Do you ever read a quote and think, man I love that quote, it sure speaks to me?
I have many of those quotes but this quote by Mark Twain has resonated with me in recent weeks:
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.“
Mark Twain
Wow! That sentence is so powerful.
According to motivational speaker, Simon Sinek, discovering your “why” is about identifying your purpose, values, and passions in life.
It’s about understanding what motivates you and gives you a sense of fulfillment.
According to Simon once you understand your “why,” you can use it as a guide to make decisions and take actions that align with your goals and aspirations.
Many of us have a professional career that we often identify as our Why, but is it really? I was the CFO of a large non-profit organization and although I enjoyed the work, I did not believe in my heart that it was my why.
AND the big question became if that’s not my why than what is??
I began to ask myself, what is my unique reason for being here, and what special gift do I have that I can share with the world?
I’ve been doing lots of introspection in the last two years and as I’ve worked in my Isn’t She Amazing workbook, I’ve discovered that finding my purpose is not something that happens overnight, but it’s a journey that I will embark on throughout the rest of my life.
And as I’m honing in on discovering my purpose, I’m feeling a sense of joy and fulfillment that I would not have imagined.
What does this quote mean to you?
I think this quote is especially important in these challenging times when many of us may feel lost or confused about our direction in life.
We may wonder if we are making a difference, if we are living up to our potential, if we are doing what we love.
But instead of feeling discouraged, we can use this quote as a reminder that we have a purpose, and that we can discover it if we keep searching and exploring.
So how can we find our purpose? Well, there is no one answer to that question, as everyone’s purpose is different and personal. But here are some tips that might help you along the way:
Listen to your intuition. Sometimes, your gut feeling can tell you more than your rational mind. Pay attention to what makes you feel excited, curious, passionate, or fulfilled. These are clues to what your purpose might be.
Before I left my job as a CFO, I had a constant nagging feeling in my stomach that something was not right, and I acted on it.
Try new things – Don’t be afraid to experiment and explore different options. You never know what you might discover or learn from new experiences. You might find something that sparks your interest or ignites your passion.
I always thought that my strong suit was my analytical mind, but I am discovering that using the creative side of my brain is empowering. It’s overwhelming some days as I navigate technology and learn new tools but every day, I want to shout out LOOK WHAT I FIGURED OUT!
AND I jumped out of an airplane which is something I thought I would never get to do because I was too old. How’s that for trying something new?
Ask for feedback – Sometimes, other people can see things in us that we can’t see ourselves. Ask your friends, family, mentors, or colleagues what they think you are good at, what they appreciate about you, or what they think you should pursue. You might be surprised by their insights or suggestions.
I have lots of these conversations with my close group of friends. Bounce your ideas off those people that love you the most and appreciate you for who you are. You just might be surprised at what you learn.
Reflect on your values – What matters most to you in life? What are the principles that guide your decisions and actions? What are the causes that you care about or support? Your values can help you align your purpose with your beliefs and passions.
Do you like to travel, take care of animals, work with kids, help discover ways to feed the hungry, the possibilities are endless once you are clear are what really is important to you.
Make a difference – One of the best ways to find your purpose is to use your talents and skills to make a positive impact on others or the world. Think about how you can contribute to a cause that you care about, how you can help someone in need, or how you can create something valuable or beautiful. By doing so, you will not only find your purpose, but also fulfill it.
Remember, finding your purpose is not a destination, but a journey. And it’s a journey worth taking because it will make your life more meaningful and rewarding.
Action Step: Call and friend or two and have coffee and brainstorm on what they see are your passions.
