You may long to discover your life purpose. You might even do the work to discover what is that makes you feel happy and fulfilled. But what is it that’s preventing you from fulfilling that purpose? What is keeping you stuck? You might be feeling frustrated, even depressed at your lack of progress.
There is an important step you can take to get you out of that rut. You can decide to take control now and identify what it is that is stopping you moving forward. Chances are, you’re in the grip of one or more of the following three most common things that stop people from finding and living their life mission.
- Self-doubt
The best of us can be prey to self-doubt at some point in our lives. It’s part of the human condition and a way of keeping yourself safe in an often-confusing world. Fear of failure is perhaps that biggest thing that holds people back from releasing their true potential. And in a world that values conspicuous success and wealth, striking out for something you believe in can be risky.
But if you stay stuck in the fearful mindset, it’s guaranteed you will never achieve anything. Staying small prevents you from acting, it prevents you from growing and being your best you.
- Other people’s opinion
Self-doubt feeds on caring what other people think of you. There will always be a plentiful supply of naysayers trying to stop you from living your dreams. And it’s a cast iron guarantee that whatever your life purpose is, there will be people who doubt your dream and your capacity to achieve it.
But there will also be people who support you, who believe in you. And the biggest cheerleader should be you! You don’t need permission to live your purpose. You only need conviction and the will to pursue your passion.
- Lacking intention
Not many people talk about this aspect of life purpose but living intentionally is integral to staying true to your life purpose. It’s no good to have a dream or a passion and being lackadaisical about it.
Step up to the plate and be intentional about your purpose. Approach it as you would any other project. Be organized, be methodical and give your purpose the care and attention it deserves.
That means writing it down, having a plan and making yourself accountable. Start with taking the attention off yourself and think about the impact you want to have on the world. What legacy do you want to leave?
