Written by Rebecca McWilliam, Psychologist & Educator
Have you ever felt as if you were running on autopilot? That your days become so similar, or feel as if they are lacking joy. In psychology, we call this languishing. Languishing is a sense of emptiness or stagnation, where you feel as if your days are muddling together. The opposite of languishing (and how we want to live!) is what we call flourishing. Flourishing is where you are living your life aligned with your values and you feel as if you have a greater purpose. Living our purpose is something we all want to achieve; however how do we get started?
Why is living our purpose important?
Living a purposeful life can give us a sense of meaning and direction, and can help us feel fulfilled and satisfied with our lives. However, finding our purpose and living a purposeful life is not always easy. It can take time, effort, and self-reflection. In this article, we will explore ways to live a purposeful life and how to get there.
Finding your purpose
The first step in living a purposeful life is to find your purpose. This can be challenging, and it may take time to discover what it is that truly motivates and inspires you. However, some questions that can help you identify your purpose include:
Image by @lolita.bylolita
Set Goals
Once you have identified your purpose, the next step is to set goals. Setting goals helps you stay focused and motivated on what you want to achieve. When setting goals, make sure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This means that your goals should be clear and concrete, measurable, realistic, aligned with your purpose, and have deadlines (that can be flexible).
Develop a Plan
Once you have set your goals, it's time to develop a plan. A plan will help you identify the steps you need to take to achieve your goals. Some things to consider when developing a plan include:
Take Action
Now that you have a plan, it's time to take action. This means putting in the work and effort to achieve your goals. It's important to stay focused and committed, even when things get tough. Remember, progress is not always linear, and setbacks are a natural part of the process
Reflect and Adjust
As you work towards your goals, it's important to reflect on your progress and adjust your plan if needed. This means taking the time to assess what's working and what's not, and making changes accordingly. It's important to be flexible and adaptable, and to learn from your mistakes. Having a conscious mind here is what makes the difference.
Give back
Living a purposeful life isn't just about achieving your own goals. It's also about giving back to others and making a positive impact in the world. This can involve volunteering, donating to charity, or simply being kind and compassionate to those around you. By giving back, you can help create a better world for everyone.
In conclusion, living a purposeful life requires self-reflection, goal-setting, planning, action, reflection, and giving back. While it may take time and effort, living a purposeful life can help us find meaning and fulfilment, and make a positive impact in the world.
SEE MORE FROM REBECCA
website | rebeccampsychology.com.au
instagram | @psychologistbec
