What Is Your Purpose?
Author: Deanna Mascle

Are you living a purposeful life? One of the main factors
involved in people who are feeling depressed and unhappy is the
simple fact that they feel their lives lack meaning and
direction. Fortunately, it is simple to give your life meaning
and direction. All you need to do is find a purpose for your
life.

Even if you aren't depressed and unhappy, defining your purpose
can help you. Knowing who you are and what you want out of life
can help you achieve more and be more. It can also help you
make better decisions each day.

Finding your purpose may take some time and thought because
what you are doing is very important and very meaningful. You
are going to create your personal mission statement. Nothing is
more important than that mission statement because ultimately it
will define what you do and who you are. Try to set aside
several hours to focus your energy on this task. If you don't
have a large block of time then you can set aside smaller time
periods and work through these five steps one at a time.

Step One: Look Back

Think about your past especially the high points and successes.
Make a list of all your successes and all the points of pride
and accomplishment. Spend time simply thinking about your
childhood, school years, and other phases of your life so you
can make a list that is as complete as possible. Do you spot
any trends among these accomplishments and successes?

Step Two: Look Inside

Make a list of positive words or attributes that people use to
describe you such as hard working, creative, passionate, or
determined. Then make a list of words or attributes you use to
describe yourself. What are your gifts and talents? Make sure
to list the ones that you don't currently use as well as those
you currently develop and utilize. After reviewing and
comparing these lists make a list of five or six core values
that are your top priorities.

Step Three: Look At Your Dreams

Now take the time to dream a little. If time and money were no
object how could you contribute to the world, your family, your
career field, your friends, and your community? What are your
passions? What moves you, excites you, or angers you?

Step Four: Look Ahead

Review your notes from Steps One, Two and Three and identify
your top goals and priorities. Make a list of these and then
number them in order of importance.

Step Five: Look For Your Mission

Your mission statement can have three levels. The top level
should be a simple one-sentence action statement that becomes
your personal mission or vision. Simply complete this sentence:
My mission is to ...

For example, "My personal mission or vision is to nurture,
educate, and stimulate enlightenment for human development".

The second level can be your professional mission statement.
Some people may decide that they don't need a separate
professional mission statement. I don't because as a teacher
and writer I feel my professional mission is the same as my
personal mission as a mother, wife, friend, and community
activist.

The third level is actually a longer and more detailed
description of your mission or vision.

For example, "I chose the action verbs nurture, educate, and
stimulate because I believe
at heart that I am a nurturer. That is why I write, that is why
I garden, that is why I teach, and that is why my family is so
important to me. I love taking the germ of an idea, a tiny seed
or an eager mind and helping them grow and reach for new
possibilities. I think it is no great stretch for a nurturer to
also be an educator. I am a lifelong student. Whenever I learn
something new about the world or the people, animals or plants
that inhabit it I cannot wait to share the knowledge either
through my writing or a classroom and hope that knowledge will
help others learn and grow as well. Last, but perhaps most
important, growth does not have to be a passive, boring
experience. It can be active and fun. I believe true growth and
learning only occur when the experience is stimulating. I chose
enlightenment because I cannot imagine a greater gift to the
world or to the individual than to be enlightened. I know every
article and story I've written in my lifetime did not enlighten,
but in recent years I have been working to reach that goal. It
does not have to be a grand enlightenment, for often small
shafts of light can have a profound influence on another and
that is what I hope to provide. And, finally, human
development, because I cannot imagine a more impact-filled area
than human development. I am a strong believer in the fact that
we should spend our lives in continuous development and we
should each do our part to help others develop, too. If we do
not continue to develop and grow as an individual, and as a
society, and as a world, then we cannot hope to survive let
alone thrive".

Creating my own personal mission statement did change my life.
It helped me to change careers, start my own business, and make
important decisions about my professional life and personal
life. Having a mission statement and giving myself a vision for
my future has helped me give my life focus and purpose which has
greatly added to my personal happiness. Why don't you give it a
try?


About The Author: Inspirational writer Deanna Mascle publishes
two inspirational ezines, Daily Quote and Words Of Inspiration.
Find more inspiration at http://daily-quote.net