Go All-Out! Live life with a purpose.

Living life with a purpose is a choice and is one of the most self-actualized activities we can participate in. Unfortunately, many individuals choose to remain mediocre, never recognizing their full potential or purpose. 

To live a life with purpose, begin by analyzing your focus and feelings – are they compatible and balanced? Feelings of contentment, joy and clarity occur when your focus and feelings are aligned.

The following six steps will help you identify your purpose and potential:

●Listen.   “Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking.” - Bernard M. Baruch

 Life has a way of showing you your purpose – if you take the time to listen. Listen to your heart and identify what you love to do. It is also important to listen to others and gain insights from their wisdom and life experiences. Listening is a necessary step to personal growth.

●Learn.     “Change is the end result of all true learning.” - Leo Buscaglia

Increased knowledge and understanding is a key component to personal growth and satisfaction. A healthy self-concept or mental picture of yourself is enhanced through learning. 

●Live.    “I think my mother... made it clear that you have to live life by your own terms and you have to not worry about what other people think and you have to have the courage to do the unexpected.”   - Caroline Kennedy

Appreciate opportunities to live life and have “peak experiences” often. Utilize your talents, pursue your interests and recognize your contributions. Take advantage of life experiences that force you to move ‘out of your comfort zone’ and view life from a different perspective.

●Labor.   “The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work.  Work is the key to success, and hard work can help you accomplish anything.”  -Vince Lombardi Jr.

To labor is to work. Labor is defined as physical or mental exertion, doing a specific task. How do you feel about your work, do you find it exciting and satisfying? If not, brainstorm ways to find new directions and passions. Hard work is a strong predictor of happiness. If the work you do is not satisfying or exciting, it may be time to make a career change or alter your mindset about the work you do each day. To feel happy, take action, roll up your sleeves and engage in work.

●Love.  “Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.  -David Frost

Love what you do and do what you love. Make time in your busy schedule to develop a strong social network.  Nurture feelings of kinship with family and friends. Enjoy a sense of belonging and recognize the need for love and healthy relationships in your daily routine.

●Laugh.  “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."   -E.E. Cummings

Enjoy your sense of humor and invite laughter into your life. Recognize that laughter promotes feelings of spontaneity, naturalness and fosters feelings of independence. Learn to laugh at yourself. Laughter can lessen feelings of despair, resentment and failure.

Go all-out and live life with a purpose by appreciating and acknowledging others contributions.  Your happiness will be heightened by elevating those around you. Reaching your potential will be the end-result of your ability to compromise, compliment, and to love yourself and those around you.

The Empowerment Project   www.vikkicarrel.com