Living A Life of Purpose
Too often, we can be so focused on finding our purpose in life that we miss the opportunity to live a life of purpose. The former is discovered as you live your life; the latter can be lived by figuring out what you want your life to look like.
Admittedly, determining what you want your life to look like in the future can be overwhelming. But tried and tested business concepts, like core values and goals, might help.
Core values
Core values are the compass that guides us through life. They shouldn't always be easy or feel good, but they should guide your behavior no matter what life throws your way. Your core values can be anything, like "I choose health" or "I prioritize personal growth." So, if your core value is health, it should help you make better decisions when faced with the temptation to binge-eat or skip a workout.
Core values can go beyond the things that you hold dear; it can also include habits you want to develop or goals you want to accomplish. Simply put, core values address how you want to live your life and what kind of person you want to be. They direct your thoughts and actions. They may evolve, but they are more or less stable.
Goals
When you've determined your core values, it's time to think about what you want to achieve. For some people, their goals meet the same fate as their new year's resolutions: forgotten. But that shouldn't be the case if you write specific goals down to the date when you'll accomplish them.
Use the S.M.A.R.T. framework in your goal-setting session. It means specific, measurable, achievable, results-oriented, and doable within a certain timeframe. For example, a new amputee can write: "Stretch and strengthen my residual limb through regular exercise so I can walk thirty feet by next month."
What makes this framework effective is that it creates an internal pressure to meet the deadline. This way, your goals are achievable.
Break goals into actionable chunks
Let's say your three-year goal is to run a marathon. Meeting this goal before or on the deadline requires you to break it down into easy-to-do tasks. The tasks might look like this: "eat healthy foods to control blood sugar levels better and improve energy, start a gait training program, and build endurance by working out regularly within 90 days."
This tactic helps you keep your goals in mind without feeling overwhelmed. For long-term goals, it's best to have tasks that you can do in three months, six months, and one year. After each deadline, you can evaluate your progress and recalibrate your tasks and goals as needed.
Keep a bucket list
Goal-setting sessions can be overwhelming, so it's best to keep a bucket list where you can add things that you want to accomplish without the pressure of a deadline. When you've experienced something that's on your bucket list, you can check them off. And when it's time to set new goals, you can consult your bucket list.
Vital to your success in achieving your goals is being able to refer to your core values, goals, and tasks regularly. You can keep the list in your planner, desk, or phone.
How do you live your life with purpose? Have you done the tips above? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.