Your Purpose: The Enduring Guide of Your Life

J. P. Cunningham Cabin - Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming 

 Its Lasting Value Requires Your Clarity and Conviction

Your life’s purpose is an expression of your character. It does not need to be found; it is already within you.

Clarity of your purpose guides your deliberate decisions as to how you will manifest it…throughout your lifetime.

Clear Questions, Fuzzy Answers

I have the privilege of serving individuals from many walks of life. A significant number are highly trained and experienced in their respective fields. It is my observation that each usually believes that they know both their character and purpose…their Who and Why.

Yet, as these topics are discussed more deeply, it becomes evident to them and me that what seemed clear is really somewhat opaque.

The Ambiguous Lens of Introspection

A major personal impediment to clarity that is critical to developing a holistic understanding of oneself is this:

The common misconception that your internal identity and your purpose is defined by your job description…or goals that you may set. It overlooks the true foundation of your purpose.

The foundation of purpose is your character. Both are firmly entwined and ever-present within you.

Roles, goals, challenges and circumstances are transient.

Purpose is constant. It manifests itself in various ways that you choose throughout your life.

Such expressions are most visible and gratifying when performed in the service of others…causes greater than oneself.

You will benefit from practicing deliberate introspection. Ask yourself focused questions and contemplate the answers. Be true to them; you will then experience that your purpose will express itself in many ways at different phases of your life.

Clarity and Liberty

Clarity of purpose empowers and liberates you. It facilitates understanding that you simply are not defined by what you do. Your profession or occupation is one of many possible expressions of your purpose that you can choose.

This is especially true as it applies to the different phases of your life. As a child, adult and wiser elder, you will have different ways of expressing your purpose.

Your personas, the legitimate roles you will live throughout your life, will be the vehicles that provide the means to express your purpose, often in the service of causes greater than yourself. However, in and of themselves, those roles are not your purpose.

Your roles will end at some point but your unique purpose endures. This is especially true at the end of your career and beyond.

Focus on Clarity, Create Your Expressions

Crystal clarity of your purpose enhances the quality of your entire life. It liberates and empowers your creativity. It enhances your imagination and ability to create your life experiences at various stages of your life.

One such phase of life is your end of career and its aftermath.

It is my experience that, unfortunately for many, the joy of anticipation about their pending “retirement” is short lived. Frequently, the reason is that after a lifetime of identifying themselves by their job description, they now hope to fill the void with hobbies and various pleasures. There is much value in experiencing them. Unfortunately, they often fail as a substitute for the fulfillment you have long experienced in roles that manifested your purpose.

When you are at the threshold of this major life Transition, you can be propelled forward by a foundation of purpose that leads you to find new ways to express it…and also have fun in your life, your way.

You will find that as you plan and execute your Transition, that to have lived with clarity of purpose and expressed it in diverse ways with distinctive courage, will have prepared you for the next grand phase of your life.

PS: Do you want to learn more from me about how to create and experience a fulfilling end of career Transition? To help you, I provide consulting services tailored to your specific needs. Click here to apply for a complimentary strategy session.

 Standing Firm With Purpose - Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

© Enrique Fernandez, M. D.