Purpose is like Love- it has many parts to it and many people carry some misconceptions about it. Like Love, Purpose is complex and there are many aspects of it. Many times, our “multimedia machines” show only one or two aspects of it which leads to some false beliefs and confusion.
Purpose gives us energy and helps us stay motivated when things get tough
Some of these misconceptions are that when you have Purpose, everyday is great. Another one is the idea that when you have Purpose, you have infinite energy and all the work is enjoyable. These myths are similar to the idea of getting married and then living “happily ever after.” It is just not true.
Purpose gives a great many things. It is not the cause of happiness but it gives us more energy to “work harder” that can lead to happiness and fulfillment. During tough times when things don’t go our way, it helps us persevere through them because we understand why we are doing it. It can help us live more efficiently by helping us focus on the “right” things and help us make faster and better decisions. It can even unite people together and help groups enjoy the process more.
Having purpose gives us an energy like how loving someone does. It gives us more energy and increases our capacity to do a great many things. And similar to when we love someone, we may not always like them. So it is with purpose. We may enjoy the overall purpose of what we’re doing but some parts of it we may not like.
Purpose can help us stay focused and make decisions easier
These moments are not signs that we’re off track, it is just a natural part of pursuing a goal or dream. There will still be hard days and you will still get tired. However, it will give you the energy to persevere and push through them.
Living with Purpose is not the end all be all of happiness, but it gives us a lot. I believe it is a necessary component of living a fulfilled life just like deep connections and relationships. Like Love, it requires work and commitment. It requires systems and reminders to help us stay focused. If we can stay focused on our Purpose, it can add so much value to our lives. Living with a Purpose has been one of the greatest drivers of my life. I think everyone should spend time finding it. And like Love, carry with you a healthy understanding of it so that you can enjoy it more when you have it.