Purpose: to be or not to be?
Everyone knows the definition of “Purpose”, right? It is the reason for which anything is done, created or exists.
At a macro level, it is also something that we hardly spoke about in communities or the workplace a few years ago which started changing more and more, especially during and post-pandemic.
At a micro level, as per my observation, it is something that people tend to forget in their busy lives going with the flow from one thing to another. However, when something happens: e.g. sickness or loss of a loved one or another big difficulty, they really start asking themselves existential questions: what is the purpose of life? What is the real meaning? And they start doing the things that really give them meaning for a while until the busyness of life takes over again, sweeping under the carpet so many emotions that they have not processed yet.
As a person, I tend to be very reflective, and have always been intrigued by existential questions, focused on my inner world, my experiences, feelings and thoughts. So, personal development and self-exploration were part of me even in my childhood and teens. However, like everyone else, the busyness of life got me at school, at university, at work including all the stuff I need to do at home, trying to race with time, feeling like a hamster in a wheel…A lot of time I felt out of integrity and was not really sure how to change that feeling.
One thing led to another. I had different ups and downs in my life. Through the process of growing up, I did some work to determine my values and strengths and through a lot of self-discovery and participating in a workshop, I was able to continue that work and really discover my purpose. This does not mean that my life before that was without a purpose or meaningless, obviously. However, that sense of knowing my purpose was so empowering and it made me so resilient in any situation afterwards. It felt like something deep rooted inside me that absolutely no one can take away. I can change jobs, be made redundant or be criticized by someone. However, with my sense of purpose, I have my shield and protection and empower myself to act and be purposeful!
Another big advantage for me in discovering my purpose was that I became even more self-aware and conscious about what kind of things I wish to do in life and it serves me like a compass in my personal and professional life. It is also extremely liberating and the way I perceive it is not like a destination but as a guide, as something to align to: e.g. my purpose is not for example to be a coach or to do one particular thing in my life but to explore and help people to be connected to themselves so that they can find a place and state of comfort and ease. As such, one of the things this purpose manifests is to be a Leadership Coach, an Agile Coach, help organizations create a flourishing work environment. Another aspect could be to introduce NonViolent Communication to people in one way or another or give a workshop on empathy to kids. There is a more personal part to it as well: to be connected to myself and support my child as a parent by listening with empathy and helping her express her feelings etc.
Spoiler alert: Purpose is not something you have done once and there you go, you have discovered the hot water. 🙂 Sure, it feels groundbreaking but it is a flower with many leaves and it takes a lot of deliberate care to make it blossom and re-blossom day in and day out.
Why don`t you start your “Purpose” work today with the following questions?
When you were young: a child and/or a teenager, what brought you most joy and satisfaction? What were you passionate about? Picture and describe that experience.
In the last year, describe your most enjoyable, satisfying and energizing moment. What happened and how did it make you feel?
What gives you energy? What drains your energy?
What types of accomplishments are important to you?
Enjoy a life aligned with your purpose!
