Once upon a time, I believed that a stable, respectable job with a steady paycheck was the pinnacle of success.
Four years into that job, I found myself still scratching my head, wondering what the heck I genuinely wanted from life.
The truth is, not everyone wins the life-purpose lottery right out of the gate.
Even when we think we’ve got it all figured out, the goalposts keep shifting, leaving us chasing our tails time and time again.
Then one day, like a bolt of lightning, a revelation hit me while I was listening to “Everybody’s Free To Wear Sunscreen” by Baz Luhrmann.
I’ve mentioned the song before, but there’s another line in it that’s been haunting my thoughts lately.
If you haven’t basked in the wisdom of this delightful tune—packed with advice for living a happier life—now’s your chance:
And here are the lines that have been dancing in my mind:
… Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life.
The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives.
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don’t…
Everybody’s Free To Wear Sunscreen by Baz Luhrmann
Wise words, indeed.
So don’t sweat it if you haven’t found your life’s purpose just yet.
But here’s the thing: even though it’s okay not to have everything figured out, life feels a whole lot steadier when we’re working towards meaningful goals.
I’ve previously shared one starting point for those “I have no clue what I’m doing” moments.
And here’s another intriguing way to approach your life’s purpose:
When we feel stuck and frustrated, it might just be that we’re unsure of what to do with our lives.
The Universal Truth Almost Everyone Knows
We all have a crystal-clear picture of what we DON’T want our lives to look like.
We’d move heaven and earth to keep certain things from happening.
Our aspirations, goals, and dreams might differ, but when it comes to the things we dread, we’re pretty much on the same page.
Here’s a rundown of the most common nightmares we’d do anything to escape.
Sprint Light-Years Away from These 3 Life Horrors
The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.
Jordan Belfort
1. Run Away from Financial Insecurity and Embrace Abundance
Anyone who’s ever teetered on the edge of poverty knows it’s a soul-crushing experience.
Struggling to meet basic needs shatters your spirit, leaving you feeling like an outcast in society.
Worse still, poverty can wreak havoc on your physical and mental well-being.
Sure, some folks grapple with severe psychological issues.
But for most of us, boosting our overall happiness starts with fixing life’s sticky situations.
And poverty is a real nightmare.
If you’re stumped about your life’s purpose, why not pursue financial independence as a worthy goal?
Go all-in to plant yourself firmly on the opposite end of the poor, broke, or impoverished spectrum.
Land a job, aim for promotion, learn new skills, devour books, level up your value, launch your business, or become a money maestro: save and invest.
Above all, learn to love and respect money.
Understand how it can empower you to live fearlessly.
2. Evade the Trap of Poor Health and Pursue Wellness
We’re all too familiar with the obesity crisis and its ties to life-threatening conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Despite knowing the secrets to staying fit and healthy, shedding pounds feels like scaling Everest, even when we know it boils down to food and exercise.
Here’s a question worth pondering:
Do we live to eat, or do we eat to live?
Our ancestors, who only ate when hungry, would be baffled by our habits.
Now, eating is a pastime.
We munch when we’re:
- hungry,
- happy,
- sad,
- depressed,
- bored,
- anxious, or
- just because.
It’s a wonder we only chow down six times a day.
By studying nutrition, redirecting our focus to learning, and becoming more mindful of food’s impact on our bodies, we can take control.
Combine that with exercise to push back against ageing and stay vibrant and healthy.
Aim to create the healthiest version of yourself and live independently—ageing well is a goal worth striving for.
3. Flee from the Clutches of Distractions, Isolation, and Loneliness to Forge Meaningful Connections
Technology has revolutionised every aspect of our lives, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
In a world where connection is at an all-time high, one in 20 people still reports feeling lonely.
Social media, in particular, has reshaped global communication, making our world seem smaller.
But it’s a double-edged sword.
We’re drowning in instant gratification, shallow friendships, fleeting interactions, endless distractions, isolation, and growing loneliness.
Choose to cultivate meaningful relationships with friends, family, and your community, and nurture your mental well-being.
Final Thoughts: Charting a Fulfilling Life Path
Fleeing from the things you don’t want can be the compass that points you toward what you truly desire.
When searching for your life’s purpose, consider the power of escaping these three pitfalls.
Work tirelessly to distance yourself from them.
You’ll discover a new path in life brimming with happiness and fulfilment.
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- Why Everyone can be a Life Coach
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- 6 Steps to Live with Intention: Live Intentionally Not Habitually
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