Surely you’ve heard you’ll be more fulfilled if you align your life with your purpose.
Easier said than done?
Let’s explore “the why” behind that statement and then examine “the how.”
Why You Should Align Your Life With Your Purpose
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Personal Fulfillment
According to many health-related professionals, including Dr. Wayne S. Andersen, co-founder of Take Shape For Life®, fulfillment is critical to our happiness and our health.
My own observation is that fulfillment, happiness, and health are tightly interwoven.
When all three are present, we’re more apt to experience abiding joy as we carry out our life purpose. So says King Solomon:
…a threestrand cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
When all three are present, I feel like I can joyfully carry out the work God has given me to do.
When even one strand of the cord is lacking, however, I experience “psycho-set-backs.”
- I’m less enthusiastic.
- I’m less productive.
- I’m less effective.
Though I wish that were not true, though I wish I were always enthusiastic, productive, and effective, I accept my limitations.
I humbly admit that my own fulfillment, happiness, and health help keep me motivated to do what I am designed to do.
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Mission Fulfillment
That we should align our life with our purpose so we can fulfill our mission seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it?
If we don’t organize our life around what matters most, fulfilling our life mission is but a pipe dream.
Fulfilling our life mission doesn’t “just happen.” We need to be intentional about discerning our life purpose, making it a priority, and carrying it out — with joy.
So, how do we do that? I offer below four ways to get you started.
Four Ways to Align Your Life With Your Purpose
- Identify your top five values and design your days accordingly. Your schedule should reflect what matters most to you.
- Reflect on your top five values each morning when you wake up, each night when you go to bed, and throughout the day whenever you need to make an important decision.
- Pray and Praise. Ask God to give you your “divine assignments” for each day and thank Him for the privilege of serving others.
- Discover what you truly care about by engaging in meaningful activities. Spend time with friends and family exploring nature, taking up a new hobby, preparing healthy foods… God whispers to us in the silence, but He also speaks to us through His Creation.
Like fulfillment, happiness, and health, our body, mind, and spirit are intricately interwoven. When we align our life with our God-given purpose, we are well on our way to living — and carrying out — our God-given mission.
In the comment box below, would you please share one change you can make today to have your schedule reflect your core values?
Thank you and God bless!
Jory, I love your suggestion #3 to ask God each day for my “divine assignments.” Some days I can feel so overwhelmed that I just don’t know where to start. I’m going to pray each morning now for my DA and see what God has to say. Thanks for the great post!
I’m glad you were inspired by it, Kathy.
The overwhelm factor can be so draining. I ask God each day to keep me focused on my “DAs,” and I TRY to do those things that must be done first — even if they’re not the “funnest ones” (which is challenging for people like me!).
I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment.
Come back soon!
Thanks for the article.I like the issue you have started.I need clarity on how exactly do you come to know the purpose of your life?
Thank you, Lancelot. Love your name!
Some people just KNOW their life purpose in their heart, mind, and soul. Some people choose a purpose that seems to be a good fit and pursue it with zeal. Other people search and search their entire lives…never being certain why they are here on earth.
As a certified True Purpose coach, I guide my clients through a process that helps them get clear on who they are at their core and the work they are designed to do. Happy to discuss it with you. Email me at jory@joryfisher.com if you wish to know more.
Thanks again for your comment.
Jory
From the city of Lagos Nigeria, I say a very good morning to you Ma. My name is Samuel ..
If what you like , or what brings you joy is when you put smiles on peoples faces, put food on their tables and make life easier for them generally, but it happens that you yourself are still broke, somehow .. What would you do and how are you supposed to go about it ..?
Good morning, Samuel. You want to serve others in integrity and authenticity. Though you may not want to tell others you can help them put food on their tables if you are struggling to put food on yours, you can still help them put smiles on their faces even in the midst of your own financial (or other) challenges. Many people need to earn a living one way and live out their true purpose, or calling, another. Focus on your duties & responsibilities to your family first. Hopefully, you can find work that pays the bills and gives you joy by living out your purpose each and every day. If not, then find other avenues to serve others with your gifts and talents perhaps through volunteering and/or spreading joy even while you work in an environment that is less than optimal. God bless you, Samuel, and thank you for your comment.