Living Your Purpose: Find Your Passion
Posted on December 23, 2011 by Dawn Greaney, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.
Why it’s important to find your purpose in life.
Finding Your Passion — I truly believe that we’ve all got that one thing that we’re meant to do in our lives. It’s usually something that we’re naturally really good at and/or really passionate about. Our inner being knows what that is and makes every attempt to guide us there. Much of the time though, our brains get in the way and we choose things for reasons we think are important at the time (mainly money, it seems). Years later, we realize that even with the money, or whatever prize we’ve attained by taking that path, we’re still not satisfied, fulfilled or happy. But now we’re trapped because we need that money to support our lifestyles.
Why it’s important to find your purpose:
1.) Because when you settle for something less than your dreams, your inner being does not; and that creates separation from your inner being. Separation from your inner being, or who you really are, causes all sorts of conflict, which leads to anger, depression, frustration, excessive drinking, overeating, etc. Drugs and relationships can’t cure you at this point, and unless you figure out who you are and what you would rather be doing, you’re less likely to be happy.
2.) When you’re living your life’s purpose, the hard times become valuable resources that give you wisdom and inspiration to fulfill your purpose, instead of things that knock you down. I’m sure we’ve all been on both sides of that coin. When we’re struggling and unhappy, the difficult situations in life tend to completely throw us for a loop and we walk away with evidence for why life sucks. But we’ve also been in the zone where things are going gangbusters and we experience difficulties with an understanding that there are positive lessons to be learned from them. Struggle creates some of the most profound growth.3.) Consequences of not finding your purpose are chronic, lingering dissatisfaction and the inability to find inner peace. I read that recently and I can see it in so many people around me. Chronic dissatisfaction is as dangerous in the long term as chronic inflammation is. Disease is the typical outcome. When you have no purpose, your ego is what’s running the show. And you will never be happy because your ego depends on external things that are beyond your control.
4.) You’re can’t achieve (or maintain) success when you’re doing something you’re not happy with. I spent at least the first decade at my last job completely enjoying it, taking on more and more responsibility and injecting myself into conversations about how to better specific aspects of the organization. It didn’t feel like work to me and I didn’t mind being stretched in opposite directions almost constantly. Towards the end of my time there, I lost my passion for the industry. I often went in and did just the minimum of what was required of me. I no longer had the energy or interest to involve myself deeper than necessary, and I avoided giving suggestions and ideas that would add more work to my plate. There’s no way I could create any more success for myself in that mode. Recognizing that immediately is key to getting yourself back on the path of success.
5.) The universe needs that amazingly unique talent that only you possess. The world needs your best you. It’s more important than ever to contribute to the world with your whole self, your happy and inspired self. But too many of us have nothing to contribute except resistance, complaining and skepticism.
www.dawngreaney.com
