Oct 1
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Bernard Shannon
Life Purpose Exercise
Everyone is born with a unique life purpose. It isn’t something you create but something you uncover in your gifts, passions, and what feels natural to you. Living with purpose brings clarity and direction, turning even ordinary tasks into meaningful actions. It becomes a compass that guides choices and helps you face challenges with resilience, knowing struggles are part of a larger path.
Having a life purpose is less about rigid goals and more about living true to your values and authentic self. It asks: What is my unique contribution? What feels most true to who I am? With purpose, life gains focus and meaning; without it, choices can feel scattered or empty.
Below is an exercise that will help uncover your life purpose. There are four steps to this activity. The first is to list two unique qualities which you possess. For example, humor, compassion, attention to detail. The next step is to list two ways in which you use those qualities. For example, to use humor to lighten the mood. The following step is to wave your magic wand to create the perfect world as you see it. The last step is to integrate the first three in one sentence starting with “my purpose is to”.
Why This Specific Exercise
I have seen many Life Purpose exercises, but none better than Jack Canfield’s in Success Principles. It creates a down-to-earth purpose that is observable and measurable.
I had a student who said he that he already had a life purpose that he then shared with me. It was “to become enlightened and enlighten others”. My question back to him was “how do you know how you are doing?”. I felt this statement was too vague to measure or observe in any meaningful way. I suggested he keep it as an overarching goal and use this exercise for day-to-day self-assessment.
Canfield’s process is formulaic, but if you follow the steps, you will develop something that can guide you in life. I know that anything you write will not be exactly what your soul is saying but it is the best approximation that we have. As your life moves forward, reevaluate your purpose. You may find that you are in a different place now.
I had a student who said he that he already had a life purpose that he then shared with me. It was “to become enlightened and enlighten others”. My question back to him was “how do you know how you are doing?”. I felt this statement was too vague to measure or observe in any meaningful way. I suggested he keep it as an overarching goal and use this exercise for day-to-day self-assessment.
Even as a professional I have found it is important to have noted goals and ability to measure success. When was a Special Education teacher as a part of my job I had to write Individual Educational Programs (IEPs) for each student on my caseload. This is relevant because each goal had to be “observable and measurable.” This means that someone could come into my classroom pull a file and either observe the student for goals in behavior management or ask them to perform a task for academic achievement. This improved successes as we could all easily understand expectations and confirm change.
Canfield’s process is formulaic, but if you follow the steps, you will develop something that can guide you in life. I know that anything you write will not be exactly what your soul is saying but it is the best approximation that we have. As your life moves forward, reevaluate your purpose. You may find that you are in a different place now.
Advice for Its Creation
Some people have challenges listing (1) qualities they possess and (2) how/why they use those qualities. In this case, I recommend asking a close friend or family member for help. You will need two of each. Create a list. I generally ask students to list at least 5 – 10 of each, then, prioritize them.
Keep your purpose as short as possible. Every word must be needed. Eliminate any superfluous words. As long as the meaning is not lost–the shorter the better. This will help you remember it.
Keep your purpose as short as possible. Every word must be needed. Eliminate any superfluous words. As long as the meaning is not lost–the shorter the better. This will help you remember it.
Examples
My Purpose is:
• To inspire and empower people to live to their highest vision in a context of love and joy. - Jack Canfield
• To inspire and empower people to achieve their destiny. - Robert Allen, “One Minute Millionaire”
• To educate and inspire people to live their highest self-based in courage, purpose, and joy. - Harv Eker, “Millionaire Mind”
• To use my creativity and enthusiasm to support and inspire others to achieve their highest potential while living in communion with the Divine. - Bernard
• Be present in Stillness and Clarity while meeting all with an Open Awakened Heart. - Eniko
• To use my enthusiasm and creativity to help others to move forward on their life's path, while keeping balance in my own life. – Merry
Now What?
Write it down. Print it out in BIG font and point size and put it on your mirror, door, sun visor in your car. Print it small and put is on your computer. Make a meme with it and use it as your lock screen image.
At the end of each day spend some time to review your experiences. How’d I do today? Take notice of where opportunities were missed. Please don’t guilt or shame yourself. This is learning. Can you make a call or send a text or email to express yourself more in alignment with your purpose? If not, because that window has closed, just tell yourself you’ll be more present next time.
Memorize it.
Learn it.
Embody it.
Live it!
At the end of each day spend some time to review your experiences. How’d I do today? Take notice of where opportunities were missed. Please don’t guilt or shame yourself. This is learning. Can you make a call or send a text or email to express yourself more in alignment with your purpose? If not, because that window has closed, just tell yourself you’ll be more present next time.
If you write a Life Purpose using this method, please email us it. We'd greatly appreciate it!