What is Purpose?
It is common for people to see life purpose as a very vague concept — something that we know to be ideal but are unsure of what it encompasses and how to reach it.
The Japanese concept of Ikigai (translated to mean “reason for being”) is one clear presentation of the different aspects of purpose:
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- What we love to do (our passion)
- What we are good at (our strengths)
- What society needs (our mission)
- What we can be paid for (our profession)
According to Ikigai, when these factors interact, we experience personal enjoyment and a sense meaningful contribution to something larger than ourselves.
Benefits of Having A Purpose
A sense of purpose often helps us make good decisions that bring us satisfaction and fulfilment. It can also be a strong motivator for us to persevere despite challenges. Conversely, people who lack a sense of purpose often find that life is mundane and meaningless.
The Question Remains — How?
Here are four ways we can find our purpose:
1. Find out what your passions and strengths are by making time for reflection and gaining new experiences
Make time to reflect on your current and past experiences. Ask yourself: What brings you the most satisfaction? Are there causes that you believe in? Have there been certain types of tasks that you frequently receive positive feedback and praise for?
Additionally, do not be afraid to try out new experiences. Seek out volunteer and internship opportunities in the organizations, causes, and jobs of your interest. These experiences are also good platforms for you to connect with people within the industry who can mentor and guide you. It is common for people to realise that actual experiences are very different from what they had expected. Thus, these first-hand experiences are important in helping us gain a realistic understanding of what we are getting into.
2. Identify jobs and positions that tap on these passions and skillsets
It is important to work in organizations that are a good fit for our personalities, values, and strengths. While it is common for people to yearn to be in professions that society values and glorifies, we also need to recognize the hard truth that the requirements of some jobs might not suit our personalities and natural abilities. Finding a good fit between the organization’s needs and your personal interests and strengths is key to keeping us engaged and effective. A good fit allows us to contribute tangibly towards the organisation and enables us to feel motivated when we achieve positive outcomes.
Make use of personality and career assessment tools that assess your strengths and provide you with career suggestions. Read job descriptions carefully and consider if you can envision yourself doing well in that role. Ask for the honest feedback of trusted family members and friends, and adopt an open mind when you begin your career journey.
3. Develop your strengths
It is also important for us to keep improving. Our talents, if not developed, will remain like raw diamonds with untapped potential. While receiving initial praise and affirmation is important validation that we are contributing in the right place, we should not get complacent. It takes consistent effort and determination to develop and master strong skillsets. These enable us to contribute even more effectively to the work that matters to us.
4. Set progressive goals
That said, with the constant changes and disruptions of late, it is also common for people to find that they are unable to get employed in their ideal industries, companies, or even job level. Thus, we need to broaden our approach to get there by setting progressive goals. You can ask yourself: What are the current opportunities and resources I have within my reach? Which of those allow me to grow professionally in the key skills I would need for the job or industry I want to enter?
Be open to possibilities and learning opportunities. Be strategic to identify and hone key skills in your current job or volunteer capacities that you can use to add value to your next job.
Rather than feeling disheartened, remember, “You are not where you want to be… yet.” There is much you can do to get there!
Can My Purpose Change?
Most definitely. As you grow from your experiences, your sense of purpose will change according to the things you deem to be worthwhile and meaningful. This is a good thing because this added self-knowledge will enable you to make decisions in line with the things that you genuinely enjoy and are good at.
All in all, it is important to remember that your pursuit of purpose is a journey. Keep your mind open to new experiences and keep learning from past ones. Find out what the organizations and society needs, develop your skillsets, and be proactive in seeking out opportunities to grow.