You need to find your purpose, they say…
You need to follow your passion, they say…
You need to determine your “why”, they say …
But sometimes it isn’t all that easy. It’s not easy to figure out exactly what your “why” is. Sometimes we feel stuck and we’re not even sure what our purpose and passion are, let alone follow them.
And sometimes we know exactly what we would like to be doing, but circumstances don’t allow it. There are bills to be paid, a family to take care of, and that company-funded health insurance sure comes in handy with a couple of rambunctious toddlers in the house.
What do you do in either of those situations? The first thing you do is take your time. As important as finding your purpose is, it isn’t something you need to rush into. Take the time to examine who you are, what you’re good at and who you could help or sever. Who are the people that could benefit from your unique set of experiences and qualifications? What do you feel called to?
Once you know what your calling or your purpose is, start planning the rest of your life around it. That doesn’t mean you need to hand in your two week notice. Instead, learn as much as you can about turning your passion or your calling into something that will also pay the bills. Maybe that means looking for a different job. Maybe that means going back to school. Maybe that means figuring out how to run your own business.
Start slow and work on things part-time. Set aside some money as a safety cushion while you make the switch. Then, and only then, go ahead and start moving towards your calling.
Yes, it’s a lot of change and it can seem daunting at first. Don’t let that intimidate you. Just take it one step at a time, keep your eye on the goal, and you’ll get there before you know it. And believe me, it will be well worth in the end.
Once you make the switch and go through all the scary changes and challenges that following your purpose brings with it, you’ll be more satisfied with where your life is going and how you’re choosing to spend your time. In other words, you’ll be happier and that is a worthy end goal, isn’t it?
