How Discovering Your Purpose Can Make You Happy

Being in “transition” again has forced me to take a deeper look at the life I’ve built both professionally and personally and to ask myself if I am proud of the legacy I am leaving.

My parents are truly my benchmark. They have always lived purpose filled lives. My dad was a doctor for over 50 years and, much like how a Marine is always a Marine, he will always be a healer.

When he was a young boy, we dreamed of becoming a doctor. His father wanted him to be a lawyer, like himself, but my Dad stood fast in his dream. Even against the desires of his father, my dad pursued his vision. There is much more to the story, but it’s not really mine to tell.

Let me just say, that my dad’s personal challenges in becoming a doctor still inspires me today. He had passion, vision, and a desire to do good in the world. And it’s that kind of commitment that leads to a meaningful and happy life.

So how do we find our true purpose (like my dad did)? There’s a quote by Dr. Albert Schweitzer that’s worth considering:

“The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others. “

Hmmmm. Finding one’s purpose becomes a lot easier when we think about it in these terms. What skills and qualities do you have that could be of service to others? How could you build your business, your job, and your life around these abilities?

By finding out how we can uniquely serve our communities, our families and therefore, the world, our lives will take on a bigger meaning. Human beings are social creatures and hardwired to help others. When we make it a daily goal to contribute our unique gifts, it’s a powerfully rewarding experience.

We’ll begin to experience happiness in the task and not only the results achieved. Part of this happiness will occur because of the gratitude or recognition for what we’re doing, but that’s only a small part.

Truthfully, doing good work will make you happy even when no one knows about it. There’s an internal reward built in. We know we are doing good so our self-worth grows and, with it, our self-esteem.

Take this for example: Say you work in an office and your work basically consists of filling out forms, answering the phone and putting in the 8 hours required of you. How does this make you feel?

Now consider how you’d feel if you knew the paperwork you completed helped a family find a better place to live? What if those calls you took ensured a little girl doesn’t go to bed hungry tonight? What if the class you taught helped a young mom stay home with her baby while still contributing to the family income?

What if you found your purpose – whatever it may be – and you knew it made a real difference in another person’s life? Wouldn’t that make you feel happier? Wouldn’t that give you a deeper sense of accomplishment?

I challenge you, as I am doing, to spend some time figuring out what you can do to help those around you. Think about the gifts, skills, and unique qualities that you have which could serve others and make a difference in their lives.

Then figure out how to apply those skills at work, home, and in your communities. Your purpose is waiting! All it takes is for you to find the courage and the time to discover it!

Do you have a clear purpose and vision for your work and your life? If so, we’d love to hear your story.