Last summer I made a decision that I should have made 20 years ago. When I think of the number of times in the past 20 years I've searched, I've tried, and I've given up, it's hard not to become discouraged. For more than 20 years, I cheated myself into believing that I was walking and living in my passion and purpose for life when I knew it wasn't true. My saving grace is that despite the detour, I am now here and happy. When I look at the benefit of finally making the right decision for my life -- a decision that's based on passion and gifts -- I'm able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Even though I have 20 years of not walking in my true purpose, I've learned things along the way that make me appreciate the current walk more.
My story is relatively simple. I have always had a love for the news and writing. At the age of 13, CNN was my favorite television channel. In 7th grade when I had to interview a person in my chosen career, I chose a radio news personality from a local Chicago station.
I knew I wanted to write and work in media. In high school I was on the newspaper and yearbook staffs. In college, I was the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper and I worked part-time as a reporter for the local newspaper. My first job out of college was as a reporter for a national news organization.
And then something shifted. As most 20-somethings do, I started exploring other careers and doing other things. In every job I had though, I was known as the writer. Colleagues, friends, and family members would always ask for my help and advice when writing because it seemed to come so natural to me.
While I truly loved my career in education, I realized that my job brought me the greatest satisfaction when I was writing, or performing tasks that involved the marketing and public relations department. It wasn't until a heath scare forced me to take some time off of work and evaluate everything I was doing, including my job. After the medical leave concluded, I did the scariest thing I've ever done and quit my job in order to become a full-time writer.
It's been 9 months since I made that decision, and my life has changed a lot. In the next couple of weeks, I'll be sharing the nuggets of wisdom I've learned that can help anyone of any age who may not quite be walking in their purpose. At least, not yet. This series even comes with a workbook that can help you through this process too.
You can download the workbook here.
Remember, this is the first step in the process. All 25 tips are listed, but we will go more in depth in the coming weeks. Today I'm sharing the tips and their corresponding subheadings of discovery, acceptance, living, and thriving. I've found that walking in my purpose requires all of these subheadings (and possibly more that you see on your own journey.)
Discover
Be vulnerable to the process.
If you will do it for free, and talk about it for 100 hours straight, that is your purpose.
Use the mind body spirit connection to manifest what you want.
Use the worst thing that has happened to you to guide you into your purpose.
Accept
The therapeutic nature of your purpose alone will make you stronger.
Remember where you came from and who helped you along the way.
Once you figure it out and accept it, even if your good, invest in the professional development and education to make yourself better.
Forgive those who didn't support you -- if they knew better they would do better.
Live
Make your nemesis your biggest strength.
Life will have detours, never get off the bus.
Don't frown on free.
Your purpose will not defy the rule of God, the laws of the universe, or compromise your personal integrity.
Smile at people.
Don't numb the pain.
Thrive in your best time of day.
In breakups, they can't go where you're going.
Accept the diversity that will come your way.
Thrive
Speak the language in everyday life.
Know what you need.
Prepare your adversary arsenal.
Go gangster. Find your tribe, love them well.
If no one will hire you, hire yourself.
Listen to your physical body.
Set your intentions for each day with the universe.
Without reading much more on the topic, I'm curious. Are you currently walking in your purpose?