How I Mastered My Life Because of Unemployment
Embracing change and reinventing my life during tough times
Have you ever found yourself questioning the direction of your life and wondering what your true purpose is? I know I have.
In this blog post, I’ll share my personal journey of self-discovery during a period of unemployment and the powerful impact of creating a personal mission statement. Through my experience and the lessons, I learned from Stephen R. Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I hope to inspire and guide you in finding your own purpose. Read on to discover my story and learn practical tips for creating your personal mission statement.
A Wake-Up Call from “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”
Imagine this: you’re walking into a funeral home. As you step inside, you notice the lovely flowers and hear gentle organ music playing. You see the familiar faces of your friends and family, all gathered to mourn a loss and celebrate the life of the person who has passed. As you make your way to the front and take a look inside the casket, you’re surprised to find yourself lying there. This is your funeral, three years from now. There will be four speakers — someone from your family, a friend, a colleague, and a representative from your church or community organization. — Stephen R. Covey’s, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Covey’s eye-opening exercise really got me thinking about my relationships, career, and community involvement. It made me wonder what these four people would say about me at my own funeral:
Family
The first speaker gets me thinking, have I shown enough love and appreciation to my closest ones? Have I told them how much they mean to me? Have I been there and supported them when they needed me the most?
Friends
The second speaker makes me wonder about my friendships. Have I been a good friend? Have I been there for them in their time of need? Have I let them know how much I appreciate them being in my life?
Manager/Colleague
The third speaker gets me thinking about my career. Am I following my passions and staying true to my values? Have I made a positive impact at work or in my industry? Have I inspired or guided others along the way?
Church/Community
Lastly, the fourth speaker asks if I’m doing enough to make the world a better place. Have I volunteered or helped out in a meaningful way? Have I supported causes or groups that matter to me?
These questions might seem overwhelming, but they are crucial for living a fulfilling life. Imagine if your funeral were tomorrow — would you be content with the legacy you’d leave behind? If the answer is no, then it’s time for a change. It’s time to prioritize what truly matters and align your actions with your values. It’s time to embrace a life filled with intention and purpose. Keep reading this post, as I’ll share practical steps on how to achieve this later on!
My Journey to Discovering What I Really Want to Do
Before diving into the tips on creating your personal mission statement, let me share my own personal story with you. It wasn’t always easy for me to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.
I had recently graduated with a degree in computer science from a demanding school in the US, and I spent my junior year working tirelessly to secure an internship. I skipped classes, grinding LeetCode (a platform for practicing coding interviews), and participated in multiple research projects in computer vision and data science — all in pursuit of the “perfect” resume that would land me a job…
After working tirelessly, I finally landed my “dream job” in the competitive tech industry. I felt proud and happy, knowing I was financially stable and on a successful path. But as time went on, I couldn’t shake the feeling of doubt that crept in. I started asking myself, “Is this really what I want to do with my life? Is there more to life than this?” This mix of happiness and uncertainty pushed me to explore my true passions and goals more deeply.
Then, the tech industry faced a recession, and suddenly, I found myself without a job. It was a tough time, filled with anxiety and confusion. This unexpected period of unemployment shook me to my core and made me confront some hard questions: “What do I really want to do with my life? Is my purpose just to work, or is there something more?” These questions stirred a deep longing within me to seek out my true passions and redefine my life’s direction.
So, I decided to create a personal mission statement for my life, something I had never considered before.
A Roadmap to Living an Intentional Life
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
With my mission statement in mind, I discovered a newfound ability to make decisions quickly, aligning my choices with my goals and values. This was a game-changer for me and allowed me to move forward with greater confidence and purpose.
Whenever I catch myself wondering, ‘What do I really want to do in my life?’, I turn to my personal mission statement. I’ve realized that the essence of what I do isn’t as important as ensuring it’s in harmony with my mission statement.
My advice to you is simple: never underestimate the power of a personal mission statement. Without a clear purpose or direction, you might feel lost, like trying to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles without a map in the darkness.
A mission statement offers a guiding light, leading you towards your goals and values, simplifying decision-making, and helping you live a more intentional life.
Now, I’m excited to share some easy-to-follow tips on how to create your own personal mission statement and take charge of your life.
5 Steps to Creating a Personal Mission Statement
1. Reflect on your character traits
Start by thinking about the qualities that make you who you are. What kind of person do you want to be? List the traits that resonate with you, like being honest, creative, or resilient.
For example, you might admire someone who always lends a helping hand or stands up for what they believe in.
2. Identify your passions
Next, think about the things you love doing, both at work and in your personal life. Ask yourself, “What activities make me feel fulfilled and excited?” This could be anything from helping others to learning new things.
For instance, you might find joy in mentoring junior colleagues or exploring new hobbies like photography or even sleeping on the beach, haha!
3. Unleash your imagination
Imagine a world where you have unlimited time, resources, and guaranteed success. What would you choose to do? This exercise helps you think beyond limitations and discover what truly drives you.
For example, you might dream of starting a non-profit organization to support underprivileged children or traveling the world to learn about different cultures (That’s my dream as well!).
4. Plan your contributions and achievements
Focus on the unique impact you can make on the world. Think about your future contributions to your loved ones, your community, and yourself. Consider your natural talents and gifts, and how you can use them to make a difference.
For example, if you have excellent communication skills, you might use them to raise awareness for a cause close to your heart.
5. Define your values and principles
Your values and principles form the foundation of your character and actions. Identify the priorities in your life, the people you admire, and the practices that help you achieve balance across all aspects of your life — physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
For example, you might prioritize spending quality time with family, seek inspiration from role models like Malala Yousafzai, and practice mindfulness to maintain mental well-being.
Final Thoughts
I appreciate you taking the time to read this post. My hope is that sharing my journey and these practical tips will encourage you to craft your own personal mission statement and discover your life’s purpose!
If you’ve come across a book that profoundly influenced your perspective, or if you have suggestions for creating a personal mission statement, please share them in the comments below! I look forward to connecting with you in my next blog post!
Reference:
- Covey, S. R. (1989). The seven habits of highly effective people: restoring the character ethic. New York, Simon and Schuster.
