Finding Purpose in life is key to wellbeing. People with a sense of purpose are likely to pursue goals which are aligned with their personal values. They have a strong identity and take ownership of the decisions they make. They are more content and satisfied with life.
We lose our sense of purpose when we find ourselves going through life without a sense of meaning. As individuals we all have unique identities which relate to aspects of our character, personality and values.
We can lose our sense of purpose as we go through life when the situations and circumstances we find ourselves start to reshape us as individuals, especially in a way that’s not consistent with our personal values. This is especially noticeable when we try to seek approval from others. When we lose our individual identity, we also lose our purpose.
We rediscover or develop our purpose by developing a better sense of identity and developing our self-awareness. We develop a better sense of purpose when we have a better understanding of our personal values and an awareness of the things that are unique to us and drive us as individuals. Below are strategies that can help us rediscover our sense of purpose:
- Identifying our personal values
Personal values act as a guide in making choices. When faced with difficult decisions, our values help us determine the right course of action based on what we believe is most important. Personal values act as a compass in making choices. When faced with difficult decisions, our values help us determine the right course of action based on what we believe is most important. We happier when we make decisions that are consistent with our values and that ultimately will feed into a positive sense of purpose.
- Finding meaning through work
Work gives us meaning in life and it’s important that the type of job we have is something that is meaningful as well as purposeful for us. Going for a job that is not aligned to all values and personal dispositions can have negative consequences for our wellbeing, whereas when we seek out opportunities that are aligned with our unique interests, we are more likely to find fulfillment and satisfaction, which contribute to a positive sense of purpose.
- Developing hobbies
Having activities outside of work is key to having meaning and purpose. Hobbies also contribute towards a positive work-life balance. When choosing hobbies it’s important to balance them out as a mix of social as well as personal hobbies. Social hobbies are those that we would do alongside other people whilst personal activities are those that we would do on our own.
- Having a good social network
Having a social network is also important for our sense of purpose. We develop and maintain our social networks through family and friends. It helps to cultivate a network that is aligned to our values and interests.
- Having meaningful routine
Having a meaningful day to day routine is also key to achieving a positive sense of purpose. We get our routine from work, hobbies and social engagement. We can lean to develop our routine by being intentional in how we plan our day when we are in work as well as when are not in work. To learn about developing routine, check out our guide.