Have you ever wondered what your life is really about? Or felt like you’re just going through the motions without a deeper sense of direction? If so, you’re not alone. Many, especially young individuals, struggle with finding a deeper purpose. Understanding your purpose and embracing authenticity can transform your life in ways you can’t imagine. GPS’s need a destination to fulfill their purpose, and so do you.
Being in the personal development space, we’re guiding countless people to navigate the challenges of discovering their life and purpose. This guide is here to help you take those first steps toward a more meaningful and authentic life.
Understanding the Concept of Purpose
What Does “Purpose” Really Mean?
Purpose isn’t some lofty, unattainable ideal. It’s about living in alignment with your passions, values, and strengths. For some, purpose may look like building a fulfilling career. For others, it’s creating art, volunteering, or even building strong, supportive relationships. This is the meaning we attach to our lives, why we believe we are here, and the meaning we attach to the things we do.
Think of purpose as your personal “why.” Why do you wake up every morning? Why do you put effort into the things you do?
Why Living Authentically Matters
Authenticity is the foundation of living a purposeful life. When we’re authentic, we live in harmony with our true selves rather than bending to societal expectations or external pressures.
We all know someone who is working hard to achieve things but doesn’t know the true meaning of why they are doing it. Most of the time it is to prove themselves to someone else. Or they may be seeking approval from their parents or somebody they look up to. This is where drive can stem from but this does not mean this is their purpose and the reason they’re put on this earth.
Life and Purpose: Steps to Discover Your Purpose
Reflect on Your Passions and Strengths
Start by asking yourself:
- What activities make me lose track of time?
- What do I feel excited to learn or talk about?
- What am I naturally good at?
Take some time to reconnect with childhood interests. Often, the things we’ve loved as kids point to the passions we’ve set aside in adulthood.
Identify Core Values
Your values are the principles that matter most to you. When your actions align with your values, you feel fulfilled. Take a moment to list what’s important to you. It could be creativity, community, honesty, or independence. At Permission Free Living we have our values on our website and these are the values that drive our future as a brand.
I once worked with an associate who felt stuck in their career and did not see what was holding them from moving forward. Through some coaching, we realized together that one of their core values was freedom, so working more hours and having to stay late was something they weren’t willing to do. So in order to align with that core value they needed to decide what they were willing to sacrifice now to have more freedom later or possibly switch careers to have more freedom of flexibility but may not have the opportunity to advance career-wise.
Listen to Your Intuition
Sometimes, your gut knows what your mind doesn’t. Intuition can be a powerful guide in uncovering your purpose. To strengthen your intuition, practice mindfulness through meditation or journaling. What you’re passionate about may be the key to finding what you should be dedicating your life to. The question to ask is, “What is something I am so passionate and excited about that I would do it for free?”
Life and Purpose: Overcoming Barriers to Authentic Living
Letting Go of External Expectations
Society often tells us what success should look like. However, following someone else’s definition of success can lead to frustration and burnout.
Think of the expectations you’re holding onto. Are they truly yours, or are they shaped by others? Learning to say no to external pressures is one of the most liberating steps toward authenticity.
Facing Challenges with Confidence
Discovering your purpose isn’t always smooth sailing. Doubts and setbacks are inevitable, but they’re also opportunities to learn and grow. We all have things we may not like about ourselves or feel that rob our confidence. Make a list of things that rob you of your confidence. Make it a goal it eliminate doing those things and only focus on things that make you feel good about yourself.
For example, one of the things that robbed my confidence was writing since I felt I could not spell. Focusing on my lack of spelling abilities eventually led to me not wanting to write at all. By doing this exercise and acknowledging this limitation I focused on the solution to inspire confidence. This was having someone I could trust proofread my work and had them help me get my message to the world.
Doesn’t matter who you are we all have things that rob us of our confidence and inner power. But it’s only the brave who acknowledge their insecurities and permit themselves to authentically be themselves.
Turning Purpose into Action
Setting Goals Aligned with Your Purpose
Once you’ve identified your purpose, it’s time to act on it. Start by setting clear, actionable goals. Use the SMART framework:
- Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
- Measurable: Track your progress.
- Achievable: Set realistic milestones.
- Relevant: Ensure your goals align with your purpose.
- Time-bound: Set deadlines to stay focused.
For instance, if your purpose involves helping others, your goal could be to volunteer at a local charity once a week or start a community project within six months.
Building Habits to Sustain Authenticity
Purpose isn’t a one-time discovery—it’s a way of life. Building daily habits that reinforce your purpose can keep you grounded.
Some habits to consider:
- Morning journaling to reflect on your goals.
- Regularly revisiting your core values and asking if your actions are reflecting daily.
- Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who support your journey.
Inspiring Real-Life Stories
We’ve all seen amazing people who know what their purpose is and achieve amazing things. It isn’t a higher IQ that has helped them realize it. It is a fact that they have taken the time to figure out what lights them up and have a passion for serving the world using their gifts. The average human will only reach 10% of their potential in their lifetime and if this is the case we may not even be reaching 1%. Living a permission-free life is finding your purpose and finding a way to serve the world and make a difference.
Conclusion
Finding your purpose and living authentically isn’t just about achieving external success—it’s about creating a life that feels meaningful and true to who you are. By reflecting on your passions, identifying your values, and taking actionable steps, you can align with your life and purpose.
Are you ready to take the first step? Start small, stay curious, and embrace the journey. You’ll be amazed at what unfolds when you live with intention and authenticity. Join the Permission Free Living community to share your inspiring story and be inspired by others.
[…] yourself with, and what you pursue—set the course for the life ahead of you. Without a clear purpose, you’re just […]