TIPS ON IDENTIFYING YOUR WHY (PURPOSE)

When I was growing up, my dad always used to say that a person without a vision or purpose is like a ship without a radar. I still remember that lesson as it was engraved in my psyche right from my childhood.

Most of the people have been mentally programmed to focus on who, what, how while growing up. You don’t believe me? Here is the prime example of how and what mentality. Right from elementary school, we ask kids, what do you want to become when you grow up? We never ask how do you want to live your life? Due to this mindset, people’s title or profession or education or material possessions become their identity. What happens when they lose these things? They become depressed and unhappy. This is the mainstream mentality, or I call it herd mentality.

If you want to see another example of this herd mentality, go to the gyms on Jan 1st. Gyms are packed. There is barely any space to do the workout. Half of the people who sign up for a gym or any wellness program drop out by Feb end. Why? Because they do not know why they want to be healthy or fit? They are just following the herd mentality. Everyone makes resolutions on Jan 1st just to break them by Jan 31st. Do you know why these happen? Because people do not have a definiteness of purpose. They do not have a clear vision. They are just following the norm. People who do not have definiteness of purpose have higher chances of failure. People who lack clarity of vision, have lots of unfinished projects in their garage.

It is highly important in life to have definiteness of purpose. For example, if you play a game of basketball, will you ever be able to score any point if you never knew where the basket was? Exactly, I hope now you can understand why it is important to identify your purpose before you start focusing on how and what. A clear purpose will empower you to keep pushing forward regardless of obstacles. It will discipline you to work hard, stay focused and overcome challenges. It will help you to keep your eye on the prize. The purpose of this article is to give you a few tips to identify your why or help you have definiteness of purpose. You can apply these tips in any area of your life including finances, relationships, time management, health, and wellness.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to identify your why

1)     What makes you come alive?

When I am asking this question, I do not mean movies or parties. The answer must be above the superficial things. The answer to this question is about your dreams and aspirations. I am not talking about dreams which you have when you are sleeping. I am talking about your dreams which you are passionate about. Dreams which bring a sparkle in your eyes. Dreams which fire you up.

2)     If you had 10 million dollars but just 5 years to live, how would you live your life?

If the answer to this question is different than what you are currently doing, then you need to change the way you are living your life. You need to revisit your dreams.

3)     What are your strengths?

In The Element, Sir Ken Robinson says that our element is the point at which natural talent and skill meets personal passion. This is the point where people enjoy personal and professional fulfillment. Identify the things you are good at. As civil rights leader Howard Thurmon once wrote, “Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive, then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

4)     Take a notepad, make two columns and in the first column write down how do you currently live your life and what do you currently do on every day of the week starting from Monday to Sunday. In the second one, write down what do you aspire to do every single day of the week starting from Monday to Sunday. If both these columns match, you are living the life of your dreams but if they do not, Change what you are doing. Don’t live a life of quiet desperation.

5)     How will you measure the quality of your life?

While doing this exercise, rate your life on a scale of 1-10 where 10 is your dream life. Give ratings in all areas of life like finances, time, relationships, Profession, Fulfillment, physical health, emotional health, spiritual health. If your score is 10 or near to 10 you are living your dream life and nothing needs to be changed. If that is not true, then you need to reevaluate and change a few things.

6)     Last but not the least, how many times you have promised yourself that you will eat healthily or exercise regularly but then broke the promise. You procrastinate or just due to lack of self-discipline fall through the cracks. This happens because you have not identified why you want to be healthy. So, take some time out, sit at a quiet place, silence your mind and identify 5 reasons on why you would want to be healthy? They must be very close to your heart. Something which will fire you up. It can be something like, I want more energy so that I can enjoy life or I want to live pain-free or I want to age gracefully without any illness or I want to have energy and zest in life so that I can play with my kids and grandkids. Whatever your why is, just write it down and keep it always in front of you. This helps you to stay disciplined. Your emotional goals will help you overcome all the obstacles. Remember “ Procrastination is the assassination of your dreams”

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/financial-well-being-your-health-direct-correlation-kruti-thakore/

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/improve-quality-your-life-me-kruti-thakore/

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/leaders-biggest-asset-ability-change-kruti-thakore/

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/how-have-healthy-heart-kruti-thakore/

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/how-have-definiteness-purpose-kruti-thakore/

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/we-believe-achieve-kruti-thakore/