“He who has a Why to live for can bear almost any How.”
– Friedrich Nietzsche
Why is having a purpose in life important?
Having a clear life purpose gives us motivation to persevere when things are challenging. It also impacts the quality and quantity of our lives. Studies have shown that having a higher level of purpose in life was found to reduce risk of Alzheimer’s disease, heart attack, inflammation and depression.
While self-endorse purpose will enhance your wellbeing, externally imposed purpose will not. So if you are only trying to live up to the standards of a socially prescribed perfect life, you may find it hard to experience a sense of meaning and it may increase your chance of burn-out and depression.
It can challenging to identify a purpose in life so here are some questions that you may find useful:
(1) Discover your values and passion
What do you like to do?
What kind of relationships would you like to have, both in their private life and their work life?
What kind of career would you like to have?
Lifestyle choices
(2) Reflect on your present and desired competencies and habits
What qualities do you admire in others?
What competencies do you have or would like to acquire?
Habits that you like or dislike
(3) Reflect on your present and future social life:
What kinds of relationships that energize and de-energize you?
What kinds of friends and acquaintances that are good for you ?
What kinds of friends and acquaintances they would like to have in the future?
What ideal family life and broader social life would look like to you?
(4) Reflect on future career experiences
What is important in your job?
What is it you like to do?
What kind of colleagues do you want?
Whom do you want to meet through your work?
(5) Visualise your ideal future
What is your best possible self and future when there are no self-imposed constraints?
How it compare to your “future if no changes are made”?
(6) Develop clear and specific goal attainment and “if-then” plans
Formulating, strategizing, and prioritizing goals
Identifying and describing ways to overcome obstacles
Plans for monitoring progress toward goals
What is next?
Don’t just think about your life purpose. Spend at least 15 minutes a day writing down the answers to the above questions.
When setting your goals and making plans, it is important to remain realistic. Studies have shown that having an unfulfilled calling is worse than having no calling.
And you purpose will be more sustainable if it helps you feel that your life matters and that you are part of something great.
Start taking actions once you have some ideas on what you can do. You do not need to wait for the plan to be perfect to begin.
Work with a peer supporter, mentor, coach or therapist and hold yourself accountable to your commitments.
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