Life Purpose Inventory: Questions to Get You Thinking

Why am I here and what am I supposed to be doing?

Why am I here and what am I supposed to be doing?

These questions—and their related variations—are eternal. They are also essential. Life is tricky and it can get heavy. If you’re not careful, it can drag you down and keep you down. Having purpose is what empowers you. It gets you off the canvas and back in the fight.

Why Do You Need to Know Your Life Purpose?

Some people may declare that they have enough purpose in the everyday life they were given. Thus, it’s helpful to not see the phrase “your life purpose” as part of a pressurized competition. Making the effort to discover your life purpose is a powerful step towards creating a new starting point for yourself. If you are at point A and your purpose is waiting for you at point B, that trip has to start somewhere at some time.

Thinking about your life purpose leads you to an intentional point of departure. From there, your mission begins. You rise each morning with purpose. You close your eyes each night knowing you’ve done the work.

6 Questions to Get You Thinking about Your Life Purpose

1. How Important is Income to Me?

It goes without saying that we all need to make money, pay bills, and create some kind of financial safety net. But different paths lead you towards different economic likelihoods. Hence, you need to seriously assess your materialistic drive. This is not a judgment. Rather, it’s an observation that will profoundly shape your path.

2. What Drives and Energizes Me?

As mentioned above, purpose is about rising each morning with a sense of mission. Do you bolt out of bed, raring to go? Or do you drag yourself into work each day? Your mind and body answer this question for you, do your best to pay attention. Tune into yourself and get a better sense of what lights you up.

3. What is Worth Making Sacrifices For?

Except in very rare instances, there are no free lunches. Everything comes with a cost. There are many trade-offs in life. This is why you must know what purpose is worth the sacrifices you may be required to make.

4. Who Are My Role Models?

Innovation and uniqueness are irreplaceable. But this doesn’t mean we have to re-invent the proverbial wheel. Seek out those who have blazed similar paths and learn from them. Emulate them. Benefit from the journey they’ve already taken. Success leaves clues. You are wise to follow them.

5. Who Do I Want to Help?

Couple this question with “How can I help them?” There is no success that does not involve gratitude and giving back. And nothing reflects “purpose” like actively reaching out to make a difference in someone’s life. Consider this question to be foundational in your search for purpose.

6. How Much Am I Willing to Evolve, Grow, and Learn?

Finding your life purpose initially involves a willingness to grow. But there’s another factor that doesn’t get enough attention. Determining your purpose is not necessarily a linear path. The entire journey is a process. How willing are you to question your current situation, challenge your thoughts and make real changes?

Bonus Question: What if You Can’t “Discover” Your Life Purpose?

Fortunately, there’s no rule that says you can’t ask for some help in finding answers.

Your life, in many ways, is a product of those you spend time with. The people you trust and bond with help shape you and your path. Working with a counselor is a fine example of this process.

A few therapy sessions might provide fertile ground for new ideas and perspectives. Brainstorming and exploring in a safe encouraging environment is a powerful way to learn more about yourself and your potential. Contact me soon for a consultation. Together we can seek out your life purpose.

wh

Women's Mental Health

Women's mental health

Healthy Women 2018

Each year Mother's Day kicks off National Women's Health Week and what better way to celebrate than to explore Women's mental health for an overall sense of well-being and healthy lifestyle.  I talk about the Mental Health Toolbox frequently and that's because I believe in and advocate for intentional self-care. The toolbox can be a tangible kit or it can be abstract. Either way, one of the best tools we can put in that toolbox is the ability to purge our thoughts.

Getting Started

I strongly recommend developing the therapeutic habit of journalling. This can be done in many many ways that can be creative and fun as well as enlightening for an overall sense of positive well-being. To improve women's mental health as well as assist the evolutionary process, I encourage my clients to develop a routine or practice to their journalling to track progress or stagnation. Once we develop a habit we're more likely to continue using it. Here's some videos with ideas that might inspire you to get started or will help fine tune your current journalling practice.

Topic Ideas for Journalling

One of the challenges many of my clients say they have is "what do I write about"? And my answer is ANYTHING!! Anything that comes across your mind. Now for me, that's super easy but for some that can be a struggle. Here's some topic ideas that could give you a blank canvas of writing to self-discovery that's can be super therapeutic.

Bullet Journalling

One of the most fun ways to explore yourself is through bullet journalling. I'm actually working with a local small business in Kansas City who is helping me to develop a self-care journal that I will make available to my clients as well as to others who are interested in beginning the process of journalling. Take a look at this video to get some ideas on how to get started.

Women's Mental Health

As women we must be consistent with our self-care. We have to utilize tools in our toolbox and we have to continually add new tools. We have to seek out support. We have to empower other women into being the best version of who they are. We have to be patient, kind and loving to ourselves and to others. The most important thing is to get started. If you’d like to talk more about the benefit of journalling, let’s connect through my 30-minute complimentary consultation.

I know you can do this. I believe in you!

wh