Throughout our limited existence on this planet, we often wonder how we should live the rest of our days. In this case, many people seek a life purpose they can put their energy into.

What is a Life Purpose?

Generally speaking, a life purpose is the central motivation of your life. It is the reason you get up in the morning and the factor that guides your decisions and behavior.

On the Ropes: Finding Purpose

In my book, “On the Ropes,” Percival has many goals. Some short-term and others long-term. As a seasoned boxer, his short-term goal was to head to the Olympics and fight for the country, while his long-term goal was to help his community in any way possible. If you were to summarize his overall purpose, it was to create a life he could be proud of.

In the story, Percival meets his younger brother, Sam. Sam, a university student, tells his older brother about his plans to join the Panthers. Sam said he wants to fight for something he believes in when prompted to explain. Not wanting his little brother to risk his young life, Percival wants him to stay out of him but knows he can’t make Sam’s decision for him.

Thus, Sam found his purpose.

So, What Is My Purpose?

Too often that people wonder what their purpose in life is. While it may seem like a simple question, it usually follows with many more questions down the line.

For some, their purpose is to create something; for others, it’s to dedicate themselves to a cause; for some, it’s just doing anything that brings fulfillment to their lives.

You’re not alone if you’re wondering what your life purpose is. However, it’s important to note that you may only sometimes find the answer immediately. Whether you’re a student or in your 50s, your life purpose can change much like your mindset.

Nevertheless, if you need to find your life purpose, here are some practical questions to ask yourself:

1. What are you willing to tolerate?

Let’s face it, we all think of our purpose through rose-colored glasses. The truth is, picking a cause requires some cost. In this case, what struggle or sacrifice are you willing to tolerate? 

Say, for example, you want to be a writer. Are you willing to tolerate potential negative reviews and the competition in the industry? If so, then it’s certainly worth a shot.

2. What scares you but also excites you?

Most people want to avoid things that incite fear and worry. I’m talking more about what gets your blood pumping in this scenario. I’m also talking about what you’d be willing to try repeatedly to improve. Suppose you’re ready to embarrass yourself in the boxing ring but love the sport and the adrenaline rush. In that case, it might be a worthwhile endeavor.

3. What problem do you care about that’s bigger than you?

Your life’s purpose may not always be personal. If anything, it might make a difference—not necessarily to the whole world, but to the ones that matter. In this step, think of something you could make a difference in.

For instance, say you are passionate about education accessibility. While you certainly won’t be able to fix it overnight, you can still make a difference by becoming a teacher or volunteering to teach marginalized groups in the community.

The Bottom Line:

Our life’s purpose is incredibly subjective but also necessary. If we can find something that sets our souls alight, then it adds quality to our lives regardless of our ages.