The Importance of Finding Purpose and Passion in Life

People often mistake purpose as something that comes from their job, which leads to a loss of direction when they retire or lose their job.?I also experienced it when the war broke out in my wife’s native Ukraine.?It is important to understand that purpose comes from within, and it is not associated with a particular job or profession. It is essential to identify one's passion and work towards it to achieve fulfillment in life.

The Conflation of Job and Purpose

Many people associate their self-worth with their job, leading to confusion when they lose it. While a job can provide a sense of purpose, it is not the sole source of it. Purpose is something bigger and not restricted to a particular profession. People must learn to separate their job from their purpose to achieve true fulfillment in life.

Rules for Finding Purpose

I have drawn?up?five little rules that people can follow to find their passion and purpose.?Inspiration for these 5 little rules came from the many conversations with my wife.

Rule 1: Pursue What You Want

The first rule is to go after the things that you want. Many people tend to focus on the obstacles that prevent them from achieving their desires, leading to missed opportunities. It is essential to shift focus to the goal and find a way to work towards it without hindering others.

Rule 2: Take Accountability for Your Actions

Accountability is crucial in life. People must take responsibility for their actions and learn from their mistakes. It is essential to have a balanced equation of taking credit for the right things while also holding oneself accountable for the wrong ones.

Rule 3: Take Care of Each Other

People must learn to take care of each other, just like how the United States Navy Seals take care of their fellow team members. While the selection process for becoming a Seal is rigorous, the kind of people who do not make it are those who are only focused on themselves. It is essential to put the team's interests above individual interests to achieve a common goal.

Rule 4: Never Give Up

The fourth rule is to never give up, no matter how hard it gets. Obstacles are a part of life, but it is essential to persevere and work towards the goal without losing hope.?The past 5 years have made us specialists in rule #4.

Rule 5: Give Back to Society

The final rule is to give back to society. People must use their skills and talents to help others and make a positive impact in the world.

In conclusion, finding purpose and passion is crucial for achieving fulfillment in life. People must learn to separate their job from their purpose and work towards identifying their passion. By following the five little rules mentioned above, people can find their spark and bring it to life. Pursue what you want, take accountability for your actions, take care of each other, never give up, and give back to society.

Take it to the Next Level and Sign Up for One of Our Programs

My company Wisselbanck works together with the world’s largest banks, leading strategy consulting firms, top business schools and most influential industry though leaders to bring you a unique portfolio of executive programs. From?leadership?to?strategy, from?innovation?to?transformation, we help you and your organisation to flourish. Check out our open enrolment programs below, or contact us for a customised program for your organisation.

Morten Kriek is the founder of?Wisselbanck ??, co-founder of?The Banking 50, and holds a Masters Degree in Positive Leadership and Strategy from?IE Business School?in Madrid. He also completed on-campus executive programs at some of the world's leading business schools including?Columbia Business School,?Yale School of Management,?The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth?and?Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management. Morten is also a certified Positive Psychology Coach from the?Wholebeing Institute.