The Purpose of Life, is a Life of Purpose

Ever notice that when you have a specific training goal, you’re able to focus much better on the bike?  Well, that same concept applies to all things in life…..only problem is most of us don’t create or find a purpose.

The purpose of life, is a life of Purpose.

I first saw this quote in a book by Robin Sharma…one of my favorite motivational authors.  But it looks like the quote comes from American author, Robert Byrne.  Simple, yet oh so brilliant. It’s been over a year since the last time I had a major cycling goal I was after, but I can still remember how motivated and focused I was while training and conditioning for it.  I still have minor goals each week, but they’re nothing compared to what my previous big ones have been like.  But I can personally attest to how adding purpose to a ride can totally change things. Every ride leading up to that one big ride had the purpose of preparing me to do my absolute best.  I knew the purpose, I rode, and I was a freaking machine. But in life, it’s a somewhat different story.  My purpose has been more like “The Goliath” at Six Flags…..moving fast, and going up and down.  When it’s there, I’m totally focused and in the zone.  When it’s not, my days seem monotonous and empty. So how do you find your purpose?  I’m asking this because I personally need to know…..so I checked out what the experts have to say. Here’s 6 steps to finding your purpose (c/o Wikihow):

1. Make a list of the things you do for fun, or that you really enjoy.  Include in the list the parts of your job that you really like, the things you volunteer for, sports, the arts, reading, etc. Imagine you’re a billionaire with no worries about money, how would you choose to spend your time?  These are your Passions.
2. Write down the names of people that you admire, and why you admire them. For example, you might admire Patch Adams for choosing to step out of the traditional role of medicine and creating new ways of healing and connecting with his patients while also having fun. You might admire the band Green Day for living out loud and on purpose, creating the music that they love and speaking their minds. You might admire Oprah Winfrey for choosing to reveal her truth, at a time when concealing is the norm. Name as many as you can think of.  These are your Actions.
3. Make a list of the things you do naturally without even thinking about it. (You may want to ask others for feedback, as it’s common for them to see talents in us that we don’t see ourselves) Such natural talents may be: an eye for detail, a great sense of humor, a nurturing side, the ability to focus intently, or being playful.  This is your Genius.
4. Look at your Passions, Actions, and Genius lists, and spend 10 minutes each morning doing something from one of the lists. Draw, sing, dance, tell the truth about something you’ve been concealing, organize a drawer, thank someone you’ve been appreciating silently, take a risk and call that girl or guy.
5. Notice how you feel. By definition, if you’re living your life purpose, you’ll feel exhilarated, excited, happy, and alive. If you’re not feeling these things, go back to your lists, and see if there’s anything you forgot to write down, or do the one you’ve been avoiding because it’s so scary
6. Feel your fear and do it anyway! It’s normal and natural to feel scared when stepping into your life purpose. Fritz Perls said, “Fear is really just excitement without the breath.” So, keep breathing, and take the next step. If it’s worth doing, you’re probably going to feel a little scared doing it. Just think of the fear as the energy you need to take the next step.