What is your purpose?
Dr Lizzy Bernthal
Supporting businesses & their Directors to be empowered, resilient, confident leaders | Transforming Boardroom Dynamics so no body armour is required! | 25-Years Army to Lt Col
Our purpose is the fundamental driving force that gives our life meaning and direction.
Your purpose becomes the narrative thread that others can follow, understand, and remember.
Defining your purpose is not merely an exercise in self-reflection….
It’s a vital process that shapes your journey and influences how you'll be remembered.?
Your purpose guides your actions, aligns your goals, and fuels your passion.?
In this newsletter, I explore the significance of defining your purpose, the steps to discover it, and the ways to ensure that it contributes to a meaningful legacy that I shall discuss in my newsletter next week!
The Significance of Defining Your Purpose
Why Our Purpose Matters
Your purpose is the compass that directs your life’s course.?
Without a clear purpose, it’s easy to drift through life, responding to circumstances rather than actively shaping your destiny.?
A well-defined purpose provides clarity and focus, helping you make decisions that are aligned with your true self.?
It’s like a train track that keeps us in check.
It motivates us to overcome challenges, persist through difficulties, rise with resilience and remain committed to our goals.
Moreover, having a purpose is intrinsically linked to fulfilment and happiness.?
Studies have shown that individuals who have a clear sense of purpose tend to lead more satisfying lives.?
They are more resilient, more engaged in their work, and more connected to others.?
This sense of fulfilment doesn’t just enhance your own life.....
It reverberates through your interactions, influencing and inspiring those around you.
Discovering Your Purpose?
Self-Reflection and Awareness
Discovering your purpose begins with self-reflection and awareness.?
It requires you to look inward and understand what truly matters to you.?
Start by asking yourself fundamental questions:
Explore your Ikigai?
?? What do I love?
?? What am I good at?
?Often this is our genius and our hidden gifts and talents that we don’t value because it’s so easy!??
?? What does the world need?
?? What can I get paid for?
Once you have hit the sweet spot in the middle……
You’ll feel you are never working again….
A pipe dream ???
I thought the same….
Until……
I found my purpose to end workplace toxicity!
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Seeking Feedback
While self-reflection is crucial, gaining insights from others can also be valuable. Seek feedback from friends, family, colleagues, and mentors.?
They can provide an external perspective on your strengths, values, and the impact you have on them. Sometimes, others can see patterns and qualities in you that you might overlook.
Experimentation and Exploration
Purpose is not always discovered in a moment of epiphany; it often emerges through experimentation and exploration.?
Engage in different activities, volunteer for causes, take on new challenges, and be open to new experiences.?
Each of these can provide clues about your purpose.?
Pay attention to what resonates with you and brings a sense of fulfilment.
Crafting Your Purpose Statement
Once you have gathered insights through reflection, feedback, and exploration, it’s time to craft your purpose statement. This statement should encapsulate your core values, passions, strengths, and desired impact. It should be clear, concise, and inspiring. Here are some tips for crafting your purpose statement:
Living Your Purpose
Aligning Your Goals
Living your purpose requires aligning your goals and actions with your purpose statement. Break down your purpose into actionable steps and set short-term and long-term goals that reflect it.?
Regularly review these goals to ensure they are still aligned with your evolving understanding of your purpose.
Overcoming Challenges
Living a purposeful life is not without its challenges. There will be obstacles, setbacks, and moments of doubt. During these times, revisit your purpose statement to remind yourself of why you started. Stay resilient and adaptable, and remember that challenges are opportunities for growth.
Building Relationships
Your purpose often intersects with the lives of others. Building and nurturing relationships is crucial in living your purpose. Surround yourself with people who support and share your vision. Collaborate, network, and mentor others. These relationships can amplify your impact and enrich your journey.
Reflecting and Adapting
Your purpose is not static; it can evolve as you grow and as circumstances change. Regular reflection is essential to ensure that you are still aligned with your true self. Be open to adapting your purpose statement as needed, allowing it to grow with you.
Conclusion
Defining your purpose is the foundation of your legacy.?
It’s what drives you, gives your life meaning, and shapes the impact you leave on the world.
You can discover your purpose by engaging in self-reflection, seeking feedback, experimenting, and crafting a clear purpose statement,.?
Living your purpose requires aligning your goals, overcoming challenges, building relationships, and reflecting regularly.?
What is yours??
Share your thoughts and experiences!
Take care
Lizzy x
#resilience #leadership #confidence #purpose
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At Release Your Potential we help leaders embrace their resilience, confident leadership so that they can communicate with impact, influence, power and purpose to build high performing teams. Let’s speak!
Earn Online, Empower Others, Elevate Together | Speaker | Author | Mentor
8 个月I truly agree that everyone needs to know their purpose in life and their values and live according to them.
Empowering entrepreneurs to achieve their goals ?? Our proven framework drives sales, streamlines operations, and frees up your time, so you can focus on scaling your business while we take care of the rest.
8 个月This is a really insightful article. One of the best books I have read is Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life
I help students & professionals to find purpose & direction in life with proven coaching programs that actually work. Award winning lecturer| Author| Jack Canfield Certified Trainer-Success Principles Life Coach| Speaker
8 个月What a thought provoking and inspirational post. I like how the post highlights the crucial role of defining your purpose, providing clear steps to discover it and emphasising its impact on personal fulfilment. Great piece Lizzy.
Helping Leaders & Sales Professionals accelerate their businesses | Best Selling Author & Award Winning Business Leader working with amazing clients committed to growth.
8 个月Dr Lizzy Bernthal I often get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to take a step back and consider my bigger purpose. Your point about overcoming challenges resonated - a strong purpose can definitely be a guiding light.
Driving Performance Sales and Coaching for Unparalleled Success | Transformative Leadership in Sales and Professional Development |Top Voice EMEA Thinkers360
8 个月As you have shown, we can start asking questions to uncover what our purpose is. It does take time to clarify what it is and then it is important that we think about what drives us to our core values that can be found within us.