Purpose

I grew up thinking purpose was serious business. It was a calling. It would come as an external moment of enlighted truth. It would be the one thing you were born to do. Here is the question I never considered. What if the universe doesn’t call?

Mostly, it doesn’t call. Eighty percent of people never discover their purpose. As one of those purposeless people, I wonder if we need to rethink how we define purpose.

Maybe we should think of purpose more as play rather than as a singular calling. Play is doing an activity simply for its intrinsic enjoyment. Play allows us to explore, to discover what interests us, to learn skills, to gain knowledge, and to build friendships.

A child (and most adults) doesn’t require external motivation to play. Unless you (the parent) define their play activity. Then it’s no longer play.

If you follow the breadcrumbs of your various play activities, you may gain a clearer sense of your purpose.

Whenever possible inject more play elements in those activities you define as your core purpose.

Passion

There are some who believe passion is over-rated. That it’s not needed to build a business or career.

They’re wrong.

The definition of passion is strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept. Sometimes passion can invoke a deep emotional feeling. However, passion over time is more like an magnet always pulling us into an activity we love to do.

Passion is the glue connecting you to your purpose.

General observations:

1. Your purpose may be something other than work: a hobby, volunteering, or family.
2. Purpose can change or evolve. When you retire, consider redefining your purpose.
3. Your purpose is unique to you.
4. Purpose is doing activities – it’s not a abstract thought process.
5. Don't live another person's purpose, including your parents or your own shouldas (telling self you should do something you loath). A purpose works only if you can integrate it into who you are.

Some simple rules about purpose:

1. Focus on your activities to gain a better understanding of what you like or hate doing. Even if you have a profession you enjoy, focus on understanding each activity may lead you to focus on certain activities that provides more enjoyment and potentually more opportunities.
2. Do actual quick experiments before committing yourself to an activity.
3. Eliminate, minimize, delegate, automate, trade, or outsource activities you loath doing.
4. Identify the core activities essential to your success and purpose. Become an expert on those activities. If you are starting a business, you should be able to teach those activities to your employees.
5. At least 20% of your daily routine should include activities you enjoy doing. Doing those activities daily reduces burnout and increases your well-being.