How to Define your True Purpose and Passion in Life

How do we discover what our true purpose and passion in life is, when we have so many things to consider– making money, expectations from our family, social status, desires for stability, etc.?

There are so many things we “have to do” these days, do we ever get to do anything we “want to do” with our lives? How do we create a fulfilling life for ourselves, living our true purpose?

Do you know what your true purpose is?

Joseph Cambell said that you should “Follow your bliss.” But do we all know exactly what bliss we should be following? It can’t mean that we should just party all night every night, and satiate all of our sensual desires. That would get old very quickly.

So, how do we define our true purpose and passion in life? Answering these five questions will help:

1. What makes you happy?

Notice that the question is “What makes you happy?” rather than “What do you think would make you happy?” That is an important distinction. Many of us are searching for something “out there” that we think will make us happy, when we could learn so much from the times that we have already been happy. Even old Ebenezer Scrooge gained perspective when the Ghost of Christmas Past reminded him of the times when he had been happy in his life. Let’s not wait until the Ghost visits us. Let’s do our own inquiry into the subject now.

Some of you may wonder what I mean by happy, thinking, “I’m happy right now. I have everything I need.” That might be true (and I hope it is), but I want to clarify what I mean by happiness, just so there is no doubt. When I say “happy”, I don’t mean merely “content”. What I mean by happiness is a profound sense of internal joy that radiates from your entire being and allows you to feel connected to nature, to other people, and to life itself. Your cells tingle as you feel life coursing through you. That type of internal joy, or bliss, or happiness, comes only when you are connected with your Essence (the true YOU).

Go back in your memory and search for a time when you were really happy, when you felt this type of profound internal joy — even if for only a moment (or, maybe, hopefully, you feel it now). What was it about that time? Who or what was (is) present in your life? What are you doing? What were your thoughts? Your feelings? What is your role in creating this happy moment? What did you do right?

2. What do you feel is missing in your life right now?

Is it:

• love
• money
• fame
• career success
• health
• happiness
• acceptance
• companionship
• accomplishment
• a sense of purpose
• a connection to something greater
• zest for life
• something else…

Simply reflect on each of the categories above and try to detect if you feel a sense of longing for any of them. Take a note for yourself. Allow any thoughts or feelings to come up, informing you of what is missing in your life. Many times, what your Essence (your true, authentic self) feels is missing may be completely different from what the Personality (your conditioned self) wants, so certain things may come as a surprise to you.

3. If you didn’t have to work for money, what would you do?

This is a powerful question that many of us don’t know the answer to. We are so stuck in survival mode, just trying to complete all of the things we have to do that we rarely stop and think about what we really want to do. Not in terms of escaping what you are doing now, like “take a long vacation,” or “party like a rock star”. This is really thinking what we would do with our lives if we didn’t have the obligation to work for money. How would you spend your time on this Earth? Many people would consider this our purpose in life.

4. Are you inspired by what you do?

As a profession? Outside of your professional life? What could you do that would inspire you? Why don’t you do something that inspires you (if you don’t already)?

5. What does inspire you?
What makes you sing inside? What makes you feel harmonious with life itself?

6. What would your life look like:

If you were doing something that inspired you and made you completely happy?

If none of the things from question #2 above were missing?

If you worked on your purpose, instead of working for money?

Write down exactly what that life would look like. Picture it in your mind and experience that life in your imagination. How does it feel? Write down your feelings, as well.

Answering these five questions with complete honesty will give you a great idea of what your purpose is, and what your life will look like when you attain 360° Success.

Check out my book, 360° Success, for more information on how to create a life that is in harmony with your true purpose.