If you don’t dream big enough, you major in minor things. A sad fact of life is that people don’t live to achieve their fullest potential. Most of the time, the act of surviving consumes them. Earning enough to live a comfortable lifestyle takes up all their time. And in the end, they have yet to find meaning and fulfilment in their lives.
What’s wrong here? How is it that people who have a job, with steady income and a comfortable lifestyle, can still find their lives lacking meaning and value? Shouldn’t they be happy because they have money coming in; they can buy and do what they want?
Realize that achieving a life of fulfilment and happiness is not just about making tons of money, enjoying luxuries, and free-time off… that’s only part of it. The other part is what many people miss: It’s about realizing your life’s purpose and acting on it every day. This produces a passion that makes your life worth living. It frees your heart from the binds of meaningless routine work, and gives you a brighter future to look forward to. Everyday will be a new day, where you wake up and say, “This is a day to play!” And off you go, out to make tons of money and live the high life. But this time, you have a purpose in doing so, and that’s why you are happy.
So how do you realize your purpose? How do you know what you can be?
Each of us is unique. Our personalities, desires, and life callings are different. I can’t tell you what your fullest potential is. The word ‘your’ implies that you must decide what fullest potential means to you – what is your soul’s calling? We all have innate potential or greatness that lies dormant within us, until we uncover it and nurture it. Note that I said ‘uncover’, not ‘discover’ because when you discover, it is something new and unknown. But when you uncover, it is realizing potential that has always been there.
To release your potential, you’ve got to have an idea of what it is. You need to have the big picture of your life clearly imagined in your mind. This vision gives you a destination, but doesn’t show you how to get there. That’s fine. We’ll draw our own road map later. Just being able to see this vision is already a major step to realizing your life’s purpose. So how do you get a vision? There are a few methods, and I will suggest some that have worked for me.
**Ways to Get a Vision**
1. Personal Dreamtime
Take some time off, maybe in the evening or on the weekend for a comfortable moment of personal reflection. Put some soothing music into the CD player – the kind that relaxes you and frees your mind. Sit or lie down, your choice.
While you relax, begin by remembering the past. Start when you were young. What were your childhood dreams? What had you always wanted to become? Remember that.
Now, progress through your life as it has unfolded until the present time. Noticing how your dreams have changed. While you do so, feel with your heart for the dream that most inspires you and fills you with wonder. As if you would say, “That’s wonderful or that’s awesome!” This dream is a potential calling.
2. Keep a Record
Memory distorts over time. But you can see your life objectively if you keep a record of it. This record is essential to becoming aware of the big picture of your life as it unfolds everyday. Start a personal journal. Write down your thoughts before bedtime. Take note of what went well today, what you look forward to tomorrow, and what wish to dream about tonight. By steadily collecting your innermost thoughts, you can track your progress through life, seeing if any significant changes have occurred. And if so, for better or for worse?
Take photos of your friends, places you visit, yourself at your best and so on. Photos bring back vivid memories, and are accurate records of your life. If you use a digital camera, you might want to start a journal on your computer. Then you can add photos, video, and audio to your journal. You can also print out your nicely formatted journal to share with friends, or publish it on the Internet.
Recommended Journaling Software: ‘The Journal’ – http://www.e-journal.us
3. Do a Numerological Analysis
Strangely, numerology is a good source of insight when it comes to realizing your purpose in life. The calculations for birth path, destiny number, and name analysis may uncover for you a purpose you had cast aside, but deep in your heart, known all your life. You might find yourself saying, “Hey that’s true… interesting!”
Free and Complete Numerology Reading: http://www.sun-angel.com/numerology
4. Do a Personality Test
Take an MBTI test (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator). You can find free tests on the Internet. Then get this book: “The Millionaire Code – 16 Paths to Wealth Building”, by Paul B. Farrell. It lists each of the 16 MBTI personalities, and how each personality type has built wealth using their own unique characteristics. Check it out!
Free MBTI Test: http://www.humanmetrics.com (click on Jung Typology Test)
As you explore these methods, I suggest you keep a ‘life-purpose folder’. This could simply be a section in your journal, or a file by itself. In it, write down and compile everything about your life’s purpose. Try writing out a vision statement. List out your top ten life goals, and create a long list of what you enjoy doing. Think about how you can make a living doing what you enjoy. Once a month, make it a point to review what you have written. As you look over these precious details, you will gain an overview of your desires and aspirations. Your life’s purpose will become clearer to you. But don’t stop there, keep collecting more insights. You can also add the readings from your personality test, your numerology test and descriptions of what you see in your dreams. All will help to bring you greater clarity and vision in your life.
Once you have an idea of what your purpose and passion could be, start it now! Even if it’s only in a small way… because experience is the greatest teacher. Your experience will tell you whether this is your life’s purpose. Does it ignite the passion in you? You need to try out your purpose and see if it fits! Think of a job you can volunteer for, or a special project you can start on your own. By starting it now, you are giving yourself the opportunity to experience living your purpose.
At the end of your life, you are going to look back on all that you’ve done. Your greatest achievements and your happiest moments. You want to be able to say, “Yes, I’ve lived a great life. I’m grateful for everything life has given me.” And to do that, you need to start now. Get that journal, do those tests, and write down those thoughts… because you’re getting older, and you need to uncover your purpose to live a happier, more fulfilling life.
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