How do you find your purpose? I got several notes over the last week asking me about how can serving leaders find their purpose. I have found most successful serving leaders have found their purpose in life. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t change over a lifetime.
Several years ago I was asked to speak on this topic at a leadership program for a nonprofit client. Here’s the process I shared to help serving leaders clarify their purpose.
I’ve always believed that purpose transcends personal and professional boundaries. Have someone you trust ask you these questions. Make sure the person asking you gives you enough time to think and respond. Have them ask additional questions to help them clarify your answers.
When I coach people, I record the session. Its takes a couple of hours and they can review the recording afterward. There are no right or wrong answers. Your answers will help you clarify what you enjoy in life. Don’t try to be perfect, focus on being present in the moment. Your purpose should bring you joy.
I’ve noticed many of the people I work with are struggling to find meaning in their work. Their roles are changing, they question if they still want to continue doing what they do.
They still want to have the flexibility to create their future. In many cases, they are struggling because they were successful, not because they weren’t. Invariably the conversation moves to how can they find their purpose. How do you reinvent yourself in these rapidly changing times?
I believe finding your purpose is the basis to creating a lasting leadership legacy for your life.
Today, I’ll share several questions to help you identify certain qualities that help make you who you are. I can tell you from my experience that people who engage their purpose live longer, more fulfilling lives. I can’t think of any successful leaders I’ve known who haven’t tapped into their purpose to help create a more fulfilling life.
These questions help you identify your purpose more clearly. Don’t judge yourself, try to answer truthfully, and feel free to dream big. Now, let’s get started in helping you identify your purpose and possibilities.
- What things in your life excite you? If you were asked to create a movie or video, what topic would you choose to share with the world?
- When you’re in a bookstore, what books and magazines do you read, and buy? What magazines do you subscribe to? What kind of articles and blogs do you find interesting?
- What topics would you write about if you had time to write? What topics do you enjoy doing more research on? Who might you know that could help you better understand these issues?
- What topics are you curious about? What types of books do you enjoy reading and sharing with others?
- Where do you contribute your time and money when you are not at work? Why do these causes get your attention?
- Who do you enjoy spending time with? What qualities do these people share? How did you discover these people? Where would you find more people like these?
- What ideas move you? How much do you know about them? If you had time, would you be willing to learn more about these ideas?
- What topics do you have a deeper understanding about? Is it knowledge or wisdom that you seek?
- If you had an extra $1,000,000 and could give it to any issue, cause, or problem, where would you invest your money? Why?
- If you could meet anyone and have lunch together, who would it be? What would you discuss at lunch with this person?
- What would you do if you didn’t have to worry about being compensated for it? What have you always wanted to do? What have you done to do this thing?
- Are there any causes you feel strongly about? Would you invest the rest of your life to help make sure that these causes get the attention that they need?
Did these questions start you thinking about your purpose? Are you willing to stop thinking and begin to embrace your life again?
Would you like to learn more about purpose and your passion? You might enjoy Where does your passion intersect with purpose?
Be here next week and we begin to help you connect the dots so you can live the life of your dreams. As you start looking for your purpose, you will be amazed how things begin to show up around you.
See you next week.