Life Purpose, Intentions, and Goals: Creating a Fulfilling Life
A common idea in the personal development space is that you will live a happier, more fulfilled life if you are aligned with your life purpose. I generally agree, but I believe our life purpose is a blend of something to be discovered and something to be created. While I don’t have all the answers, I’d like to share my observations from my journey and my work with clients.
The Influence of Childhood and Culture
Your childhood and cultural background shape you immensely. A metaphor my mentor uses is that we’re spirits put into human body suits, inheriting the beliefs and values of our surroundings to survive and thrive. Growing up in your family and culture sets the context for what you think is possible and desirable.
For instance, today’s common intention to influence others on a large scale—as a social media influencer, social entrepreneur, or political leader—would have been inconceivable 200 years ago, when most people lived in small villages. Even the concept of having a life purpose is relatively new.
Example:
Reflect on your career aspirations. If you grew up in a family where academic achievement was highly valued, you might be driven to pursue advanced degrees and professional success. Conversely, if creativity and self-expression were encouraged, you might find yourself drawn to artistic or entrepreneurial pursuits. Recognising how your upbringing influences your goals can help you align them with your true desires.
Unconscious Drivers
Part of your life purpose comes from unconscious drives. Many people aspire to greater success or certain relationships due to the lack of such elements in their lives. Your mental and emotional struggles can drive you to seek their opposites; for instance, experiencing poverty might drive you to pursue wealth, and emotional neglect might inspire you to be more compassionate.
The gift of life comes when you recognise these unconscious drivers—such as culture, beliefs, and past struggles—detach from them, and consciously choose what you wish to pursue.
Example:
Consider the skills you’ve developed through your struggles. These can become your gifts. My challenges as a child helped me develop my gifts in learning and connection, which I now use to coach and guide others. What do you feel are your gifts?
Clarifying Intentions
Looking deeper into your intentions behind your goals helps clarify your life purpose or let go of meaningless goals. Many people initially think they want more financial wealth. While this is a worthwhile goal, it often stems from fear of not having enough or simply copying societal norms. Understanding the deeper reasons behind your goals can lead to more creative solutions or even changes in your goals.
Example:
Some realise they want higher income to provide better for their families, which gives them more motivation. Others find they can achieve family connection without extra income, sometimes by relocating for a better family life.
Character Development
We often underestimate the character development we gain from pursuing and creating a life purpose. The focus tends to be on the end goal and the imagined enjoyment of the result, rather than valuing the growth experienced along the journey.
As James Clear said, “Entrepreneurship is a personal growth engine disguised as a business pursuit.” This applies beyond entrepreneurship. Pursuing something bigger than what’s currently possible, that feels right for you, leads to personal growth and change.
Example:
Imagine you’ve taken on a challenging project at work that pushes you out of your comfort zone. While the goal might be to complete the project successfully, the real value lies in the skills and resilience you develop along the way. These character traits, such as perseverance and adaptability, not only help you in your current role but also prepare you for future challenges and opportunities.
Tips for Discovering and Creating Your Life Purpose
Here are a few things that have helped me on my path, which might help you too:
Permit Yourself to Explore: You are unique, and only you can understand and appreciate what matters to you. Don’t let others define your path.
Seek Guidance: Consider coaching, mentoring, or shadowing someone who inspires you. This firsthand experience can either reinforce your aspirations or help you choose a different path.
Create Your Way: Despite what influencers and gurus claim, there is no guaranteed formula for success. You need to add your unique elements to your journey.
Balance Reflection and Action: It takes wisdom and experience to know when to reflect and when to act. No one is ever 100% sure.
Foster Deep Relationships: Supportive relationships can make the difference between success and failure.
Why Life Purpose Matters
This is why it's important to pursue and create your life purpose. By understanding and aligning with your deeper intentions, you foster a sense of fulfilment and drive in both your professional and personal life. This holistic approach not only leads to achieving your goals but also contributes to your overall happiness and growth.
What steps can you take today to explore and align with your life purpose? Reflect on these ideas and consider integrating small changes into your daily routine. Leave a comment below with your thoughts or experiences.
For further insights or personalised guidance, feel free to email me at siva@mindsightnlp.com. Let's work together to discover and create your unique path to fulfilment.