Almost every coach out there, including me, is telling you to find your purpose and follow it. But what is this purpose we’re talking about? It seems that there are many different answers for that, including:
- What you were meant to do for a living
- Who you were meant to be
- Why some deity put you on this Earth
The only one of the three above I can agree with is “who you were meant to be”. I don’t believe we were put on this Earth by the Abrahamic God (just in case you haven’t noticed, I’m a heathen and very open about it) and purpose is a lot more than what you do for a living, although many choose to define it as such. My own explanation of purpose would be “what drives you” or “what makes you tick”. This includes your:
- Self-Image
- Self-Confidence
- Stubbornness
- Ambition
- Ethics
- Beliefs
- Taste
- Sense of Humor
- Interests
- Passions
- The ones you love
In short; all that makes you the one you are, and all that makes life worth living. It’s everything you are, and all of that point toward something pretty specific. There’s a red thread through it all, a sign telling you who and what you truly are. This sign might not say “hairdresser” or “pop star”, but there are enough clues in there to make the goal a lot clearer. The goal I speak of is your personal goal. Maybe you love creating things, so you’ve created a family, a home and the next goal on your list is to recreate your livelihood. For you this might mean selling art, it might also mean graphic design, a crochet business, or maybe you’re happy in a factory setting, as long as you’re creating something.
The answer is different for all of us. I know that I personally prefer earning my livelihood as an entrepreneur, helping other people find their red thread, selling my art, offering readings and other services. But I know that’s not the answer for everyone. Sometimes we aren’t clear about our red thread and need some help getting to a place of clarity. That’s where I come in. I’ve spent many years looking for, and following my own red thread, and now I want to help you find and follow yours.
My purpose is to help enough people where I’m content that I’ve helped as many as I can.
I dislike people telling me that I must charge for doing this or gain a sale from handing out that… etc. I do because I can, not because there’s a dollar figure tacked onto it at every turn.
When you’re comfortable enough in your skin that you can do for others without the need to want/need anything in return – you’ve filled your life’s purpose.
That’s a great stand to take. There are so many people out there trying to tell us what to do, plus the how and why.
So interesting you raise this point Linda. I was talking about this with my husband at breakfast yesterday. And our conversation started with me saying how annoying it is to see “how worried” all the online business coaches are about my wellbeing and me finding my purpose in life, or how they’ll share free content with me “just because they want me to succeed”. It’s just so inauthentic! These people don’t know the color of my eyes for pete’s sake. Yes, I believe business coaches mean well and are honest individuals, but I just don’t like the fake message and that is enough to hit the “exit” button.
I have a business and I want it to succeed and I know it will continue to grow as long as I provide the best service possible and do my homework. When I search for professional help from a business coach I’m looking for systems, I’m looking for more experienced input, I’m not looking for motivation or for my “purpose” in life. Well, that’s my 2 cents! Hope this helps.
I’ve come to expect some measure of this from business coaches, but only as a starting point. When it comes to my own area, it’s a lot more important I think. But not in the sense of a job, business or success. It’s more about feeling strong, confident and good about yourself and your everyday life.
I loved your definition of purpose: “all that makes you the one you are, and all that makes life worth living”. I like to do a lot of different things, but I really love gathering information, sharing what I learn, help other people and two topics: fashion and architecture. So I guess I’m on the right track 😉
It sounds like you are 🙂 I’m a bit on an info-holic and hoarder. I need something new to learn all the time, and I hoard info like a pack rat.
Linda, I agree with your definition of purpose. I also define it as who you were meant to be. That may include what you do (e.g. how you make a living), but it’s so much more than that. Personally, I see the “what drives you” stuff as separate, yet connected.
I love when people agree with me 😀
How deeply connected those aspects are will probably vary from person to person.