Have you felt it before?

That deep sadness over losing someone or something you love?

Maybe it was a breakup or divorce.

Maybe it was a devastating job loss.

Maybe someone you care about dearly has departed this short thing we call life.

Life isn’t always fair, and it’s often hard.

We’ve all gone through hardships in the past, are going through struggles right now, or will be in the future.

It’s a part of life.

It helps to have gratitude and the ability to look at the bright side of life, even when it’s throwing its worst at you. But for many, that’s not enough, and the pain can drive you down a dark and dreary path that can be, at times, hard to come out of.

Some stay in depression, some crawl out only to end up back at rock-bottom at the drop of a hat, and some drown their anger, hurt, and sorrow in drugs and alcohol to cope.

And yet others develop resilience and focus on (re) building out of the ashes. And they start to focus on (something I talk about a lot) personal growth. 

And for me, it helped me to start a journey to find and refine my purpose in life.

It reminds me of a quote I heard…

 

Sometimes Life Takes Something You Want to Give You Something You Need

I heard it on the Tim Ferriss podcast some time ago (but cannot find who originally said it). And it’s always stuck with me because there’s so much truth. I, like most reading this, have suffered a significant loss that has changed me.

And like most, I struggled to come out the other end clean.

The worst was a nasty breakup with someone who I thought I would be with forever.

I moved to Hawaii, and a few months later, she was to follow – only instead – she broke up with me.

And as hard as it was, and as down as it got me, I eventually realized that I had become someone that wasn’t enjoying life. Someone who wasn’t living the life I wanted to live. Someone who wasn’t having fun anymore. And that was even before our relationship.

How did that happen? I just stayed comfortable and stopped living my life.

And oddly, that breakup led (and is still leading) to so much more that’s amazing in my life – that may have never happened if IT had never happened.

I became the man I’ve always wanted to become.

And that’s what I want for you, too.

 

How to Find Purpose in Your Life

Finding purpose in your life isn’t always easy, and it can take years and years – and that’s for those searching. Some don’t even search and never find a purpose, leading to regrets and general unhappiness throughout their lives.

Many people say that your purpose in life is at the intersection of your passions and strengths.

Said a different way:

1. What’s something that you love to do so much that time seems to disappear? Maybe it’s a hobby or a passion of yours. Or maybe it used to be.
2. What’s something you’re skilled at?

Now marry them up – what do you come up with?

The marriage isn’t always obvious when it comes to how you can do it for a living, but be creative. 

We live in a world now where damn near anything is possible:

• We have people making millions from YouTube channels about toys and reaction videos to new music.
• Fantasy football is a billion-dollar industry.
• Podcasts about show replays are enormous hits.

Just remember, it may take time, but start going for your purpose.

 

10 Tips for Finding Your Purpose in Life

We can all use a little help, especially with something as deep – yet critical – as finding your purpose.

And it IS critical because so many fail to find it or even really try. And most will look back on their life later with regret that they didn’t do more, that they didn’t live with passion – that they never found their purpose.

So, here are a few tips to help you find your purpose in life.

If you have a little time, it helps to grab a pen, a notepad, and journal some of these answers. Brainstorm and think hard.

1. What Makes You Come Alive?

What is it you do that makes you come alive? 

That makes you lose track of time?

That makes you feel like a kid again?

Speaking of kids…

2. What did The Kid In You Used to Do?

What did you used to do as a kid that you miss dearly?

How can you recapture that? 

Is it something you can work with today?

3. Take Time for Yourself

We’re so driven by society and others, and along the way, we stand in line like everyone else. Unfortunately, in doing that, we often don’t take the time we need to figure out what we want to do in this life.

If that’s you, don’t worry, most of us have been there (if we’re not now).

But know this – even if you’re 40 and figuring this stuff out right now – it’s never too late.

There are far too many who go their entire lives without figuring it out. 

4. Cultivate Gratitude

Gratitude is one of the most overlooked traits you can have.

Being able to look at the bright side of life and see all the little things each day that make you happy and make this an amazing life is, unfortunately, far too rare.

And while it may not seem like much, if you live in gratitude and grace; if you are thankful and always helpful; if you give even when you don’t expect to receive – luck, happiness, and success will find you back.

You will begin to find what you want and need.

5. Listen to What Others Appreciate About You

Not sure what you’re skilled at? Don’t laugh – many aren’t exactly sure what they’re good at. 

Ask around. What do coworkers, friends, family, or even strangers say you’re good at?

What do they appreciate about you?

Maybe it’s something as good as listening. Or perhaps you’re an influential leader, and you just don’t know it yet.

6. What’s Your Story?

What’s your story? Think back as far as you want to go.

What do you miss?

What were the good times?

The great?

What were the bad times?

This all comes together to form who you are today. And it can help you find what you need to find. It can help you find a calling with what you want to do in life.

7. Imagine What You Would Do if You Weren’t Afraid

What if you weren’t afraid? 

What would you do?

This is a fantastic exercise when you’re thinking about doing anything in life.

Take the fear away – would you do it?

Then maybe that’s your answer, anyway.

Get out there and do something that gives you fear.

Fear is often a guiding principle that people too often take the wrong way. They get back in their comfort zone because fear pops up when people start taking steps outside of it, and into their growth zone. 

But that’s more than likely exactly what you should do.

8. What if You Had One Year to Live?

Grim? Sure. 

But so damn helpful.

If you knew you were going to die in a year from today – what would you do?

Would you do that thing that’s been on your mind for a while now? That you can’t quite let go?

That thing that you always put off because “there’s always tomorrow”?

What if tomorrow never comes?

9. Look At Your Past Regrets

Often, a good and harsh look at our past regrets can be difficult.

But it can also be precisely what you need to reflect on to figure out what you need in this life.

A missed opportunity. A chance never taken. A dream never fulfilled.

Which regrets hurt\ because of your desire to do it you never pursued?

Maybe it’s time you dug it up and started.

10. Be Creative

Remember, a good gauge for your purpose (not necessarily for everyone) is the intersection of your passion and skills.

But sometimes, even if you have some ideas figured out, you have to be creative in combining them.

If you love football, but you’re 40 and can’t just hop on a professional football field, what else can you do with football?

Maybe you’re excellent in front of a camera? Could you be a commentator? Perhaps a coach? Maybe start an NFL podcast?

It doesn’t have to be a career right away. It can lead to a fun hobby or even a side-hustle.

Just live with purpose and passion, and take action on those, and the rest will follow.

 

Purpose Quotes to Motivate You

Who doesn’t love a good quote?

So I’ve compiled a few of my favorites about purpose.

So without further ado, here are some Purpose Quotes:

Note: Don’t forget to read the closing, below, for my final thoughts on how you can keep working to find (and pursue) your purpose.

“Live the Life of Your Dreams: Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose instead of the expectations and opinions of others.”

― Roy T. Bennett,

 

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”

― Friedrich Nietzsche

 

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

“If you have a strong purpose in life, you don’t have to be pushed. Your passion will drive you there.”

― Roy T. Bennett

 

“If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I am living for, in detail, ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for.”

― Thomas Merton

 

“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”

― Shannon Alder

 

“It doesn’t matter what you did or where you were…it matters where you are and what you’re doing. Get out there! Sing the song in your heart and NEVER let anyone shut you up!!”

― Steve Maraboli

 

“The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving.”

― Johann wolfgang von Goethe

Live Your Life with Passion and Purpose

Finding purpose in your life isn’t always easy…

So many of us are stuck in a rut, burned out, just unhappy, or feel as though we’re sleepwalking through life.

So many of us long for the days of old when it seems we had more fun, and life wasn’t just about stress and bills.

And so many of us look back on our lives with regret because we didn’t pursue opportunities we had or things we loved.

But it’s never too late.

Look within and feel that fire once again. Don’t let it dim. We are meant to burn bright!

So read through the steps above, and work to figure out your purpose.

Figure out what will light you up.

Remember, your purpose doesn’t have to be a career right away; it can be something done for fun or a side-hustle.

It’s about having fun, enjoying life, and fulfilling your purpose.

Once you start doing it, enjoying it, and it lights you up, you never know what can happen.

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes:

Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

~Howard Thurman

Now go come alive. Putting it off becomes perpetual. 

Take uncomfortable action and get that momentum going in the right direction.

The time to come alive is now.