and are really just making yourself consciously aware of the purpose you have always had. Rather than moving from a purposeless life to a purposeful one, you are simply making yourself aware of your unique purpose. You know when you have got it, because it truly fulfils you.

Sharing purpose is a great conversation starter. It can serve your purpose on higher levels as you may connect with others who share the same purpose. Eventually, you may end up creating a community of people driving by the very same purpose. Speaking about your purpose on platforms like LinkedIn may help other people and support others who are dealing with stress.

Once you have decided what your purpose is sharing it with others will help you to stay accountable to them. Not sharing it with anybody but sharing with those who have your back.

Sharing my sense of purpose has been a profound experience in my life. A few years ago, I decided to embark on a mission to raise awareness about environmental conservation & sustainable living. This had always been my passion, but I had kept it mostly to myself. It wasn't until I started openly sharing my purpose with others, I began to see the incredible impact it could have. I started by talking about my commitment to environmental conservation with friends and family. I explained how it was not just about recycling and reducing waste but about fundamentally changing the way we interact with the planet. To my surprise, some of my friends shared similar values, and we decided to create a small community dedicated to environmental action.

It is important to note that not all stress is bad. We, on occasion, experience stress or even anxiety that pushes us to accomplish tasks and work towards our purpose. If you ever wondered about the reason it feels good to tick off an item on that to do list, it is because you alleviate some of this stress. However, stress can also pile up as we acquire more responsibilities or as we procrastinate. Add the challenge of adjusting to major life events, stress can intensify and impact you physically and mentally. Get back on track by remembering the mission and completing small tasks one at a time. Purpose is that one thing that keeps gnawing at you and won’t let go. That thing that you have wanted to do for as long as you can remember.

Stress is not all bad. It can be a great motivator. When you feel the pressure just use that energy to motivate you rather than drain you. As you start to eliminate the stressors you become grateful that one more thing is done or out of the way. I try to always just use the stress I feel as a lesson learned not to procrastinate and to appreciate my resilience and ability to move forward when I think there is no way foreword.

I find there is truth to the statement, "we are our own worst enemy ." It's important to practice self -compassion. In the practice of yoga, we call this, ahimsa - non-harming. We can set our intention each day to support and act on our purpose, however , we are imperfect and may veer off our path. We can acknowledge it, allow it, and gently return to pur purpose. Self-criticism can sabotage our efforts, especially if it is very harsh. This can lead to discouragement and worse, abandoning our purpose altogether.

On a personal level, I have shared on this platform my passion and purpose for speaking about dyslexia in a positive sense. As a dyslexic, I don't believe beating myself up is helpful just because many people have the idea dyslexia means being stupid. I believe dyslexia is a feature, not a limitation. Many dyslexics have been successful and invented things we take for granted these days. Sharing my positive take has made me feel better about myself and without doubt helped other fellow dyslexics to feel better about themselves.