Only 25% of American adults say they have a clear sense of what makes their lives meaningful or feel like they have a purpose. But finding your purpose can lead to a sense of control, satisfaction, and overall happiness. So, if you’re feeling lost or stuck, here are some strategies that may help you find your purpose.
Start by Giving Back
Giving back to your community can give you meaning. Look for ways you can be of service by volunteering with an organization that means a lot to you, donating money to a good cause, or sharing your skills with a cause you’re passionate about. Using your strengths and abilities to serve others allows you to cultivate change and make a positive difference in the world around you.
Look to Those Who Inspire You
Sometimes, the people who inspire us the most can give us some direction in determining how we want to contribute to the world ourselves. People who inspire you don’t have to be celebrities, leaders, or activists; they can be everyday people who do good in smaller ways, like volunteering or advocating for social justice.
Pain = Purpose
At some point in your life, you may have experienced “rock bottom.” But, overcoming these challenges gives you new strengths and perspectives that you can use to help or change the life of someone struggling. How you transform your pain into purpose is entirely up to you, but it could include becoming a life coach or social worker. Or, if you’re looking for something more creative, you may consider touching the lives of others through writing, painting, music, or public speaking.
Imagine Your Best Self
When you can see what you want for yourself, hone in on people and experiences that will help you achieve your goals. Consider what you’re doing, what’s important to you, what you care about, and why you should dig deeper.
Explore and Discover Your Passions
Your passions are a great place to start when considering your life’s purpose, but they can sometimes be hard to identify. If you aren’t sure what you’re passionate about, ask the people around you, think about things you’re good at, or list things you love. You may be able to turn your passion into a side hustle or even a full-time source of income.
Recognize Your Many Strengths and Talents
We all have strengths and talents, but sometimes, we’re unsure what they are. It can also be helpful to get input from those around you because they often see things we don’t see in ourselves.
Read a Little Something
It doesn’t matter whether you prefer fiction or non-fiction; both have significant benefits. Non-fiction allows us to learn about certain subjects, and reading fiction improves empathy and critical thinking, among other things. Reading anything connects you to other people across worlds, times, places, and cultures, so pick up a book that resonates with you, and you may generate a sense of purpose in life.