Life seems to be a rush to get things done. We are motivated to accomplish tasks and achieve great things in our careers and educations. However, what does that mean for the bigger picture? What do these things do for helping you find your purpose in life? Is there a benefit to finding that one true purpose?
Let’s try to answer some of these age-old questions.
You Live Longer
Finding your purpose makes you live longer. That’s right. According to an article published by the Huffington Post, researchers found that those who find their purpose in life live longer. The benefit is seen no matter at which age you find your particular purpose. The research did discover that those who found the thing that drives them early on in life had much higher longevity benefits than those who found it later in life.
Why does this happen?
One of the reasons that researchers proposed there was an increase in longevity for those who had discovered their purpose was that they had a sense of direction after they had left the workplace. Many adults find that when they retire and have no sense of purpose, they don’t do much. Those who are not driven by their personal mission face higher mortality rates than those who have a strong sense of purpose.
It Makes You Happier
How does having a strong purpose make you happier than those who have not found their purpose in life? Well, Psychology Today has an excellent explanation of why this works. If you believe in something with your whole heart, a setback will have much less of an effect on you than if it is something you are not driven to achieve. While a person with no purpose would get angry and stew over the trouble, you with your strong sense of purpose just keep truckin’.
Also noted in the same article was how people will begin to draw on their sense of purpose when they are facing tough times. The ability to call upon something you believe to be greater than yourself when you are facing a difficult moment can help sustain you. This sense of fulfillment will keep you going and keep you feeling happier through even the most difficult times.
It Keeps You Present
In modern society, we tend to spend a lot of time either in the past or thinking about the future. We borrow time and forget to use the time we are currently to the best of our ability. One thing about finding your purpose is it makes you stay in the present moment by allowing you to focus on how you can achieve the most for your purpose today.
People who have truly found their drive do not want to put it off until tomorrow. The Huffington Post notes that individuals with a purpose will make time to be present and focused on their driven mission every day. Even if it is only for a few moments each day, they still make that commitment.
How Do You Find Your Purpose?
Many people have asked this one question throughout the years. What do I need to do to find my purpose?
While there is no set answer for everyone, one way is to visualize what you would do if all of your needs were taken care of. If you had all the food, shelter, money, and safety, you needed; what would you do with your time? Would you save the rainforests? Would you bake? Would you care for your family members? Whatever your answer is, this is likely going to be related to your purpose.
Moreover, yes, while we would all like to sit on a beach with a Pina colada, eventually that gets boring, as it is human nature to lead a constructive life. So what would you do once the feeling of freedom wore off and the boredom set in? If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?
That is your purpose.
– Scott Blessing