How To Find Your Life Purpose & Passion | Episode 2

In this episode Joanne discusses the topic of finding your life purpose and passion and shares a little about her own journey as well as some strategies to help you to find more passion and create a life that fulfills you. 

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*This podcast does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and its contents are intended for informational purposes only.

Transcript

Welcome to Episode Two of our Full Spectrum Wellness Podcast. I'm so excited to be back here with you for our second episode.

Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions? One day bleeds into the next until years have passed, and you’re left wondering where the time went. You might even feel the need to be a part of something bigger and more meaningful. Having passion and meaning in your life can break you out of your routine. You might be working hard right now, but ask yourself, are you excited and fulfilled?

I am acutely aware that I am extremely lucky to have found my life purpose and get to be of service every single day. I’m often asked by clients how do I manage to work the number of hours I work and help the amount of people I help, and my answer is always the same, it’s not a job, it’s a calling, a passion. I really do love what I do and do what I love. When I left school, I went to art college as my passion was art and design. I focused on stained glass, ceramics and glass blowing but a wedding and a mortgage meant a change of direction and career. I stumbled into a job as an optical assistant and loved it so I trained to become a dispensing optician. Again, I was passionate about helping my clients see and feel great in their glasses and contact lenses. Fast forward a few years and after a reiki session with a friend to help ease my migraine I found the healing arts and changed direction once again. I had finally found my true passion and purpose. That was nearly 20 years ago, and I love it today as much as I did that day I received a treatment. Every day I am excited and fulfilled.

Finding your life purpose can radically change the course of your life for the better. You’ll feel more focused, motivated, and fulfilled just like me.

Have you found your passion and purpose? If not, there are some questions you ask yourself to gain a clearer understanding of your life purpose. 

1.    Have I been living my life purpose? If not, why not?

2.    What advantages would I enjoy if I knew the purpose of my life?

3.    If I’m hesitant to find my life purpose, why is that?

4.    What is my end goal? How will things look when I live my purpose continuously for years?

5.    What can I do each day to move toward realizing my vision?

Introspection is a necessary part of finding your life purpose. Ask yourself the important questions and listen to the answers.

I’d like to share some strategies to help you to find more passion and create a life that fulfills you:

1.    Determine what’s most important to you. Is it helping others or personal achievement? Does music move your soul? Do you love to compete? What brings you the most joy and happiness? Your passion in life is hidden in there somewhere, you just have to look for it.

2.    Think short-term. What could you do right now that sounds exciting to you? While long-term goals can be more meaningful, it’s important to enjoy yourself in the short-term, too. Now might be the time to try skydiving or visit somewhere you have always wanted to go. Maybe it’s finally time to try a few things that are on your bucket list.

3.    Think long-term. Pursuits that are more meaningful are likely to require more time and energy. What do you want to do over the next 10+ years? If you could accomplish one thing before the end of your life, what would it be? I know it sounds a bit morbid but this is a good exercise, the reminder that your time is limited can reduce the habit of wasting time and being indecisive. Imagine your doctor just told you that you only have weeks left to live, what is the one thing you wish you had done? 

4.    How do you want others to remember you? What would you like your obituary to say? How would you like your children, friends, and other family members to remember you? Make a conscious decision about how you’d like others to remember you and put together a plan to live that life.

5.    What did you love to do as a child that you no longer do? As children, we’re quite clear about what we like and don’t like. In addition, younger children aren’t concerned with the perceptions of others. We do things solely because we like them when we’re 6- years old. What have you given up over the years? As we become teenagers, social pressure, and the need to impress others can steer us away from the things we love. In young adulthood, we become overly concerned with the practicality of our choices. “Can I make enough money at this to have a decent lifestyle?” With a little thought, you can find a way to make a living doing what you love. Life is short. Consider what you once loved to do and find a way to incorporate it back into your life.
 
6.    How do you like to spend your free time now? If you have a few hours or a Saturday to yourself, how do you choose to spend it? Are you pottering about in the garden, trying out some new recipes in the kitchen or writing a post for your blog? Your ideal life might include your current hobbies on a larger scale. Think about why you enjoy the hobbies you currently spend your time doing.

7.    What topics and activities make you lose track of time? Have you ever gotten so involved with a conversation or an activity that you missed a meal or were amazed by how much time had passed? Make a list of the times you’ve been so focused that you forgot about everything else. Imagine if you had a career that incorporated this phenomenon. You’d never have to “work” another day again!
 
8.    If you were retired, what would you like to do? If you had more resources and unlimited time each day, how would you choose to spend your time? Describe your perfect day, in as much detail as possible.

9.    Get out of your comfort zone. Most of us are limited by our fear of failure or a fear of the unknown. However, the most meaningful activities are most likely outside of your comfort zone and that’s how we learn and grow. Be brave – explore all your opportunities.

10. Set a goal to find meaning in your life. If you can set a goal to lose 25 pounds, you can set a goal to create a more exciting life. Create a goal to find your life’s passion. Give yourself 30 days and spend a few minutes each morning and night on the task. Close your eyes and listen for the answer. Keep a running list and evaluate it at the end of the month.

11. Do something new. If you’re stuck in a rut, the easiest way to shake up your thinking is to try a new activity. New experiences help to make each day unique.

12. How could you best serve the world? Of all the challenges that exist in the world, how could you best solve one of them? True happiness requires contributing to something outside yourself. It’s not possible to solve any of the world’s problems alone. You’ll be forced to work constructively with others. Make of list of all the ways your skills, interests, and talents could benefit the world in a meaningful way.

13. Find your purpose through writing. You’ll need a sheet of paper, a pen, and a quiet place, free of distractions. for about an hour. Empty your mind of your preconceived ideas, don’t limit yourself. The answers we seek often lie in places we never bother to look. Keep an open mind. Write, “What is my life purpose?” at the top of the page. This sets the stage and informs your subconscious of your purpose. Write whatever comes to mind, write it down. Avoid judging any of your thoughts. Expect that it will take 15 minutes to rid yourself of your mental clutter. Stick with the process. At some point, you’ll want to quit or do something else instead. There’s no reason to be fearful of learning the truth. Fight through the discomfort. Continue writing until you find it. How will you know? You’ll know. You may even get a bit tearful. Just keep writing until you’re certain you’ve found it. Go with the answer that provides the greatest emotional response. Most people that attempt this exercise will quit before reaching the end. Be one of the few that completes the process. Give it a chance. You have nothing to lose.

14. Use meditation to reveal your life purpose. Sit comfortably in a quiet place free of distractions. The ideal sitting position is one you can hold without repositioning. A firm, comfortable chair is the best option for most people. If you’re physically able to sit in a lotus position, that’s even better. Maintain a focus on your breath. Feel the air moving in your nose and out of your mouth. Continue doing this for at least 10 minutes. Maintaining a focus on your breath is much more challenging than you think! Your mind will wander constantly. There’s no cure other than practice. Ask yourself, “Why am I here? What is my purpose in life?” Then relax and listen to the answers your higher self provides. As with the writing exercise, you might get many nonsensical answers at first. Keep with it. Repeat this process each day. It might take a few days to discover the answer. Meditate on a regular schedule and continue to ask yourself the appropriate questions. Continue the process until you receive an answer that makes intuitive sense to you. It will simply feel “right”.

Humans have been searching for the meaning of life for millennia. While there isn’t a universal answer, it is possible to find meaning in your own life. Avoid allowing your life to pass by without fully living it. Set a few goals and experience life outside your comfort zone. Find your purpose and passion and reclaim your life.

I want to leave you today with a simple affirmation, “I can live a healthy life with focus, clarity, direction, passion and purpose”.