While we have been discussing in previous posts about how you can’t find purpose (you have to build it), you do have to identify what the purposeful activities or anchors are in your life. Once you have done that, the building process becomes much easier. But how, you ask, do we find these anchors, and how do we make sure we have the right ones? While some of us may be lucky enough to just happen upon them, the more likely path will be a good deal more intentional.
I am a perfect example of both. I have both stumbled on to a deeper form of purpose in my life, and also have had to go searching for these anchors. The stumbling part was pretty much an accident. I had been writing about financial independence for years and while at a CampFI conference, met a partner-in-crime who suggested that we do a podcast together.
Although the thought had never occurred to me previously, I knew immediately that I loved podcasting. That I would do it even if no one paid me for it (which no one did) and even if no one was listening (which no one was). Podcasting was the anchor, but then I had to create a brand, build a community, and eventually fill my time with production related activities.
Unfortunately, purpose anchors are not always that easy. Sometimes, they take a mix of intentionality and self-reflection in the form of doing exercises to better define what feels meaningful in our life. Over the next few Substack posts, I am going to introduce five ways of identifying purpose anchors. For today, we are going to focus on the life review process, and how it led me to anchor my sense of purpose in book writing.
Life review is a concept that we often use in hospice. It is a series of specific questions that force us to not only review our past motivations, joys, fears and indiscretions, but also delve into our future wants and needs. A great example of a thorough life review questionnaire can be found here.
A part of the life review focuses on regrets. If you found yourself on your death bed tomorrow, what would you regret that you never had the energy, courage, or time to pursue? While conducting a life review on myself a few years ago, the answer became strikingly clear.
I would regret not writing and traditionally publishing a book.
Another name for regret in the dying is disappointment. Another name for regret in the living is purpose.
Quickly, writing and book publishing has become one of my favorite purpose anchors. My plan is to publish several books over the next ten years. But this inclination didn’t just come to me…I had to search for it. I had to dig in and connect with something deep and hidden in my psyche.
A life review is one way in which you can do the same too. And if that doesn’t lead to the unearthing of at least some purpose anchors, don’t fret. We will cover some other techniques in the next few posts.
Today’s Poll
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Comments from Facebook
I have a family business. Started with myself, parents and brother. Very trying for a lot of reasons over the first 5 years. After 10 years or so I became a sole owner. For the past few years my wife has worked with me. I absolutely love working with her! She has been retired for the last year and I miss working with her.
I think the hardest part of a family business is when some of the family doesn't work in the business and is wanting to give the same level of input as those working it full time.
Path to Purpose Coaching
Over the last year, writing my new book The Purpose Code, I have spent a huge amount of time thinking about, writing about, and discussing purpose. I have offered one-on-one and group coaching to my mastermind group, Wealth With Purpose. These discussions stem from my real life encounters with dying hospice patients as well as the numerous interactions I have had with people after reading Taking Stock.
What I've found is that most of us who listen to the Earn & Invest Podcast struggle with three basic issues:
How do I define purpose in my life?
How do I transition to a more fulfilling career?
What is enough money look like? Enough life?
To help navigate these waters, I have decided to offer the Path to Purpose coaching program. This is one-on-one coaching with me to help you further define purpose, direction, and career. Sessions will be spread over five weeks with a goal to provide a more concrete and enjoyable path to crack the purpose code and start living your life now whether you are broke, pre financial independence, financially independent, or beyond.