In Pursuit of Purpose

    

What is my purpose?" Everybody has one - a reason they were created. There is some role to fulfil, some part to play, some reason for our existence, right? I've heard purpose described, quite simply, if you see something that needs to be done, it is your purpose to do it. Another approach was find out what you are passionate about and you'll find your purpose. Maybe it's that simple, but something inside says there's got to be more.

When I think of Purpose, I think of what gives meaning to our lives. It keeps us from the futility of aimless Doing with nothing more to show but unfulfilled lives. We might find our lives tolerable. In fact, like tattered, gapping, runover sneakers, our lives may be oh so comfortable yet falling apart.
My life coach encouraged me to use some tools to explore my purpose even more deeply. I was given an exercise that involved first identifying my Values, Motivations and Strengths. This knowledge, in turn, would reveal Meaning, Spark and Contribution. All roads were to ultimately lead to Individual Awareness. I must admit, I still couldn't put all the pieces together BUT I gained understanding that let me know I was closer to Purpose than I had ever been before.
PUT YOURSELF FIRST. This was my first pearl of wisdom. It is not enough to know who you are, but you must honor who you are. Heretofore, I had exerted so much energy in knowing myself, but kept placing myself in compromising situations. I grossly neglected taking care of that self.
You might say, "well, that sounds good but how do you actually put yourself first?" I'm glad you asked. First, take a long look at where your time and energy are going. How much of that time is other-directed? How much of that time is for you?
Take paper and pencil and list energizers on one side and drainers on the other. Then prioritize the two lists based on the intensity. Say, you list "taking work home" as a drainer. How much of a drain is it? Is it a minor annoyance or does it leave you so tired that you have no energy for anything or anybody else? Our lives are like bank accounts. You can only take out what has been deposited else the account is overdrawn. Nothing else can go out until something is put in.

Another way of putting yourself first is to take a typical day. Carve out some time for yourself. Doesn't have to be major but it must be meaningful. I suggest scheduling me time just as you schedule lunch or other appointments. For me, it was going outdoors: leaving the confines of the indoors and embracing the expanded vantage point of nature.
YOUR PURPOSE KNOWS WHO YOU ARE. This was profound. It took the toil out of trying to find out my purpose. It removed the anxiety of trying to find something that seemed to elude me. When you act in accordance with who you are, purpose recognizes you. You invite purpose to present you with opportunities to usher you into a better life. I've heard countless success stories of people who took a risk on what they believed or wanted for their lives. Despite doubters and haters, they heard something that they couldn't explain tell them they had to go for it. And they did. When they stood up, Purpose came running.
PURPOSE IS NOT ONLY THE DESTINATION BUT IT IS THE JOURNEY. Purpose is the driving force, the energy that drives us to its fulfillment. Purpose takes coincidences and turns them into opportunities. Purpose takes discontent and leaves bread crumbs for you to follow that bring you to a higher consciousness. Purpose takes unpleasant experiences and brings you to a place of meaning and a deeper understanding of who you are and how you fit in the larger picture. Purpose exposes the mediocre and inspires excellence. Purpose is a relentless agitator, oft challenging where we are and beckoning us to where we're suppose to be. Purpose does not require facts, it simply knows. Purpose is never ever wrong. So, if you are in pursuit of purpose, let me give you some liberating news. Purpose is in pursuit of you.

Are You On A Mission?

If you…

     Want the freedom to be you

      Want to make a difference and be of service to others

      Believe you have so much to give but do not know how

      Are tired of feeling sick and tired of feeling sick and tired

Then you are not alone. If any of these statements apply to you, let me assure you, it’s not your fault.

If like me you weren’t taught what to do, don’t feel sad about it. You will be pleased to know that you can learn how to Find Your Place, Position & Purpose.

Want to know what it is? (am sure you do…)

Then join Jacqueline Ani, Adebukola Oragbade and Omowunmi Olunloyo on Saturday December 13^th 2014 at 1pm for Find Your Place, Position & Purpose at The Agora Harris Academy Falconwood The Green Welling Kent DA16 2PE. 

Closest Rail: Falconwood Station, Bus: B15, B16, 51

You will get simple actionable steps you can put into practice immediately to help you Find Your Place, Position And Purpose in record time.

For more information contact 07950826429 or omowunmiolunloyo@yahoo.com

To Living in Purpose!

Omowunmi

www.omowunmiolunloyo.blogspot.co.uk

P.S

Do you have some friends or colleagues who could benefit from this wealth of free information? Feel free to tell them about the program Find Your Place, Position & Purpose. Thank you! I appreciate you.

 

 

Talking About Purpose!

When we talk about purpose, we are talking about our reason for being and for doing. Life is meaningless without knowing and living out our purpose. Some people will commit suicide because they feel that their life has no purpose, and without purpose there is no hope. God created man in His image and gave him a purpose that included spiritual fellowship and productive service. A purpose isn't simply an ideal; it's something that we have strong convictions about: we believe in it and it informs our actions.Purpose generates excitement - an excitement that enables us to leap over every obstacle. It helps us to develop tenacity. I become excited when I know what God wants me to accomplish, when I know why I'm here and when I understand the possibilities of my future. I develop endurance, that can't quit attitude that allows me to rise above challenges. Don't get me wrong - purpose doesn't minimize or even eliminate challenges. It just helps me to have the drive to succeed in spite of them.

A true purpose is God given: it requires sensitivity and listening to God's voice. To know our purpose and to maximize that purpose, we need to develop an intimate relationship with the Lord through the Holy Spirit. Developing that relationship involves prayer and studying and meditating on the Word of God. The faith chapter in Hebrews 11 tells us about numerous people who realized their purpose because of their faith in God. Noah, through his faith, realized his purpose of saving his family and humanity from extinction. Abraham realized his purpose of being a blessing to the nations and becoming a father of faith for billions of people. Moses realized his purpose of being a deliverer for the Israelites rescuing them from their Egyptian captivity. Every truly spiritual/mature believer has a sense of purpose. All believers have purpose but not all believers know their purpose because they have not developed that sensitivity to God's voice.

Purpose motivates us and we motivate and mobilize others. When we understand and embrace our purpose, we become excited and there is a willingness to get up and go. We know what we are about. Purpose as the 'why' helps us to figure out the 'what' and the 'how.' Having motivation then leads to motivating and mobilizing others. This is particularly true of leaders. Strong leaders know their purpose: they know what they have to do, where they have to go and who they have to recruit. Leaders know that they can't accomplish their purpose alone. They need to bring people along with them. Some of those persons will come to recognize their purpose and may eventually branch out. A person who lacks motivation is a person who lacks purpose.

Purpose motivates diligence. When we are strongly committed to our purpose, we will be motivated to work hard. We understand that hard work is needed in order to be successful. Someone has quipped that the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. When we are driven by our purpose, we will make needed sacrifices. At times, we will put in long hours because that is what is required to fulfill our purpose. However, working hard does not mean that we have to compromise on those things that are important such as our relationship with God and our relationship to our family. The difference between a dreamer and a visionary is effort. A dreamer can conceptualize but doesn't invest the effort to actualize. The visionary sees the possibilities and actively takes the steps to ensure that they are turned into realities.

Purpose causes leaders to prioritize. Leaders can't accomplish everything; similarly, they cannot meet all expectations. Leaders must focus on those activities that actualize their purpose. Activities can be divided into urgent but not important, important but not urgent, neither urgent nor important, both urgent and important. Leaders must determine which category an activity falls into. This means that some things must be left undone. Leaders must recognize that not all positions and jobs help them to realize their purpose. Some things require leaders' attention but are minor; these should not be time consuming. Leaders must invest time in the major activities; some things can be delegated - e.g. the apostles left the waiting on tables to the deacons. Leaders who try to do everything not only fail to realize their purpose but are also candidates for burnout. Jesus is a great example of maintaining one's priorities. He came to do the will of His Father and He did not deviate from that purpose.

Purpose keeps us grounded in the present as opposed to the past while preparing for the future. It keeps us focused on what needs to happen now. It keeps us grounded in reality rather than dreaming about the future. Purpose helps us to overcome the monotony of life: life is not a string of exhilarating activities. In today's culture of instant gratification, people are looking for excitement, so they abandon things that are no longer thrilling. Persons who have purpose will stick to their task until the goal is realized. Purpose reminds us that we're going somewhere - activities add up. The journey may be long, but we know we are making progress with every step we take.

Know your purpose, maximize your potential. Giftedness alone is not sufficient; without purpose even a gifted person will fail to realize his potential. When we have purpose we will look for opportunities to actualize that purpose. Purpose challenges us to overcome our deficiencies and fears. Purpose causes us to improve through studying and practice. Purpose leads to creativity; it helps us to find the resources that are needed. Is your purpose being realized? Are you accomplishing what you set out to do?

 

 

http://ezinearticles.com/?Talking-About-Purpose!&id=7765980

You Are Invited

Purpose

Many people go through much of their lives without really thinking about their purpose. I don't mean a lofty, philosophic, and often unrealistic purpose that has us striving to save the world or solve the challenge of poverty throughout the world (although these are both admirable for those whose true purpose is to do so). What I am talking about is the individual and unique purpose that drives and grounds us. The one thing that gives meaning to our lives and motivates us to achieve our potential.
Purpose is best expressed in two parts. The first part is fixed. This is the intrinsic nature or core of who we are. It describes the "what" of our purpose and does not change over time or across situations. The second part is variable. It is "how" we express our purpose and can change over time or across situations. The "how" represents the actions that we take in the fulfilment of our purpose. When our actions are synchronized with our purpose, we will not only perform our best but we will also feel our best. For example, in my previous management roles, I always found myself feeling the most satisfied and energized both during and after helping one of my team members solve a particularly challenging situation. As I was to discover, this reflected the fact that this situation or activity was in sync with my purpose which was to "help others to help themselves" (the "what") by coaching people to explore their options and discover their capabilities (the "how"). In my current coaching practice, the work I do with my clients is one of the most satisfying times in my day as it allows me to fully express my purpose.
One way of viewing our lives and our state of being is as a system. When part of that system is out of sync with the rest, we cease to function efficiently and effectively. When our actions are out of sync with our purpose, we do not function at our best. This is what happens when we spend our time focused on material and external rewards. We fail to truly attend to our purpose and risk working against our true nature. This leads to both dissatisfaction and unhappiness as we go through life trying to swim against our natural flow. If we focus our efforts on fulfilling our purpose, the material and external rewards will follow or, more often than not, will lose their importance. Even without these rewards, our lives will be much more fulfilling and this will lead to greater satisfaction.

Purpose is particularly important in the fulfilment of our potential as it represents the ultimate commitment in our life. When we use our capabilities in activities that serve our purpose, we achieve a state in which our skills and our commitment are highly synchronized. In this state we are achieving what Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi refers to as flow in his books "Flow" and "Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life" (I highly recommend these books). When we are in flow, we are at the highest level of engagement in what we do and are the most contented. For many of us, this state is achieved without awareness. All we know is that we are thoroughly and completely enjoying what we do.

In identifying our purpose, there are a number of things that we can do. First, we can attend to situations in which we have achieved a state of flow. What are we doing when we are most contented? What activities provide us with the most enjoyment and satisfaction? When do we feel the most challenged and that we have the capabilities to meet these challenges head on? The activities in which we are engaged in during these situations represent the expression of our purpose. In examining these expressions of purpose we can discover the very essence of who we are. Second, we can look at where we have achieved the most success. Through examination of our successes we can discover both what we do well and what brings us satisfaction. Third, we can look at what we dream of doing and why. Our dreams provide us with great insight into where we can achieve potential and thus satisfy our purpose. Finally, we can follow our hearts. When we over-use our great ability to think and analyse in discovering our purpose, we too often begin to judge and, as result, limit our possibilities.
Do not worry if you are uncertain about your purpose. Most of us do not discover our purpose without a lot of effort while some of us know right away. Look at discovering your purpose as an exciting journey. One that will allow you to better understand who you are and of what you are capable.



http://ezinearticles.com/?Purpose&id=59761

Finding Life's Purpose Away From Your Job

When I was in the military, I had a job where I felt like I was making a difference in the world. It was more than just a job, it was a calling and I looked forward to work every day. When I left the military after serving for 6 years, I had plans to find a career that was just as rewarding. More than anything, I wanted a job where I could make a difference in the world. Fate had other plans for me, though. Shortly after I left the Air Force, the economy crashed and the federal government, where I dreamed to work, was not hiring anyone. In fact, many places were not hiring due to the troubled economy. I managed to find a local job in my career field, but it did not give me the same sense of purpose the military had.
For a long time I struggled with a loss of a sense of purpose. I had gone from serving my country, willing to give all in its defence, to feeling like I was not doing anything worthy for the world or my fellow human. I wondered often if there were other military veterans who felt the same way when they left the service. Were they also experiencing a loss of a sense of purpose in their lives?
A few years ago, my grandmother, who was a wonderful and kind woman, passed away at the young age of 90. As I was struggling with this lost sense of purpose, I also had to struggle with the loss of a woman who was one of the strongest women I know. She beat cancer multiple times. She was independent and pretty healthy till the very end. She never stopped learning new things, and she always shared her knowledge with others. My mother told me once that my grandma used to tutor adults at her local library, helping them learn to read and write better.
One day, as I was struggling with my lost sense of purpose, I thought of my grandma and how she used to help people. I decided that if I could not find a job where I felt like I was making enough difference in the world, I would make a difference in the world outside of my job. I decided to honour my grandmother's memory, and signed up to volunteer at the West Michigan Literacy Centre, so I could also help an adult learn to read, speak and write better English. I have been volunteering for over a year now, and it is a very rewarding experience. I finally feel like I am helping to make the world a better place, even if it is only for one person. My learner is very passionate about learning, and we have so much fun with the nuances of the English language.
I have such a big love of learning, that I love to help others learn new things, too. I recommend that anyone out there who is struggling in a job where you do not feel like you are making a difference in the world, find something you are passionate about and use that passion to help others outside of your job. I only spend 2 hours a week with my learner, but I know it has already made a big difference to her. Don't get discouraged if you haven't found your dream job. Don't get discouraged if you feel like you could be contributing more to society. Go out and volunteer with an organization that shares your passion and you will find your sense of purpose.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140701030623-60351343-finding-life-s-purpose-away-from-your-job

Find Your Place, Position & Purpose

Live by Your Values and Everything Else Will Fall into Place

“Until you make peace with who you are, you will never be content with what you have.” ~Doris Mortman

As I sit here writing this, I am still in the middle of a huge shift in my life, a shift that has seen me move from living by other people’s values and expectations to identifying and living by my own.

The catalyst for change was a health scare when, on my thirtieth birthday, my doctor told me that I may have cervical cancer. Luckily, I got the all clear, but something had shifted and I realized how dissatisfied with my life I was. I felt like I was swimming against the tide; everything was a struggle.

At the time I was well on my way to achieving what I wanted: money, a high-status job, and the ability to buy lots of stuff.

I owned my own house and a car and I was out of the house twelve to thirteen hours a day working. For me, that was success. However, my ambition just seemed to disappear overnight and I went into freefall.

I felt exhausted, I was ill all the time, drinking and eating too much, and it was all I could do to drag myself out of bed in the morning to go to work. (I was doing a daily four-hour commute.) To quote Julie Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love, “You know what I felt this morning? Nothing. No passion, no spark, no faith, no heat, no nothing!”

I didn’t realize it at the time, but as soon as I started to question my life, I subconsciously communicated to the universe that I wanted—needed—to change things.

I started taking on freelance work to see if I could reignite my passion for my career. I found that people wanted my services, which increased my confidence and made me realize just how low I felt after working for years in a macho and competitive environment that was never going to nourish me.

I suddenly thought, I can earn money as a freelancer, I should start my own business. I decided to keep going at my current job for another six months and build the business in what little spare time I had.

An hour after making that decision, I had yet another confrontational email from a colleague based on a lie told by another. I resigned that day. I already felt lighter.

I went into business for myself and I hated it. Now I know that it was because I wasn’t ready, plus I went into business as a marketing consultant, which I wasn’t passionate about.

Working on my own at home didn’t suit me, and the income instability meant I hit rock bottom. There were panic attacks, more illness, and I am certain I was fast heading to the stage where I would be needing antidepressants.

As I hit rock bottom, I had an epiphany and realized that two of the main things I need in life are:

1. Human interaction on an almost daily basis

2. A certain level of security—that’s why I was so keen to buy a house, when most twenty-five-year-olds are renting and moving around. I am a homebody to my core.

If a base level of security and being alone all the time are my life ‘deal breakers,’ then why had I been trying to build a life that didn’t incorporate them? I needed to get in touch with my real values.

I began reading books and articles, anything I could get my hands on, about personal values and how to identify them.

I identified the values I had been living by for the past thirty years, the values that had been the basis of every major life decision I had ever made. I have listed the top ten below:

Status achieved through career

• Money and wealth
• Advancement — This is great for me if advancement is personal or spiritual, but in this case it was centered on career and money.
• Affluence
• Ambition
• Recognition
• Leadership
• Materialism
• Perfection
• Achievement — I still want to achieve and I still have goals, but it’s different when it is a goal you have set based on your core values.

The values that I had been living by were not mine but a close family member’s. They are not bad values, but they are not my values; they are not the things that are most important to me and how I live my life.

So who was I? What were my values? I had no idea.

At this point I had been trying to carry on with my business to earn money to pay the bills while ‘finding myself’ and interviewing for jobs. I got the first role I applied for as the marketing manager for a lifestyle business and a much more suitable environment for me as a person. It has allowed me to carry on with my voyage of self-discovery.

My ten core values, the values that I now live by, are:

• Security
• Positive/fulfilling relationships with friends and family
• Contentment — I love the simple things; they make me feel at my most content.
• Peace — I can’t handle confrontation, drama, loud environments, or unnecessary competition; that’s why my previous job in a busy and noisy city for a company with a loud and competitive environment didn’t suit me.
• Fun  — Since I started living by my values, life has become so much more fun.
• Laughter — I love a good laugh; my friends, family, a lighter outlook on life, and the odd funny film or stand-up comedy routine provide this for me.
• Loyalty — I am loyal to my family, friends, colleagues, and community.
• Financial freedom — This doesn’t mean earning lots of money to me, but actually keeping life simple and living within my means.
• Passion — Since writing this article I have moved forward and decided that my true passion lies in writing, so I have recently set up as a freelance copywriter and blogger. This will mean a lot of changes and new challenges, but I am very excited about the future.
• Simplicity — This for me goes hand in hand with most of the other nine values; a simple life suits me.

So what wisdom can I pass on after my journey?

1. Your core values play a huge part in how you decide to live your life.

If you are unhappy with parts of your life—if you are suffering from stress, illnesses, and feel generally uneasy in the living of everyday life—then it might be time to go inside yourself and answer honestly the questions “What is important to me?” and “How do I want to live my life?”

You need to spend time identifying your values; it’s well worth the effort.

2. Don’t live by someone else’s values.

This makes life hard because you are never being true to yourself. It is so easy to do this because so many people, parents, family members, and teachers have a say in how we should be living our lives, and this can mean that we develop their values and not our own.

3. Once you start living by your values, life shifts in the most beautiful of ways.

You don’t hold on to the things that no longer serve you because you have everything you need within yourself. For example, I realized that although I was a good marketing manager, it wasn’t my passion.

I’ve taken the leap and decided to try writing full time. This may mean many more life changes and it’s scary, but I need to follow my heart.

 

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/live-values-everything-else-will-fall-place/

8 Ways to Discover Your Passion and Live a Life You Love

“Don’t worry about what the world needs.  Ask what makes you come alive and do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” ~Howard Thurman

 

I didn’t spend two years and $100,000 for a master’s degree in counselling from an Ivy League university so that I could be miserable and hate my life 50 hours a week, but that’s what happened.

After a few years in the trenches of the non-profit world, my job had become so emotionally draining that it was taking a vicious toll on my health and causing gripping anxiety attacks. I felt exhausted more often than not, and I was scrambling to find scraps of happiness in my previously joy-filled life.

When I took the time to listen, my inner monologue sounded something like this:

“You know you’re not doing what you love. Your life lacks a deeper meaning, and you have no idea what you’re really passionate about. What in the world are you doing with your life?”

I wanted to do more, but I had no idea which path I wanted to take. I felt confused, stuck, and worst of all, embarrassed by my lack of direction. I was treading water as I waited for a sign as to what my next step should be.

As the months continued to pass, I became more aware of how I was wasting time. I saw my life passing me by, leaving me only with regrets and “what ifs.”

Finally, I was brutally honest with myself about my unhappiness and I embarked on some serious soul-searching. I asked myself tough questions and learned what it felt like to be authentically me. I discovered that my unhappiness was rooted in my lack of passion and I slowly began taking control.

Six months later, I launched my own coaching business. A year later, I quit my job, reclaimed my life, and I have never been happier.

But that doesn’t mean everything fell into place perfectly.

Even though I had been building my own business for several months before I left my job, I was still scared. I didn’t know if I would be able to support myself financially or if my business would be sustainable.

In order to build up my savings, there were months of saying no to happy hours and weekend brunch dates, moving in with a friend to decrease my rent, and cutting corners to save every dollar possible.

Following my passion was emotionally challenging and a leap of faith, but I never worried about making the “wrong” choice because I knew I didn’t want to be unhappy any longer, and that was more important to me than any pay check.

It is terrifying when you feel like your life has no purpose or direction, but finding your passion can change all that. Finding your passion is like finding your personal road map. When you know what your passion is, you feel motivated, inspired, and so much clearer about what your next step should be.

8 Ways to Discover Your Passion and Live a Life You Love

1. Slow down.

When we slow down, we are able to tap into the best version of ourselves, which is most often when we find the answers we’ve been searching for. This might mean practicing yoga, going for daily walks, or setting aside time each day to meditate. Slowing down allows you to quiet the outside voices and listen to yourself.

2. Change your story.

We all tell ourselves stories about who we are, what we’re capable of, and what we deserve. If we can identify our self-limiting stories (I’m not good enough; I don’t deserve to be happy, etc.), then we can begin writing new stories that are grounded in confidence and courage, and map out actions that move us from one to the other.

3. Own your uniqueness.

We are here for a reason. No one else has your unique blend of talents, wisdom, strengths, skills, and creativity. We all have something great to offer, and learning to accept and own what makes you unique is crucial to sharing your gifts with the world.

4. Cultivate confidence.

If we are continually telling ourselves we can’t, then we will never believe we can. There is a chance you may fail, but it will be impossible to succeed if you don’t believe in yourself. You can create affirmations, focus on the things you want, or make a vision board that shows your future success.

5. Find the themes.

Recognizing the recurring themes in our lives creates a pattern for us to either follow or change. What themes or lessons seem to constantly surface in your life? What are you drawn to again and again? What areas of life seem to be full of discomfort and pain? What areas are full of joy and light?

6. Write.

Ideas flow more freely when we write without an agenda. New inspiration may appear unexpectedly and it becomes easier to connect the dots. Spend a few minutes of quality time each day with a pen and paper allowing yourself to process your thoughts without influence from the outside world.

7. Focus on the fun.

Too often we get wrapped up in the expectations we set for ourselves. We focus on the details and the to-do lists instead of what is most important. What do you love to do? What makes you smile? If money were limitless, what would you be doing today?

8. Push past fear.

It’s so seductive to tell ourselves that’s we’ll go after what we want when we have more experience, more money, or more time, but the truth is, that will never happen. We must identify these excuses as masks for our fear. It’s only when we get clear on our fears and recognize how it is holding us back, we can begin moving forward.

 

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/8-ways-to-discover-your-passion-and-live-a-life-you-love/

Ready To Live Your Best Life NOW?

If you…

      Want the freedom to be you

      Want to make a difference and be of service to others

      Believe you have so much to give but do not know how

      Are tired of feeling sick and tired of feeling sick and tired

Then you are not alone. If any of these statements apply to you, let me assure you, it’s not your fault.

If like me you weren’t taught what to do, don’t feel sad about it. You will be pleased to know that you can learn how to Find Your Place, Position & Purpose.

Want to know what it is? (am sure you do…)

Then join Jacqueline Ani, Adebukola Oragbade and Omowunmi Olunloyo on Saturday December 13^th 2014 at 1pm for Find Your Place, Position & Purpose at The Agora Harris Academy Falconwood The Green Welling Kent DA16 2PE. 

Closest Rail: Falconwood Station, Bus: B15, B16, 51

You will get simple actionable steps you can put into practice immediately to help you Find Your Place, Position And Purpose in record time.

For more information contact 07950826429 or omowunmiolunloyo@yahoo.com

To Living in Purpose!

Omowunmi

www.omowunmiolunloyo.blogspot.co.uk

P.S

Do you have some friends or colleagues who could benefit from this wealth of free information? Feel free to tell them about the program Find Your Place, Position & Purpose. Thank you! I appreciate you.

 

 

Can You Actually Know God’s Purpose for Your Life?

Do you spend much time wondering (or worrying) about what career or purpose is right for your life? I’ve lost sleep over the same topic, constantly returning to this question:

Am I wasting my life in this (job, relationship, church, etc.)?

Most of us are deeply concerned with living meaningful, purposeful lives, and we spend a lot of energy trying to figure out if we are doing it. We want to know what God wants for our lives, and we want to know today!

Unfortunately, our overarching purpose in life seems to have little to do with our circumstances. God's “mission statement,” of sorts, for our life doesn’t include a job title, graduate school—well, not directly.

It never starts with circumstances. It starts with His heart for all people.

God's Purpose for Your Life

So, drumroll—here it is: “When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

When we commit our lives to Jesus, we commit to an enduring, lifelong mission. We commit to a life of speaking, acting, thinking and relating out the transforming and joyful experience of being in a relationship with Christ. That’s it. Wherever you are, whatever you do, whether you think it’s the best fit or worst job ever—God wants you to live out His mission.

The purpose for your life—the deepest place where you find meaning and satisfaction—transcends any role, job or circumstance you are facing. When Jesus walked the earth, He blew up everyone’s paradigm on what it means to be purposeful and powerful.

He sent angels to the guys working the dead-end jobs.

He held up kids in front of the celebrity pastors of the day and told them they should get acquainted with their own childlikeness if they wanted to find the Kingdom.

He took the shadiest characters and cast-offs and made them powerful in His plan.

Yet we all worry that our jobs aren’t meaningful enough and our work doesn’t fulfil us—and we want God to change that, like, yesterday.

Trading In Our Cheap Version of God's Will

It’s easy for us to fall into a version of Christianity that believes, without saying it, that God is supposed to make our lives go well, that His will is for us to get what we want. We have a picture of what we want our lives to be, and we fall into a rut of believing that God’s job is to make our pictures become reality.

This is absolutely not the biblical picture of life with God, but a cheap version, a fake copy grown out of our self- centeredness. Here’s a progression of how this version usually develops:

• God saved me and offers me life and forgiveness.
• This must mean that God wants my life to be happy and go the way I envision it.
• If hard things happen to me, this makes me question if God is reliable.
• If my life picture is not coming true, it must mean that either God is punishing me or He is not who I thought He was.
• If a tragedy happens in my life, it must mean that God is either incapable or unloving. Either He was not capable of stopping it—which means I now have a crisis of faith—or He doesn’t love me (or is punishing me or cursing me), which gives me a crisis of heart.

Ultimately, without knowing it, this form of belief means that my picture of my life is the highest object of my devotion and that God is supposed to serve me and make my picture come true.

This version of Christianity is, first, not Christianity at all. It is like comparing an aged wine to a Hi-C juice box. The two may look somewhat the same and be derived from the same fruit (or “artificial fruit flavour”), but there is no comparison.

Beyond Circumstances

Living with this “make me happy” god is destructive to our joy and freedom in Christ. If we are constantly bound to the circumstances we believe we need in order to be joyful, we have become the Lord of our own life—believing our destiny is in our own hands.

God seems to care very little about our circumstances or roles when it comes to His overarching purpose for our life.

This creates a paralyzing insecurity that traps most of us in enslaving fear. No wonder we are so worried about wasting our lives—we are so busy trying to know God’s plans that we are distracted from living them out today.

If you can relate, take heart! Most of us can. But God’s ultimate mission statement for our lives doesn’t mean He won’t work to orchestrate relationships and circumstances—and yes, even jobs—that allow us to have productive and meaningful experiences. It’s when we make those things the highest object of our devotion that we lose sight of what’s really important.

When we turn from our own ideas and commit our daily lives to His mission, we begin to walk more in step with Him. We take the humble posture of believing that God has us where we are for a reason. Even as we take steps or work toward the next thing, we can keep our hearts present in today. We can ask God to let us be more concerned for His mission and less concerned with Our mission.

And in doing so, we start to see the many ways God will be present, active and engaged with our lives—even if it’s at the drive-thru window.

 

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/can-you-actually-know-god%E2%80%99s-purpose-your-life

 

20 Ways to Find Your Calling Part 3

14. Don’t confuse a job with a purpose.
If you are working to support your family, they are your real bosses. If you are working to further a goal or idea, don’t let your paycheck (however plump it is) become an obstacle to it.

15. Consider your epitaph, not your resume.
Thinking long term can help you see both what’s vitally important and what’s certainly silly.

16. There’s no need to be THE best.
Very few people are the very best in the world at anything. Doing your best doesn’t mean you have to be THE best. Your best is more than enough.

17. Don’t keep score.
No one will be at the top or bottom of their game forever, and who you perceive as your competition is a constantly changing cast of characters. Keeping score can become a full-time job if you let it, and that’s an awful way to spend a day, much less a lifetime.

 

18. Change course if you find yourself coasting. 
It’s possible to get stuck on a very easy and vaguely rewarding path, like a cushy or undemanding job. If you feel yourself simply rolling along, it’s time to switch gears, because coasting can atrophy your dreams.

19. Be authentically uncool.
Stick with what you love, even if others sneer at it. This is also referred to as integrity.

20.  Relax.
There’s no right answer, but there are thousands of viable options.

 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicahagy/2012/06/26/20-ways-to-find-your-calling/3/

20 Ways to Find Your Calling Part 2

7. Blend your talents.

Instead of doing something that only takes advantage of one skill, create a mash-up of several things you do well. You’ll set yourself apart and feel more satisfied with what you’re doing.

8. Seek out people you actually like.
It’s more satisfying to dig a ditch with friends than to design a skyscraper with a team of sociopaths.

9. Give yourself permission to change your mind.
Most of us choose our paths around 18. As time passes, you might find new things to do and places to be and people to know, and a few calls you made at 18 will probably need to be overturned.

10. Ask the elderly for advice.

They’ve been there, done that, got the AARP card. You’ll find that happiness and satisfaction have more to do with love and purpose than dollars and cents.

11. Roam a library.
You never know which book, author, or topic will speak to you from the shelves. You might just find what you didn’t even know you were looking for.

12. Seek support, not tolerance.
You’re going to need help with anything and everything. Make sure you have people in your corner who do more than just nod and say, “that’s nice,” when you tell them your dreams.

13. Spend time before you spend money.
Invest in reading and talking and finding out before you plunk down a ton of money on a degree or a certification or a relocation. You might find that you don’t have to write a check to compose your future


http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicahagy/2012/06/26/20-ways-to-find-your-calling/3/
 

20 Ways to Find Your Calling Part 1

Not sure what to be when you grow up (whenever that is)? Fret no more.
We can figure this out together. Let’s get started.

 

1. Ignore the future, deal with the present. 
The question, “What should I be when I grow up?” is wrong. Ask instead, “What is next today?” People become fat one bite at a time, and we become adults one hour at a time, so what we do today matters.

2. Shop around. 
Unless you try on the outfit, you’ll never know if it fits. Do the same with vocations, avocations, hobbies and skills. You’ll need to sample every flavor to know your true favorite taste.

3. Say yes to odd opportunities.
Say yes to the things that intrigue you, instead of the ones that bore you.

4. Find a problem to solve.

Being the solution makes your work feel meaningful. Having an issue to work against also gives you a villain to play against—and makes you a hero.

5. Burn your plans.
Your life will not go according to plan. Nobody’s ever has. So don’t worry if you get off track. The track was imaginary anyway.

6. Do not follow someone else’s dream.
Your parents want you to be A. Your boss wants you to be B. Your friends want you to be C. And society is clamouring for you to be D. You can’t please everyone, but if you do what YOU think you should, at least you’ll be able to sleep at night.



http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicahagy/2012/06/26/20-ways-to-find-your-calling/

Find Your Place, Position & Purpose