Step#1- Discovering Your Purpose
There is no such thing as a “small” job. Each function within
our society aids our detailed technical lifestyles and well
being. From a store clerk to a business executive, each position
is an intricate part of the matrix of our world. We rely on
these functions without even realizing their value or
contribution to our daily activity. Each person has there place
and each person has their purpose. The key is discovering and
taking the time to find out what exactly you are to contribute
to the world.
What is even more challenging is that often we are presented
with serving multiple roles in our lives besides just our
“purpose.” We are parents, workers, spouses, and children. All
of which demand time and effort from our daily lives. What is
important though is that we balance our time and our roles to
nurture our purpose and inner abilities. It takes time and
effort to discover your goals and ambitions, but it is a quest
that need not go unnoticed.
A common excuse for not nurturing our talents is that we are too
busy with other activities. When in actuality perhaps we have
over extended our time and resources. Take a moment to sit down
and note what in your life takes up your time. And then after
you make that list, make a column and mark what is a priority,
what really “has” to be done. Be sure to note how much personal
time you get outside from all your other responsibilities. Start
out small and see if you can allocate at least a half hour or an
hour of your time a day devoted to yourself without
interruptions. Use this time to evaluate the path of your life.
Are you doing what you want to be doing right now? If yes, what
could you do to further your progress? If no, what do you want
to do?
Use free thinking in your evaluation. Free thinking means there
are no limits. You can dream to be anything you want to be.
Think about what you would like to do whether you were paid or
not. Think about what makes you feel good as a person. Maybe you
like the arts or maybe you like to work outside. Compare your
aspirations with your current life situation. Are you close to
your goals or are you far away?
Once you have addressed your aspirations, make notes in a
special notebook dedicated to just you. It is great to see your
ideas take formation when they hit the paper and also it is a
great way to look at your progress on days where you may feel
there is none. Plus you will need a notebook for further steps
as well. Feel free to personalize this notebook and make it
attractive for yourself.
Don’t feel guilty for taking this special time for yourself.
Understand that your commitment to yourself will reflect off
onto others. By bettering yourself, you become better in all the
roles and commitments you hold. It is when we stop to listen to
our true selves and the nature of our lives that we are able to
create abundance in our environment and those around us. What
you are doing is investing in a personal foundation.
If you only have a half hour or an hour a day, make a list of
what you want to accomplish with that time. So once the clock
starts ticking you are ready to be productive and work on your
goals. Time management is good practice right from the
beginning. So when you do figure out what your purpose is, you
will be ready to use every minute you get efficiently.
Once you figure out where you want to go or what direction you
want to take in your life, then take the time to research…
research…research. Research is a crucial element of developing
your career strategy. Go to the library or do a search online
for the topic you are interested in pursuing. Find out what
tools you will need to start your purpose. Will you need
additional education or training? Will you need a business loan?
Or will you be using your own personal resources for the start
up? Don’t let money issues stop your progress. Remember
knowledge is the currency here. There are ways to accomplish
your purpose on little to no funds.
Remember real life purposes take real life work. Sure some
people get lucky, but often others have to really dedicate
themselves to their success. Have an open mind during this self
evaluation period and the rest will follow. Most importantly, be
patient with yourself the same way you would be patient with
another person. Secondly, perseverance is essential in the
formula for success. You have to be willing to make a serious
commitment from day one to yourself. Your ideas may change form
along the way, but at least you are continuing to reach towards
self fulfillment.
As a summary for this step’s exercise, write it down, take a pen
and paper and make a personal inventory of your ambitions or the
things that you are good at and enjoy. What do you feel passion
about? What would you want to do even if you didn’t get paid for
it? Second of all, be honest with yourself. Don’t feel ashamed
or guilty to recognize your talents… after all that’s what they
are there for, to be recognized. It’s up to you to release them
and share them with others. Make your purpose, your business.
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