Having a life purpose provides you with direction. Without one, you may feel lost.
Have you ever had a feeling of being lost as you wondered through your day? You wake up, get dressed, make breakfast, and walk out the door to go to work. The day starts the same as any other, and it goes nowhere different fast!
At work, you mindlessly complete your tasks before going home to eat dinner, watch tv, and fall asleep so that you can do it all again the next day. Does the same pattern repeat itself over and over again?
Did you consciously choose this life? Probably not. More than likely, it grabbed you and hasn’t let go. And I wouldn’t be surprised if you are wondering how to escape.
Well, you do not need to escape. You only need to give your life a direction, and it is as simple as defining your life’s purpose.
What is a Life Purpose
The definition of a life purpose is fairly obvious. The term is self-defining. It simply means having a purpose for your life. What is difficult, though, because of life’s tendency to pull us in several directions, is defining your purpose and using it as the ultimate compass for every action you take or every decision you make. It is best to set your intention early and make it as secure as possible, so life cannot grab you and pull you in opposing directions.
If you are in your late teens or your early twenties, start defining your purpose now. Think of it like compound interest. The earlier you invest, the longer the investment has to work to grow your principle. It is the same for your life purpose. The earlier you begin working towards it, the more you can accomplish.
But don’t let age hold you back. If you are older, like I am, defining a life purpose can bring meaning and greater enjoyment to your life.
Now, let’s take a closer look at what we mean by life purpose.
Characteristics of a Strong Life Purpose
For a life purpose to provide enough meaning to change the direction of your life and give you joy and fulfillment, it must be strong enough to make a difference. It cannot be internal to yourself, such as looking a certain way, weighing so much, or becoming wealthy, though Warren Buffet may disagree. It should be beyond yourself, such as an art, or helping others, or changing the world for the better.
By its nature, it will not be a short-term goal, such as working at the food pantry once a month for a year. Even though it will define short-term goals, it has to be lengthier and more extensive in scope than any short-term objective. It may never come to an end, such as feeding all hungry people in the world or providing clean drinking water to everyone.
And, it must be meaningful to you. Someone else cannot define it for you. You have to determine it, own it, and be committed to it. It must be yours.
Let’s take a look at a few examples.
Examples
“… is to create an online voice for autism to educate parents, teachers, and patients about the latest developments and coping strategies.”
“… build awesome custom bikes that win mountain bike and speed competitions.”
“… design and build beautiful wood desks, elegant computer cabinets, and amazing dining tables.”
“Support what respects & enhances freedom.” -Nelson Mandela
“Allow humanity to propagate into the future by using better sources of energy.” — Elon Musk
“Fight cancer so that others won’t have to suffer from it.” — Terry Fox
“Make people reach their full potential, regardless of their past.” –Dr. Eric Thomas
As you can see, each of these statements defines a life purpose that is greater than the person, focused on a skill or a cause, and they are long-term endeavors. They guide each through the coarse of their life and give them a reason to wake up every morning and get busy.
So, if you feel you are being led instead of leading your life, define a life purpose, and get busy. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect. You can adjust it over time. I know I have.
If you are ready to create a life purpose statement, I outline a process to assist you in the second article of this series, Life Purpose: How to Define Yours.
Tags: Goals
Mark Masavage
I am a software designer and content creator at Innis.Fit, where I dedicate myself to combining my expertise in technology with my love for fitness. As a former high school athlete, my journey has taken me from the competitive fields of CrossFit and baseball to a broader mission of inspiring and enabling others to achieve their fitness goals. I also contribute extensively to our platform's content, sharing insights, tips, and personal experiences that resonate with our community. My commitment to fitness is a personal ethos, one that I live out daily, aiming to inspire those around me to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle.