Have you ever thought about what your purpose on earth is? It is a very thought provoking question that I dare say the majority of people have not taken the time to consider. But what if you did think about it? Could it change the way you live your life? Could knowing your life purpose actually impact your career? I propose that thinking through and determining your life purpose could dramatically change how you see your career. When there is purpose these is meaning to work. Your career is no longer about having a “successful” job but a job that fulfills your mission.
In thinking through your life purpose, here are some helpful questions to ask your self. 1) What things have I done that have brought me a deep sense of well being? 2) What are my essential beliefs or values? 3) How have I best been able to put these beliefs or values into actions? 4) What gift do I have to offer others? 5) What do I want to be remembered for? Take time for personal reflection. Other helpful activities might be to keep a journal and/or to interview others.
There are many different ways to articulate a life purpose. Marcia Bench in her book, Career Coaching, advocates writing the statement like “My life’s purpose is to ________ through ______________”. An example of this form is “My life purpose is to positively influence children in the world by working as a teacher and through my roles as a loving parent and volunteer. It really doesn’t matter how you choose to write the statement, only that you have the essence of it down on paper.
After your life purpose is developed, it can be used as a guide in decision making for both simple and complex matters. When you have options to consider, ask yourself which option will take you closer to fulfilling your purpose. Develop goals that will help you complete your mission. Above all, let your purpose be your theme to center your life around.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
