There is something encouraging about a person who has a clear direction in life.

The goals they set, decisions they make, and values they hold revolve around a clear mission that offers them significance and engagement.

Their life has purpose and it shows.

Purpose helps us to establish meaning in life and relates to the goals we aspire to achieve. It is central to our lives and influences thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

It spurs our motivation and impacts the decisions we do or don’t make, and the influence we do or don’t have on the world.

What is your life purpose?

I know it’s a pretty astounding question, but it’s worth considering for some important reasons.

Research has begun to explore how having a purpose in life may relate to well-being and physical health.

Following your life purpose will strengthen your resolve and support your emotional well-being. It will energize you, fill you with optimism and hope, and offer you more moments of joy.

According to an article in the Review of General Psychology (2009), there are three dimensions of purpose; which includes scope, strength, and awareness.

These are three areas to help you understand and conceptualize your purpose in life.

The first area is how broad the scope of your purpose? Does your purpose encompass most areas of your life? Do you find that your purpose is often impacting the decisions you make?

Secondly, what is the strength of your purpose? How much influence does your purpose have over your thoughts, feelings, and actions?

Lastly, the awareness of your purpose is a factor to consider. Would you be able to articulate your purpose and clearly explain what your purpose is? Do you understand what your purpose is?

In general, if you have a broad, strong purpose it will have a larger impact on your health and well-being, and most likely, with a broad, strong purpose you also have awareness of and understand what your purpose is.

If you don’t have clarity on this topic yet, here are a few suggestions for finding your purpose.

Elements to find greater purpose

Self-identity – Develop greater awareness about who you are. Focus on personal exploration related to your interests, skills, talents, background, and values. What are your accomplishments, strengths, weaknesses, and goals? This can give you some direction toward a passionate purpose.

Self-efficacy – Do you believe you can achieve what you set out to achieve? This is ultimately comes down to self-trust. The confidence to pursue meaningful goals and the belief that we will be successful and persevere. Where in your life do feel this confidence? Consider past accomplishments and moments where you felt proud of yourself. Believe in yourself and your purpose.

Metacognition – This is the awareness of your thinking processes. Being aware of the self-talk has major implications on our motivation, confidence, problem-solving, and attitude. The way you think about things can give you insight into what sparks your passion, fills you with energy, and prompts the pursuit of meaningful goals.

Service – How can you contribute to society? Finding significance and purpose comes from uncovering a mission and vision for the legacy you will leave. Explore how you can make a difference and start taking opportunities to serve others. Use your talents and gifts to make the people in your life better.

Being aligned with a purpose will help you stay more resilient in difficult times, and lead to more purposeful and intentional behavior; behavior that is healthier and in support of your purpose.

Begin your journey to a purpose filled life.

Photo credit: DVIDSHUB

Reference

McKnight, P. E. & Kashdan, T. B. (2009). Purpose in Life as a System That Creates and Sustains Health and Well-Being: An Integrative, Testable Theory. Review of General Psychology, 13 (3), 242-251.

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    Last reviewed: 5 Jan 2012