New Year, True You: How To Find Your Purpose In 2024
The new year just rolled in and everyone's social media essays sound so inspiring. At the same time, perhaps you feel a twinge of envy - why does it seem like the people around you have it all figured out? The life that you thought you would have by now hasn’t yet materialized and no one told you it was going to be this way. Maybe you feel a little empty, a little lost. But you know you still have a lot of fight left in you and refuse to give up on yourself. If you want to reclaim your old purpose or find a new one, here are a few things you can do right now to get you started!
1. Reflect and Acknowledge
Start by reflecting on your past experiences, both the triumphs and the setbacks. Acknowledge your feelings about these events. It’s okay to feel disappointed or hurt, but remember, every experience is a stepping stone, not a stumbling block. Journaling can be a powerful tool for this process. Be brutally honest, if you can, because that’s how you can begin to untangle the knots in your head.
2. Seek Out Your Passions
Think about the activities that make you lose track of time, the topics you could read about for hours, or the dreams that light up your eyes. These are clues to your passions. Don’t worry if they don’t seem ‘practical’ at first. Passion is the fuel for purpose. You don’t need to make money or be at pro-level in what you’re passionate about; I’ve made this mistake myself and ended up being burned out. Instead, think of your passionate pursuits as a battery. It’s what gives you energy to tackle life’s daily challenges. This is why I have multiple hobbies!
3. Experiment and Explore
Give yourself permission to try new things without the pressure of being perfect. Attend workshops, volunteer, join online communities, or start a small project. Get out of your comfort zone, and try to remove the “I’m not this kind of person” mentality when you explore new things. This process of experimentation is crucial in discovering what you actually like versus what other people think you should like. I guarantee that you will surprise yourself!
4. Connect with Others
Often, our purpose is found in connection with others. Talk to people from different walks of life, seek mentors, or join groups with similar interests. Listening to diverse perspectives can open new paths and ideas you might not have considered before. I know that it’s easier to keep within one’s existing circle, but most of the time I find that is why people don’t grow - because their friends and family have not grown as well. They may change but not necessarily evolve.
5. Embrace Learning and Growth
Adopt a growth mindset. View challenges as opportunities to learn rather than signs of failure. Remember, every successful person has faced setbacks. It’s not the absence of failure but the response to it that defines your path. Keep going even if - especially if - it’s hard. Behind that wall is the thing you need to learn to get to the next level up.
6. Set Small, Achievable Goals
Most of us make the mistake of setting a big, hairy, audacious goal at the start and give up because it seems too impossible. I know I’ve done this too. This is why it’s important to break down your larger aspirations into small, achievable goals. This makes your journey more manageable and less overwhelming! Celebrate each small victory – they are significant steps towards your larger purpose.
7. Look for the Intersection
Your purpose often lies at the intersection of what you love (your passion), what you are good at (your vocation), what the world needs (your mission), and what you can be paid for (your profession) - that’s ikigai. It's not just about finding a job or a hobby, it's about discovering what makes you leap out of bed each morning with enthusiasm. Ikigai is that sweet spot where your personal desires align with your skills and contributions. It's about embracing and nurturing what makes you unique, and sharing that gift with the world. Isn't that just the most beautiful way to approach life and work?
8. Stay Open to Change
People change all the time, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worst. We are never exactly the same person as we were even just a year ago. You have to accept the fact that the things you held true before are still true for you now. It’s okay to change your mind and be a different person! What’s important is that you harness this change into something positive in the long run. Be aware as it happens and calibrate your plans to accommodate these changes, rather than stop them from happening.
9. Practice Self-Compassion
Be kind to yourself. Finding your purpose is not a race, and it most certainly doesn’t have a deadline. You’re not being graded for it either so try to stop yourself from feeling like everyone is just watching and waiting for you to make a mistake. It’s normal to feel uncertain and to have doubts! What’s important is that you do your best, every day. Keep trying until you figure it out. I wish I can say something more profound, but so much of it is just being consistent in your efforts and constantly evaluating and then learning from them. That’s really it.
Hopefully, if you practice these nine things consistently, you’ll be able to realize what it is that you can do to impact the world in a positive way.
Finding your purpose is a deeply personal journey. It’s not about having all the answers right now; it’s about being open to discovery and growth. In 2024, let’s embark on this journey with hope, curiosity, and the courage to explore new horizons. You have a beautiful path ahead of you, and every step, no matter how small, is a part of your extraordinary story. 🌟
