Learn to create, not “find,” purpose in your own life when you need it most
Are you new to the idea of creating a purposeful and healthier life for yourself? Or are you a veteran purpose-creater who is feeling the overwhelming pressure of daily life? Either way, I’ve been there. I’ve doubted my ability to create my own purpose before and I’ve definitely felt overwhelmed by the massive scale of the world in relation to myself. In both scenarios, I wanted quick ways to reaffirm that what I was doing in my daily life and career was in fact helping others and myself. If you’re feeling a similar sense of overwhelm, check out these 3 purpose-creating ideas that will take you under three minutes to complete.
1. Create purpose in your to-do list.
Take out your to-do list. Go through the list line by line and for at least one-third of the items on the list, write down who you’ll be helping by completing that task. I encourage you to think past the immediate effect of your action. For example, if you have “go through your closet” on your list like I do, you may be helping yourself create a more simplistic morning routine in the short term (and you should write that down!), but you’re also probably helping your local clothing donation center create inventory for those who need those tops you don’t wear more than you do.
2. Add stillness. Go somewhere you won’t be disturbed for a few minutes. Set a timer for three minutes and sit, eyes closed, for the full time. Put your phone down and resist the urge to multitask. Imagine yourself sitting on the beach or at your favorite place. When the timer goes off, open your eyes and before getting up, notice how you feel. In moments of stress, remind yourself that the feeling of calmness can be self-created.
3. Virtually volunteer. There are numerous virtual volunteering platforms, but one of my favorites is CareerVillage, which allows you to answer students’ college and career questions whenever and from anywhere. Spend three minutes picking out a student’s question where you can provide some expertise and bring a little more clarity to what is a confusing and challenging time in a young person’s life.
Looking for more purpose-creating tips and tricks? Sign up for the Daily Purpose Project’s email list to hear more from us!