Do you ever feel like you’re just going through the motions of life without a clear sense of purpose? Finding your life purpose can be a challenging and rewarding journey. You might find your life purpose early in life or it may take time. Here are some inspiring examples of life purposes that may help guide you towards discovering your own path.
I have found that finding true purpose or life purpose is a journey of exploration, investing time and learning about your likes and dislikes, what you stand for and what you value. For me, it has changed as my commitments including work and family and my environment have changed. Despite the changes in my life some actions and values have not changed. My commitment to helping others to learn and develop skills is a constant throughout my life, as a mother, friend, work colleague, blogger, coach and mentor.
What is life’s purpose?
Your life purpose is what drives you each day, to do what you do. It is why you get up each morning.
Your life purpose can be connected to your career, it may be something you do as a volunteer or it may be helping your family and friends. Life purpose can also be found through spirituality and can change as your priorities and focus change in life.
Life’s purpose is about sharing your gifts with others, to bring them joy or help them on their life’s journey.
Inspiring Life Purpose Examples
Becoming a teacher to inspire and educate future generations.
For some, their life purpose is to become a teacher and inspire and educate future generations. Teachers have the ability to shape young minds and make a positive impact on their students’ lives. Whether it’s teaching in a traditional classroom setting or through alternative methods like online courses or tutoring, becoming a teacher can be a fulfilling way to live out your life purpose.
I wonder, how many people as children decided that when they grew up they wanted to be a teacher, because of an inspiring teacher they had. I can’t recall wanting to be a primary or high school teacher but while living in Switzerland I taught English as a second language. It was great helping adults learn English.
Being a mentor
Being a mentor is inspiring as you help others with specific areas of their life or help them overcome specific challenges. There are many ways to become a mentor with community groups, universities and organisations often requesting people to share their expertise. Being a mentor helps others unlock their potential.
An example of a wonderful mentor program that helps the vulnerable is big brothers big sisters of Australia.
At different times throughout life, I’ve had different mentors. Some mentors I’ve met with personally to learn new skills, others I’ve followed their guidance through their online teachings, seminars or books. Success magazine and Jim Rohn were early mentors providing guidance as I grew personally and professionally.
“The heart of human excellence often begins to beat when you discover a pursuit that absorbs you, frees you, challenges you, or gives you a sense of meaning, joy, or passion.”
Terry Orlick
Creating art that inspires and brings joy to others.
Some people find their life purpose is to create art that inspires and brings joy to others. This can take many forms, from painting and sculpture to music and dance. Artists have the ability to evoke emotions and connect with people on a deep level through their work. Whether it’s creating pieces that reflect their own experiences or using their talents to bring attention to social issues, artists can make a meaningful impact on the world around them.
Starting a business that solves a problem and improves people’s lives.
Many people find their life purpose in entrepreneurship, creating a business that solves a problem and improves people’s lives. This can take many forms, from developing new technology to providing a service that fills a gap in the market. By identifying a need and creating a solution, entrepreneurs can make a significant impact on their community and beyond. An example of successful purpose-driven businesses includes TOMS shoes, which donate a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased.
Starting a non-profit organization to help those in need.
Another inspiring life-purpose example is starting a non-profit organization to help those in need. This can involve addressing a specific issue, such as hunger, homelessness, or access to education, and creating programs or initiatives to address it. Non-profit organizations can make a significant impact on their communities and beyond and can be a fulfilling way to give back and make a difference. A successful non-profit organization includes Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
Helping others through volunteer work.
For some individuals, their life purpose involves helping others through volunteer work. This can include working with vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, or those experiencing homelessness. There are so many different ways you can volunteer. Volunteering is also a great way to get to know people and be involved in your community.
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Helping others through a career in social services or health.
Many people have rewarding careers, but a career in the social services sector or health can be very rewarding. Examples of careers in social services or health include nursing, social work, case management, counselling, and community outreach. By dedicating their time and skills to helping others, individuals can find a sense of fulfilment and purpose in their lives.
While taking care of others in the social services and health industries, I’ve found it very important to practice self-care so as not to burn out. Our careers may be rewarding but without looking after ourselves we cannot look after others.
Being there for your family
Being there for your family is an example of life’s purpose. To be a caring mother and support your children need growing up, a role model and confidant. Being also there to help extended family or the listening ear for a family member.
Taking care of animals
I’ve met many people who simply love animals and help with looking after injured wildlife or pets for other people. There are many community groups that you can become a member of to assist with looking after animals.
Expressing kindness or doing a good deed daily.
Life’s purpose can be simply expressing kindness to others. Kindness brings joy not only to the receiver but also to yourself the giver. It costs nothing to be kind. Kindness can be through expression, a gesture, a few words or a helping hand.
Other life purpose examples may include;
- healthy relationships
- investing in looking after your health and promoting health
- finding security in the home or helping the homeless
- travelling and exploring new places
How to find your life purpose?
Reflect on your life, your personal values, what brings you joy and happiness and what makes you want to jump out of bed each morning.
Journal about your dreams and aspirations.
Use reflective journaling to discover what matters the most to you.
Use the power of visualisation
When you picture your life, how do you see yourself? Imagine your ideal day and write about what you see or create a vision board of what you wish to achieve.
Tell people about your life purpose
Talk to family, friends, your coach or your mentor, and share with them what you would like to achieve in life. When you verbalise your aspirations it helps you clarify what’s important to you. Talking about your life goals with someone you trust can help you process action steps that lead you closer to fulfilling your life’s goal.
Relax and dream
Get comfortable and dream about what you would like to achieve and how you would feel if you achieved that dream. Chances are when you are imagining like this, you are only doing what you really like. Allow yourself to dream.
Where would you live?
What would you do for a living?
Who would you help?
How would you spend your days?
Where would you go on holiday, and what sort of home would you live in? You get the picture, just relax and visualise your ideal life. Like Walt Disney said, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
“If you can tune into your purpose and really align with it, setting goals so that your vision is an expression of that purpose, then life flows much more easily.”
Jack Canfield
The signs you have found your life purpose
I’ve discovered your life purpose does not just jump out at you. You do need to invest time to take note of what you like, don’t like and what aligns with your personal values. The signs you have discovered your life purpose may include;
- You wake up excited about the new day because you love your work.
- You have lots of energy and are energised by your work.
- The care factor feels so meaningful in the work you are doing.
- Your work feels so natural to you as if it is the job you are meant to be doing. It aligns with your personal values.
- With every obstacle you face, you resolve it with the ‘I get to‘ attitude. The ‘I get to’ attitude is more positive using internal motivation versus the ‘I have to’ attitude where you feel obligated to do something.
- Earning an income from the work you do is the by-product, not the reason.
- You invest in personal development and skills because you want to, not because you have to.
- You enjoy and live a balanced life as your life purpose is intertwined with your values.
Although some people have a life goal to leave a legacy and live their life’s purpose, you can live a happy and fulfilling life without ever finding your personal life purpose.
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