How do I find my purpose, my passion in life?

I was asked recently by a client this very question:-

"How do I find my purpose and passion in life?" Together we had been doing a great deal of personal development work, including self esteem, confidence, leadership and team building; throughout the entire process my client felt that she was not actually doing what she truly wanted to do with her life and wanted to fix that.

I thought back to how I worked out what my life purpose and passion in life was...that brought to where I am now - I recall it was quite an exercise.

As I shared what I did with my client, I will share with you now the very set of specific exercises that I did, that led me to writing my own personal mission statement, my life purpose statement that helped me define who I am and will enable you to define who you are.

Its an exercise that I highly recommend doing.

The Exercise.

Take a few moments to just sit, find some quiet time, aware from the interruptions of everyday life - I know that this is hard, but its well worth doing. Take some deep breaths and just allow yourself to settle. The following techniques are a way to logically begin the process of defining your purpose - but allow yourself to dig deeper within yourself to answer these questions too.

1. Start by making a list of all the times you can remember in your life that have made you feel the most truly alive and joyful.

The times I have felt the most alive and joyful...........

some examples - I started off by saying riding Harvey, hacking out on Harvey, talking to people, speaking on the radio about the work I do, becoming a mum, etc

list as many as you can.

2. Note - Look closely at this list and ask yourself what each of these experiences has in common. Make a note of it. This common element is an indication of what brings you joy....and what brings you joy is an indication of your life purpose! Answering the questions below will also highlight what brings you joy, what is an indication of your life purpose.
Now, consider the following questions and write down your answers:-

a) What are my natural gifts?

b) What are my skills and talents?

c) What do I love to do?

d) When do I feel the most alive?

e) What am I passionate about?

f) What brings me the greatest joy in life?

g) When do I feel the best about myself?

h) What are my personal strengths and characteristics?

i) What have others always said that I am really good at?

j) How do I most enjoy interacting with other people?

k) What would I change in the world if I could?

Ok now take some time to take a look at your answers and note any common themes, characteristics, repeated phrases or words that crop up in the answers to the above questions.

What do these answers have in common with the first list you made earlier?

Now then, take your answers to these questions and your list and consolidate them into two or three complete sentences. You are now in the process of defining your life's purpose - your personal mission statement based upon who you authentically are and your unique interests, gifts, talents and passions.

Write out your Life Purpose.

What I noticed with my lists and answers was a reoccurring theme which involved being with and working with horses, helping people, problem solving, talking to and public speaking, family life and communication.

These 7 things repeatedly cropped up in some for or another in my lists and answers - they were my most common answers and themes to my answers and so I wrote the following Personal Mission Statement for myself:-

"I love to help solve problems - I'm good at it having had years of practice, particularly since my father flew the family coop when I was younger. I get a buzz from sorting out problems for families, people and horses.

Communication is hugely important to me, and how people communicate with themselves and each other. I love inspiring and teaching others how to communicate concisely, easily and more positively.

Family life is a passion and having the best family life possible, no matter what. I love working with families, parents and children, resolving conflicts, issues and traumas, with the aim of each member of the family, and the family as a whole being the best that they can be both individually and together."

When you feel you have finished, sit with it a while, see if you feel you need to add or delete or refine anything. See how your personal mission statement rests with you, even sleep on it.

If you have answered your questions honestly, and find that you have nothing further to add to the personal mission statement you have written, then you know you have got it right.

Have fun with this process too.. its very empowering, enlightening and those that I have shared this method with have found it positively life changing too.

If you need my help, just email me on chanti@therhythmofthehorse.com - no obligation.

Love to read about your results.

Enjoy your day, Warmest wishes, Chanti :)