Casual Conversation
Feel a little stuck? Not living the life you want to be living? Are you constantly saying to yourself ‘my life would be better if…’? Then this podcast is for you!
Casual Conversation
Finding Your Life's Purpose and Unlocking Potential with a Growth Mindset
Ever feel like you're searching for that missing piece in life's puzzle, the one that makes everything fit together perfectly? Well, you're in luck, because today on Colin Bolton's podcast, we're unlocking the secrets to discovering your life's purpose. Amidst the chaos of a post-pandemic world, he delves into the personal quest for meaning that not only offers inner peace but also serves as a compass guiding you towards resilience, direction, and joy. You'll learn why your ikigai might be as simple as a homemade soup for your family or as grand as societal change, with real strategies to help you find that sweet spot where passion, mission, vocation, and profession converge for a healthier, longer, and more decisive you.
And if you've ever doubted your ability to achieve greatness, prepare to have those doubts shattered. We're talking about the game-changing growth mindset that redefines potential and intelligence, showing that with persistence and effort, you can grow your skills beyond what you imagined. By fostering a passion for learning and building resilience, this mindset will not only catapult you towards success but also guide you in fulfilling your life's purpose. Remember, this is not just about reaching for the stars—it's about becoming the best version of yourself. So, tune in and get ready to transform your perspective on growth and purpose, with additional resources waiting on my website to support your continuous journey of self-improvement.
Hi everyone, thank you for joining me today on my casual conversation channel, where we talk about your career, business, personal growth and how to live a fulfilled and happy life. My name is Colin Bolton and I'm a Certified Life and Executive Coach and the founder of Goal Achievement Coaching. In our time together today, I want to focus on a topic that is deeply personal but is extremely important, because it gives your life meaning, direction and fulfillment, ultimately leading to a happier and more meaningful existence, and that topic is how to find your purpose in life. So why does purpose matter now, you may ask? Well, purpose has always impacted people and business, but the disruption of the Covid pandemic helped magnify its importance. When we weren't able to go out as much, when we were isolated from our people and when our lives were turned upside down, we were reminded of what really mattered to us. Through their existence. We were reminded of what we needed and desired for a full life.
Speaker 1:Purpose has been brought to the top of mind for people. Let's take a closer look at what we mean by purpose. When we talk about purpose, we refer to the reason why we exist and why we wake up every day and do what we do, the driving force behind our actions is the motivation that propels us forward. The purpose is not a fixed destination, but rather a journey that evolves. It is a personal and subjective concept that is unique to each individual. Generally, purpose is a belief that your life matters and that you make a difference. It is the sense of being guided by meaningful values and goals. Purpose can be related to families or parenting, career, religion, activism, artistic pursuits or other contributions to community. In Japanese, the word ikigai describes a reason for being or a reason to wake up in the morning. Purpose doesn't have to be world-changing either. It can simply be the expression of your talents to help your family or your friends. One woman expressed her ikigai, her reason to wake up in the morning, as the need and desire to make soup for her family, and dreaming small is helpful. Purpose doesn't have to include pressure to find the cures for diseases or inspire world peace. It can just be doing the next thing that makes sense and performing work which allows you to express your unique capabilities to help others or contribute to the broader community.
Speaker 1:Finding your life's purpose is important for several reasons. Having a clear sense of purpose provides direction and focus in life. It gives you a reason to wake up each day with enthusiasm and motivation, knowing what you want to achieve and why. Knowing your purpose adds meaning and fulfillment to your life. When you are aligned with your purpose, you feel a deep sense of satisfaction and contentment, even during challenging times. Having a strong sense of purpose can make you more resilient in the face of adversity. It provides you with a sense of resilience and determination to overcome obstacles and setbacks. Knowing your purpose also helps you make better decisions that are aligned with your values and long-term goals. It allows you to filter out distractions and focus on what truly matters to you. Having a sense of purpose also impacts your health and well-being. Research suggests that people who have a sense of purpose tend to live longer, healthier lives. They experience lower levels of stress, depression and anxiety and have better overall levels of well-being.
Speaker 1:The most prominent and well-referenced study that I stumbled upon is very interesting. This study was conducted by Randy Cohen, sherrod Bavisi and Alan Rosanski and was published at the end of 2015. As part of the study, over 136,000 people were evaluated and followed for about seven years. The average age at the start of the study was 67 years old and, as the people in the study passed away or faced health issues. The researchers found an interesting piece of data. The analysis showed that mortality was about one-fifth lower for participants reporting a strong sense of purpose. Now I know what you're thinking. How did the researchers decide which person lived with purpose and which person didn't? This is covered in more detail in the fully published report from October 2017 titled Association Between Purpose and Life and Objective Measures of Physical Function in Older Adults on jamanetworkcom that's J-A-M-A-networkcom. Check it out. It makes for interesting reading.
Speaker 1:Lastly, finding your life's purpose is important because your contribution in life is also impacted by having a sense of purpose. Knowing your purpose enables you to make a positive impact on others and the world around you. When you are aligned with your purpose, you can use your unique strengths and talents to contribute to something greater than yourself. So, now that I've talked about why purpose is important, how do you find your purpose in life? Well, people generally don't wake up one day and have a eureka moment and suddenly know what their purpose in life is. No, we usually have to discover our purpose by trial and error. Finding your life's purpose is a deeply personal journey, but here are 10 ways that may help you find your purpose in life.
Speaker 1:Number one actively try new things. You definitely won't find your purpose in life by simply waiting for it to fall into your lap. You find it by actively trying new things and taking action. If you haven't yet discovered your purpose in life, then you will not find it by trying the same things repeatedly. It helps to always keep an open mind here. If you're looking for inspiration, here are a few things I've thought of for you to consider trying. Treat yourself to a massage, go skydiving, sign up for a running race or clean out your closet. Compliment a stranger out of the blue, join an oil painting workshop or go on a long walk or sign up for a gym class.
Speaker 1:Number two know that your job is not necessarily your purpose. It's important to know that your purpose in life and your job are not the same thing. Too many people look for a job that pays the bills and that simultaneously makes their lives have a purpose. A very small percentage of people find actual purpose in the work they do. In fact, according to a 2013 study by Golub, only 30% of all American employees feel engaged at work. The takeaway here is that your career doesn't necessarily have to be your purpose in life.
Speaker 1:Number three self-reflection. Take time to introspect and reflect on what truly matters to you, what brings you joy and what you're passionate about. Number four explore your interests. Try out different activities, hobbies and experiences to discover what resonates with you the most. Number five set goals. Establish short-term and long-term goals that align with your values and interests. This can provide direction and motivation. Number six seek inspiration. Read books, listen to podcasts mine, of course or engage with people who inspire you and share similar values or interests.
Speaker 1:Number seven embrace challenges. Embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. They can often provide valuable insights about yourself and your path. Number eight contribute to others. Consider how you can use your strengths and passions to make a positive impact on others or the world around you. Number nine stay open-minded. Be open to new experiences and possibilities. Your life's purpose may evolve over time, so remain flexible and adaptable. And lastly, number 10, develop a growth mindset.
Speaker 1:When we stop growing, we plateau, and we all know plateau is not a great place to be.
Speaker 1:Fireworks and magics don't happen on a plateau. The thing is, many people don't realize they have the internal power to expand their knowledge, develop their emotional intelligence and become better versions of themselves. That's why you need to develop a growth mindset. People with a growth mindset believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and the resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. This helps you realize that who you are now isn't who you have to be for the rest of your life. So if you find yourself lacking a sense of purpose, then a growth mindset will help you to develop yourself until you find one.
Speaker 1:Well, folks, that wraps up our podcast for today. I hope you have found this podcast useful as you consider your life's purpose and the positive and exciting changes having one purpose may bring. If you liked our discussion today, I invite you to visit my website, goalachievementcoachingcom, where you'll find a number of useful resources on a host of topics related to life, business and personal growth. Thank you so much for listening.
