Finding your Why in the Proverbial Haystack
We’ve all been told to live day by day, heard the broken record of advice about living each day as if it were our last and to make the absolute fullest use of the 86,400 seconds in our daily vault of time. But what does it look like to live each day with purpose? And how do you single out your calling/s enough to make sense of them? This article won’t be a definitive guide but it might help you realise that not only are you capable of having a permanent impact on the world, you’re meant to.
“…Not only are you capable of having a permanent impact on the world, you’re meant to…”
- Carve out your time.
Ask yourself: if you have 10 years to live, what would you spend your time doing? If you had 1 year left to live, where would your time go? What if you only had one day left- would it change the people you spend time with, where your efforts go and the truths you live out? One of the most precious things we have is time and with the endless possibilities of what we could do with it, it bears the loaded responsibility of choosing wisely. There will come the innate question of prioritising. This is how we realise what we value the most- by simulating a countdown and then realising that this timer is a soft-spoken but genuine reality.
“…It bears the loaded responsibility of choosing wisely…”
2. Bright flame- what ignites you?
When you are at a crossroads, follow the light of your passion and let it guide the way. There is nothing more exhilarating than being knocked back by experiences in the world and letting something you are truly passionate about grip your heart. Until you’ve tossed and turned in bed with ideas speeding through your head, until you’re excited with the role you are playing to pave the way for others to follow, until you find the very thing that fuels your why, don’t slow down.
3. Value value value (and play on your strengths)
If life was a mountain, there would be days where you are leaping and scaling great heights- and days where it feels like you are fingertips away from slipping off the edge of the cliff. Either way, you are making progress and it is a conscious decision how you track your progress and whether you are putting your effort into the place that needs and values your contributions the most or not. Don’t sell yourself short- find out where your strengths will have the most impact and can add the most value.
4. Don’t be the smartest person in the room
One of the most humanistic qualities is our curiosity. To be continually learning and growing alongside our knowledge is to gradually come to realise that our purpose will evolve with us and be shaped by our learning experiences. The art of having an open mind and a willingness to learn is severely undermined in a world where everyone is bursting to get their name out there. Tell yourself this: you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Ask questions. Every piece of advice has a reason and a lesson behind it.
“…The art of having an open mind and a willingness to learn is severely undermined in a world where everyone is bursting to get their name out there...”
