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Whoa, that’s a big thought. It’s not too big but it is big.

Sometime in our middle years (and for those fortunate few that are younger) we discover the need or drive for meaning and purpose to our life. It is safe to say that for many of us, the purpose in our early adult years is to successfully launch ourselves into career, home and creating a family life. But, beyond those years and milestones lie something bigger for us. It is a tricky and somewhat elusive aspect of our life. We feel it more than we can describe it. There is no doubt that this is a tough subject to relegate to an article but I will try hard to share what I have discovered. I’m not suggesting I have the answer but I think I can give you a few hints.

I don’t recall where I read this but it resonated for me. Our purpose is not about ourselves. Our purpose is outside or beyond us. It is about others. Our purpose is about giving ourselves in the service of other people and causes. The reason I think this is right is how it feels when you do it. One of the best examples I can think of is firefighters. They are the people running into burning buildings when the rest of us are running out. When you hear one of these heroes talk about a specific act they have performed, they are humbled and the rest of us are teary eyed. There is a certain understanding we have in hearing these stories. These people are not doing it for the money or ego, they are doing it because it’s their purpose. The life saving is about the other person, not them, not the acclaim.

Some people, like firefighters are lucky enough to have jobs that have that sense of purpose built in while they are building their life. Others must go in search of our purpose. If you have to go in search of your purpose where do you start? The frustrating answer is: look toward yourself and outside yourself. What this means is that the answer comes from within you in terms of feeling that sense of resonance when you know you have found it. It will ring true for you. To find “it”, you need to go on a hunt of discovery. Your purpose will not fall from the sky into your lap. You have to actively engage in looking, experimenting and turning over rocks.

Another way you can look at your life purpose is to think of it in terms of how you are expressing your unique gifts. When we are doing something that is consistent with our strongest values and engaging our strengths, skills, talents and interests we create what is described as “flow”. Flow is that sense of timelessness or no time. If you have ever done something and lost all track of time, you have created flow. This happens because of the energy it creates and that what you are doing combines challenge and ability in a very focused manner. Purpose is not a random act of applying your skills. Purpose is focused. A perspective is that your purpose IS your life goal, which by its very nature has the quality of action, results and accomplishment.

If you do have an answer to the top question, just know that over time it could change. That’s ok for it to change. It doesn’t mean you are wrong, it means like everything else in our life, even our purpose changes over time. If you can’t answer the question at the top, I would suggest you go on a personal quest to find the answer. Purpose will give everything you do greater meaning. Purpose will amplify your joy in profound ways.

Want to reprint this article? You can reprint this article as long as you use the following: Dorothy Tannahill-Moran is a Career Coach and expert on helping her clients achieve their goals. Want to discover specific career change strategies that get results? Discover how to by claiming your FREE gift, Career Makeover Toolkit at:

http://CareerMakeoverToolKitShouldIstayorShouldIGo.com/