Imagine what it’d be like to get paid to have fun. Yes, that fun thing you like doing, imagine getting paid to do it. Imagine not counting down to the weekend, but instead being excited for Mondays. Seems far fetched and too good to be true?
The reality is, many people don’t feel that way about Mondays. It’s actually pretty normal for many. But, it shouldn’t be.
Most people choose their career not based on what’s in alignment with their true passions, but on what others are doing or which jobs earn a lot of money. The truth is though, many people that choose careers this way end up feeling discontented with their jobs.
Everyone has unique talents and gifts. It’s just a matter of uncovering them and living our lives accordingly. Think of it as finding the compass to your life.
So how to discover and live your life’s purpose?
3 Simple Steps to Discover Your Purpose in Life
1. Find Your Ikigai (pronounced iky-guy)
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means, “a reason for being” or “our purpose in life.”. It’s principles strive to maintain a balance between what we love, what we are good at, what the world needs, and what we can be paid for.
Finding your ikigai won’t happen overnight. You might even find that it changes as you get older, especially if you’re in high school. It takes some self-examination. To start, get a piece of paper and write down the answers to the following questions:
1. What do I love doing?
2. What am I good at?
3. What can I be paid for?
4. What does the world need?
2. Explore Your Interests
Don’t be too concerned if your answers to the previous questions were long and detailed. It’s ok to have many interests. After all, that’s what being human is all about. We are dynamic beings. To that end, use the answers to the four questions above and try new things.
Are we saying that you should quit your job and go career-hopping to find out what’s going to be your thing? Nope. But you can definitely freelance on the side of your main job. Bills still need to be paid while catching your dreams.
[Related: 5 Tips for Finding a Job that Suits Your Passion]
3. Consider Feedback
Oftentimes we show our true self and passions to others without even realizing it. Their observation and perception of us can be helpful with shedding light on our unique qualities.
It’s really easy to do. All you have to do is ask a close friend or loved one what three things come to mind when they see you or hear your name. Consider their answers and see if they are true reflections of who you are and who you want to be.
The Way to Love Mondays
If you’re not dreading the start to your week, or cringe at the thought of going to work each day, chances are your stress levels are low. Which is good since it’s an important aspect of living a healthy life. A healthier you means a happier you.
When you discover your reason for being, you’ll be excited about Mondays and be resilient even in tough situations. You will be filled with positive energy which will also spread into other areas of your work and life. Chances are, your dedication and motivation will inspire and motivate others too.
Get Started
Half the battle is won when you realize and accept that you are not living a life of purpose. You can always use the questions above to reinvent yourself. At the end of the day, it’s your life and you must live it authentically.
“ The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose.”-~ Richard Leider
Watch Chris Do of The Futur demonstrating this concept to his students in the video below:
