Part 2 of 3: Know Your Why
There’s no greater gift than to honor your life’s calling.
It’s why you were born. And how you become most truly alive.
Oprah Winfrey
Welcome to the second installment of this three part series, 3 Strategies Successful People Use to Leverage Personal Awareness to Live a Life of Purpose.
If you will remember in the first installment, many of the obstacles you encounter in your life are the result of the opinions and beliefs of others you have unintentionally embraced as your own. The importance of understanding yourself was discussed in part one, as were the benefits of being able to identify and articulate your identity, in order to be able to present your best self to others. In part two the importance of knowing why you do the things that you do is discussed.
Without a true understanding of ourselves, why we make the decisions we make, and without a realization we have a choice we can blindly exist in a life that feels meaningless, empty, and unfulfilling.
“When you know your WHY.
You will know your WAY.”
Michael Hyatt
Step one towards living a life on purpose is knowing yourself and step two is knowing your why. Initially we all knew where we were going but somewhere along the way, most of us, have forgotten. And for those who invest in themselves the answers become clear and life becomes easier to navigate.
Successful people, the ones we look at that seem to have it all, understand the value in knowing why they make the choices they make. They have experienced the challenges of maintaining an authentic identity within a culture that encourages them to blindly follow the crowd. With an understanding of their purpose they are unstoppable in a culture that encourages conformity. In their why, they find the courage to pursue their dreams and leave a legacy they are proud of.
Successful people understand knowing their why provides oil to their creative and imaginative life engine. It is what gives their skills and talents meaning. It takes what they have to offer and catapults it into the ether with such determination that they have no other choice other than to be successful.
Successful people, with an understanding of their why, find the courage to push themselves out into the world with a commitment to make a difference. They are able to take actions that intentionally align with their values and their strengths. Unlike many of us they do not go through life aimlessly without a plan. They choose to support their own agendas and dreams. They support their own passions and purpose and as a result successful people are more likely to experience less stress because they are able to embrace healthier outlook on life.
You cannot uncover your why until you know what you have to offer, what you enjoy, the environment you are comfortable in, and the types of people you like to spend time with. Your why is an extension of your personality, how you choose to express yourself and how you interact with the world in a meaningful and satisfying way. It is important to know that your skills and talents alone will not allow you to design a meaningful existence.
“The two most important days in your life are
the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
Mark Twain
Understanding your values and what is important to you allows you to identify your purpose. This knowledge allows you to express yourself honestly through your decisions and actions which in turn brings a feeling of fulfillment and gratitude. It is this feeling of contentment that confirms if you are on the right path.
When you understand why something is important to you, you are able to shape your goals accordingly. You create a sense of direction that provides a new found level of meaning and satisfaction. When you are feeling satisfied with your life it spills out into all areas of your life in a positive and constructive way. An investment in yourself makes you a better employer, a better employee, a better partner, a better friend, etc. An investment in yourself is one of the most selfless things you can do.
Identifying your why not only allows you to include activities that bring you satisfaction but it also lets you stop doing things that don’t fill you up. You begin to avoid people and situations that don’t support your wellbeing. This is why a personal investment is so important to a fulfilling life.
“A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed
at night and in between does what he wants to do.”
Bob Dylan
Discovering your why takes time and effort but the investment is worth it. The happiest people are those who have
invested in themselves. Much like frowning uses more muscles than smiling, it takes way more work to remain unhappy than it does to take the actions to be happy. Being happing, feeling fulfilled is a choice. Your choice. It means intentionally diverting your attention and actions back to yourself.
Just as life is not static and your life continues to be on a learning continuum. Unhappiness and restlessness is driven by the status quo, by not investing the time to know what you want out of life. With a clear understanding of who you are and what is important to you the restlessness begins to fade. You stop looking for that missing piece and you begin to seek out new opportunities with confidence and purpose. You will begin to believe your actions have value and that you are making a difference.
It allows you become an observer in life rather than a critic. When your needs are being met you refrain from judging others and the path they have chosen. You attract different people, different experiences, build stronger connections, and become a role model that others wish to duplicate. You literally become the change you wish to see in the world and that is something we can all benefit from.
If you can see value in self-discovery I encourage you not to wait any longer. Make yourself and your dreams a priority. There is a peace that comes from leading a purpose driven life but I remind you, this life won’t come looking for you. Reclaiming your authenticity is your personal responsibility but I can assure you the inner work is so very worth it. I know because I have done it.
“Clarify your purpose.
What is the why behind everything you do?
When we know this in life or design
it is very empowering and the path is clear.”
Jack Canfield
Watch for 3 Successful People Use to Leverage Personal Awareness to Live a Life of Purpose Part 3 of 3: Know You Have Choices.
Tammy Adams loves to problem solve, inspire and motivate others who are ready and committed to change. Tammy has spent over 30 years in the field of education and as a certified coach Tammy teaches individuals to challenge and conquer their limiting beliefs and insecurities to create the life of their choosing. As an Advanced Grief Recovery Method® Specialist Tammy understands that unresolved grief can limit an individual’s capacity for happiness and is gifted at supporting individuals through the pain and isolation cause by an emotional loss, of any kind, to a place of happiness they believed no longer existed. “Tammy helped me unpack the baggage and put a smile on my face in the process. It’s a rare quality for someone to fully listen without judgement but yet still steer you in the right direction.” She lives in Paris with her husband where she enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, and creating colourful mandalas. “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.”
www.tadams.ca