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How to Find Clarity and Purpose in Life
Most of the time we find ourselves coasting through life. Sometimes that works because things are going well. And then there are those times where things fall apart...life becomes chaotic, frustrating, and perhaps even feels out of control.
Why Clarity and Purpose Are Pivotal
It is in these key moments (when it hits the fan or when we are stuck) where we must hit pause and make space to find our clarity and purpose once again. Even if you have done this work before, it is always a good idea to keep this current.
The only guarantee in life is that change is constant. Therefore, we have to update our views, beliefs, reactions, and our clarity and purpose as things perpetually shift. When we keep in touch with our clarity and purpose, we are able to continuously make choices that get us closer to our ideal state. We are able to say yes to the right things and no to the things that are distractions (not getting us closer to our goals).
And with stress on the rise, it is now more important than ever to have more natural solutions that address the root of the problem. When you are clear on what you want to do with your life, what you want to be remembered for, and what you want to focus on next, you wake up each day with purpose.
Having purpose helps reduce stress because now you feel like your life matters and because of that you feel connected to your community. Now you are an even more valuable contributor as your share your story and your gifts with the world.
Stress Statistics, The Flip Side of Clarity
- Almost one-third of those surveyed say they visited a doctor about something stress-related.
- 57 percent of the survey respondents say they are paralyzed by stress; 43 percent say they are invigorated by stress.
- 59 percent of baby boomers have never been diagnosed with a mental health issue; 52 percent of Gen Zers already have been.
- Just over a third of all respondents say their job or career is a regular source of stress. Among millennials and Gen Zers, the chronically work-stressed rises to 44 percent.
- 52 percent of respondents say financial issues regularly stress them out, well above the 35 percent who cited jobs and careers as the next most common stressor.
- 47 percent of all respondents - with women and men almost evenly matched - say that their response to stress is to take it out on themselves.
With these daunting statistics, it is critical that we find new solutions to cope with stress. We must shift our outlook and take back some semblance of control. The first step in doing so is to get clear on what we personally desire in our lives.
I am not saying that with clarity you will never experience stress. However, I believe your perspective and reactions to stressful situations will be less extreme. Because you have your clarity guiding you like an internal compass, you won't allow stressors to throw you off course. You will get back on track more quickly and with more ease.
How Do I Get Clear?
If you are overly stressed, feeling overwhelmed, or perhaps lost or even bored, then this is for you. Finding your clarity and purpose is the first step to freedom from those negative emotions and to breaking free.
5 Steps to Finding Your Clarity & Purpose
Step One
Commit to making the time to uncover your clarity & purpose
Set aside at least 5-15 minutes a day to reflect, journal, think, meditate, or visualize what you dream of, want, and desire for your life.
Pro Tip: schedule these times in your calendar and set alerts so you keep the commitment and don't forget.
Step Two
Experiment with what strategies are best for you to get clear
Try out meditation, journaling, visualization, thinking time, thinking walks, take an online quiz, schedule a solo brain storming session, etc. Whatever works for you, make it happen. Try a bit of everything and see what works best for you.
Step Three
Share what you uncover with a friend or a loved one
Once you start to get ideas or clarity, begin sharing this with loved ones. See what they have to say. Sometimes in conversation and community we get new insights and ideas that are part of our clarity and purpose.
Step Four
Once become clear, write out your big 5 life goals and top 3 career/business goals.
Create a visual that you will reference daily that clearly shows your big 5 life goals. Life goals should reflect your priorities as well.
Checking in with your priorities is a good way to ensure you are on the right track. If you are in business or have a career, write out your top 3 goals in that area of life and make sure they align with your big 5 life goals.
Step Five
Tap into your clarity and big 5 goals daily
The more you check in with your purpose daily, the better you can stay on course and make good decisions. We want to grow at least 1% each day. This means consistently making choices that align with our goals. This ensures our success and ongoing growth.
Visualize to Find Clarity
Many of my clients find visualization to be the most powerful way to get and stay clear on their purpose in life. Instead of wishing or hoping for the future you want, use visualization as a powerful way to direct your life with intention.
Steps to Visualization:
- Find a space where you can be still and quiet for 5-15 minutes.
- Sit on a cushion or in a chair. Sit with a tall spine and relax your body.
- Shift your focus to your breath. Breathe in slowly and deeply.
- Begin to slow your thoughts. Allow them to pass by like clouds. Acknowledge & let them float by.
- Once you feel grounded and calm, begin to connect with your intuition and your heart.
- Ask your intuition and heart to guide you. Ask yourself, what do I want? What do I dream of? What should I do next?
- Don't rush the process. Simply sit with the questions, one at a time. Wait for a response and listen with curiosity.
- As the answers come to you, try to feel into the experience of what you desire. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? What do you taste? What do you intuit?
- Dial up your senses and really soak up the experience.
- When you are ready, slowly release the visualization and come back to your breath and then back to the space you are sitting in.
When you first start the practice of visualization it may not be easy. You can find guided visualizations online to help you if you feel stuck. Some days our minds are particularly active and we may find it challenging to focus. That is ok. Showing up to the practice is what matters most.
I highly recommend giving yourself some time and space to journal. Reflect on what came up for you. If there are any action steps you want to commit to for the day, write those down. Schedule those action steps and ask for accountability.
Visualization provides us with continued clarity. However, it still requires us to use this as a compass and take the actions to get us to where we want to be.
Not Convinced? Check out the benefits of personal clarity.
The Benefits of Clarity
- Acts as our personal guide or internal compass, telling us what to say yes and no to
- Builds our confidence and resilience especially when we have a big dream or goal
- Connects us with our intuition, heart, and spirit
- Allows us to live life full out, not holding back nor living a half life
- Helps us develop our own definition of success and a life well lived
- Gives us freedom from others expectations as they may not align with our purpose or calling
- Is the first step to personal growth and transformation
I hope this list of benefits and these strategies to help you uncover your clarity have you excited and feeling empowered. I personally use visualization and tapping into my purpose daily as a way to remain motivated and on my own personal path to growth, transformation, and success.
Your Purpose for 2019
I would love to hear what you have uncovered in finding your clarity and purpose this year. What big dreams and goals are you running after? How do you want to impact your community? How do you want to show up for your children and family each day? What lights your ambition and heart on fire?
Please contact me. I can't wait to hear what you have uncovered!
A key step in the journey of transformation and running after big dreams is to share with your community. I encourage you to share your purpose and clarity with your friends and loved ones.
Need Support?
Sometimes finding clarity and purpose can feel overwhelming or daunting. And sometimes we just need someone to guide us through the process. You are not alone. Most of my clients feel this way. I am here to partner with you in creating attainable action steps side by side to get you to your desired destination. The first step on that journey is finding your clarity and purpose.
If you need coaching support, please schedule a complimentary Total Transformation Discovery session with me today.
