Purpose – Clarifying Your View

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

There are at least five key benefits of clarifying, and then living out one’s Purpose - or Calling in life:

1) Discovering your purpose gives deeper meaning to life. We were all created to live out a unique and meaningful purpose – and knowing that purpose will enable/empower you to bear with almost anything life throws your way.  Hellen Keller wrote, “Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”

2) A well-defined purpose simplifies life.  A well-defined purpose becomes the standard to evaluate which activities are essential and which are not - by asking, “Will this activity help fulfill my purposes in life?”  A worthy purpose simplifies.

Without a clear purpose, you have no foundation on which to base decisions, allocate your time, and use your resources.  Instead, you will tend to make choices based on circumstances, pressures, and/or your mood at that moment.

3) A meaningful purpose provides focus.  It is human nature to get distracted by trivial issues.  If you want your life to have impact, focus it on your unique Calling – and never confuse mere “activity” with productivity.  You can be very busy, yet still aimlessly wonder through your day, week, and life.  A clear purpose will concentrate your effort and energy on that which is most important.

In addition, without a defined purpose, you will be temped to keep changing direction/jobs/relationships/churches, or other circumstances – hoping the next change will help find the meaning your life seems to lack. 

4) Knowing your purpose motivates.  Purpose produces passion, for nothing energizes an individual like a clear purpose.  On the other hand, passion will dissipate when one is uncertain…  It is usually

meaningless

work - not overwork - that wears us down, saps our strength, and robs our joy.  George Bernard Shaw wrote, “This is the true joy of life: the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one.”

5) Your purpose will help define your lasting legacy.  Many people spend their lives trying to create a lasting legacy.  Living out your God given purpose will greatly shape what your lasting legacy will be.  Choose your legacy by living out your unique Calling.

** So how can does one define their Calling/Purpose in life?

For at start, take a couple of hours and go off to some beach, park, or quiet corner restaurant booth and dig deep into your heart and write down your thoughts to the following questions:
• When am I most naturally myself? What people, places, and activities allow me to feel most fully myself?
• What is my greatest talent?  What have I always been good at doing?
• What do I love to do?  How can I get paid for doing what I love to do?
• Who are my most inspiring role models? Why is this so?
• How do I enjoy being of service to others?
• What is my heart’s deepest desire?
• What needs do I care about the most?
• What makes me feel most fulfilled?
• What have I felt called to do?
• What legacy would I like to leave?

* Some thoughts above revised from “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren.