We all have a purpose in life, whether we recognize it or not. It’s the reason we’re here, why we do what we do. It makes sense, then, that one of our primary goals in life be to discover that purpose and fulfill it.
It’s a daunting task to be sure, and there are hundreds of e-courses or Instagram accounts trying to sell us the “right way” to discover our purpose. But how do we do that in a world filled with distractions, overloaded with information? It’s hard to find the time or energy to really work through what serves us best and discover how we’re meant to uniquely serve the world at the same time.
So, how do we find what no longer serves us?
First, I think it’s important to define what it looks like for something to no longer be of service. Perhaps it…
- Drains us of physical, mental, or emotional energy
- Takes without giving anything in return
- Makes us second guess ourselves/our purpose
- Or completely distracts us from the big picture
To be honest, it’s easy to cling to these things, because they’re usually the things that become second nature, a force of habit. For me, I know that it often feels more comfortable to continue in these habits, even when it’s clear that they’ve become a roadblock to growth.
“You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.”
-Carl Gustav Jung
It’s easy to talk a big game—speaking of the plans to remove barriers from our purpose. One good outcome of the global pandemic is that it gave some real time and space to process life. And in doing so, help us discover the things we cling to that no longer add value.
What comes to mind for you?
I’ve discovered that my perfectionism is really a guise for feeling like I need to control outcomes. Like if I pursue the tasks that lead me into my purpose imperfectly, I’ll have no control, and so would rather not step into them at all. But this isn’t how it works, in reality.
So, what is it that’s holding you back? Is there something you need to embrace in its place? Or maybe you’ve taken on too much and simply need more time for yourself.
Try taking that time to get to know you, and what fills you up. Give yourself permission to look at your life—the mental, emotional, and physical habits you’ve formed—and let go of what no longer is of value or brings you joy. Perfection isn’t the goal; it’s simply deciding that your purpose is worth more than your comfortability. And you are worth it.
