Finding Courage: How to Overcome Obstacles and Embrace a Meaningful Life

The frustration was evident on her face. “I want my life to have meaning. I want to get up and feel proud of how far I have come and the legacy I’ve built for myself, my kids, and everyone around me.” What I find with my clients is common to humanity. We are all looking for purpose.

The intention of this article is to offer a step-by-step approach to living a life of purpose.

Step 1: Build an emotional rudder with a mentor.

Our greatest certainty comes from being held accountable.

What does feeling safe mean to you?

• Some people view safety as staying put. If that’s what safety means, everyone would have found their purpose by now.
• Even if you know your purpose, it’s not enough to keep you on track. Fear can get in the way.
• You are smart enough to know you can’t go where you want to go while staying put. Building an emotional rudder with a mentor helps keep you safe while you explore.

Learn how to build an emotional rudder here.

Step 2: Challenge your belief system.

Innovation comes from challenging our belief system.

How do you feel about experimenting?

• Our belief system is an anchor supposed to keep us safe from danger. Many people believe their comfort zone is safe.
• To innovate, you must leave your comfort zone behind. It’s about stepping into what you do not know.
• No one can lift their anchor alone. What you think is safe might be unsafe. But you would not know that until someone points it out to you.

Learn how to lift your anchor here.

Step 3: Step into the unknown.

The pursuit of excellence comes from taking apart our belief system.

Why hasn’t your dream happened yet?

• Many people struggle to live their dream because they keep affirming old beliefs that are neither true nor helpful.
• Are you willing to sail through the unchartered waters of what you do not know?
• Being aware of your dream and why you have it is not enough to make it happen. Otherwise, you’d already have it. So, what’s the problem?

Learn how to unfold your inner treasure map here.

Step 4: Don’t collide with the rocks of despair.

Personal growth comes from being shown what we do not see.

What lies below your surface?

• Old beliefs are messages that got delivered long ago. Those messages have sunk below the surface.
• Though you may have developed a good sense of navigation around the rocks that would have crushed others, you cannot see what is below your surface. No one is objective about what their feelings validate.
• A sonar (mentor) can teach you how to see and sail past your blind spots.

Learn how to troubleshoot your vision here.

Step 5: Find your True North.

Living our truth comes from emancipating.

What is your greatest challenge in living your truth?

• Many people do not want to question their truth because they fear doing so might upset them or others. As a result, they stay put in their comfort zone, never really getting to know themselves well.
• You (we) learn through vulnerability. Feel your truth. Do not cling to old messages that are no longer true.
• Real vulnerability is when we choose to reveal ourselves. No one does that work alone. Who will hold you fiercely accountable to live your truth?

Learn how to find your True North here.

Step 6: Build a legacy for your soul.

Deep fulfillment comes from serving from the soul.

How do you feel safe enough to have the courage to make the difference you came here to do at the soul level? Be willing to ask yourself:

• Who will suffer if you play small?
• What regrets might you have if you do not build a bold legacy that is a testament to your unwavering spirit?
• What insights, tools, skills, and strategies do you need to fulfill your purpose?

Learn how to feel fulfilled here.

Months later, I asked my client how far out of their comfort zone they were. They laughed and said, “If one (1) is comfortable and ten (10) is terrifying, I’m about an 8 out of 10. They said they never want to play small again. What about you?

A personal note:

Hi! I’ve taken you on this journey to give you six steps to living a life purpose.

On the other side of this journey, I invite you to step into something completely different. What that is is your evolution.

However, I would never ask my clients or my readers to do something I’m not willing to do.

That is why you’ll see me write about the perfectly mismatched, highly compatible marriage of EQ and AI. I will talk about how to apply EQ to technology. I’m excited about it, and I hope you’ll join me. Learn more.

Anne

Anne Beaulieu, Emotional Tech© Engineer