Do you want to find your purpose?
We all want to know what we’re meant to do with our lives, and why we were put on this earth. “Purpose” gives us direction and motivation.
The first step of my coaching program is a process of self-discovery that requires that you (1) uncover your purpose, (2) address your needs, and (3) visualize your destination. This step is about “clarifying your mindset,” so that you can identify the areas of life you want or need to change.
My approach focuses on how our choices can change our lives, and the only way to make better choices is to have clarity about where we’re going and why.
How to find your purpose by drafting a “clarifying statement”
A few years ago, I was encouraged to define a “clarifying statement” as I was developing my coaching program. And at first, I had no idea what that meant. Was it a mission statement? No. Rather, it’s about answering the question, “What will you do with your life?” in a way that’s easy to understand. Another way to go about it is by asking yourself, “What kind of impact do I want to make on the world?”
For example, my clarifying statement is, “I help high achievers create balance through the power of their choices.” This is a clear, simple statement of purpose.
How did I get there? I began to think critically about my natural skills and talents, and how I serve others. When you do this, go beyond the typical skills or qualifications you would include on a resume. For example, are you a good listener? A strong speaker? Do your friends and family take your advice? Are you creative or artistic? Athletic? Organized?
Uncovering your purpose is a process of self-discovery. When I work with coaching clients, we explore the answers to the following thought-provoking questions:
- What comes naturally to you?
- What are your dreams?
- Who do you admire most, and why?
- What makes you feel confident?
Before I became a coach, I would have said that my clarifying statement was this: “I help people live better, healthier lives.” I’ve since refined this statement to find my niche as a coach. But at the end of the day, I believe that helping my clients make better choices and find balance in their lives still fulfills that original statement of purpose.
It’s not about the role that you fill
Notice how neither of my “clarifying statements” say anything about my role as a “coach.”
Your clarifying statement makes a simple declaration about how you want to live your life and isn’t necessarily tied to the role that you fill. In whatever I do, whatever role I play, I can aspire to help others live better, healthier lives.
As young people, we’re pressured to find an answer to the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The problem with this question is that it boxes us into one role. We mistakenly believe that our role or our career will give us purpose, when it’s the other way around. I have worked with clients who feel stressed, unfulfilled, or burnt out because they’ve lost sight of their purpose.
We take on many roles in life. Whether as a husband, father, Physician Assistant, healthcare executive, or life coach, I’m all about helping the people around me live happier, healthier lives. My “clarifying statement” not only tells the world who I am and what I’m all about, but continues to remind me of my purpose. It fuels me in everything I do.
Takeaway
Clearly stating your purpose will set you on your path to change. Uncovering your purpose is key to making better choices.
Oftentimes, “purpose” is at the intersection of passion and skill. When you combine your interests with your skills, you’re able to provide value to the people around you. It is not about your “title” or the role that you fill, but the impact of your role. How will you serve? What kind of contribution will you make?
Are you struggling to find your purpose? I can help you draft your “clarifying statement.” If you’re ready to find clarity and commit to a journey of self-discovery, schedule your complimentary coaching session today.
Photo by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash