How do I find my purpose? (a common misconception)

Anyone who has ever felt lost has probably googled "how do I find my purpose?"

The problem is we think we need to locate our purpose like finding the perfect outfit.

When actually your purpose is a spark already growing within you and you either encourage it until it is significant enough that you become aware of it or smother it depending on your life decisions.

When searching outside yourself for your purpose, you can easily get caught up looking for the perfect career or job.

Yet once you uncover your purpose, you'll understand it was within you all along.

Now that my greater purpose is clearer to me—which helps me identify micro-purposes in my daily life—I can see which life decisions brought my purpose into awareness.

Meaning you can stop looking for your purpose and instead nurture and cultivate it. Like a seed in the soil, it's there. But you're not going to see it until it grows and even when it sprouts, it can take some time to be certain that it is indeed the seed you planted and not a weed.

These are the 3 life decisions that will grow the spark of your purpose into a bright, guiding light:

Follow your curiosity

Growing up, I was consistently average in school and university. I used to think that having a purpose meant being exceptionally skilled at something specific. 

Without any standout talents, I simply followed what interested me - a decision that unexpectedly led to both clarity of purpose and significant career advancement.

Following your curiosity means pursuing what naturally draws your attention and energy, regardless of whether it seems practical or profitable. 

It's about trusting your internal compass rather than external expectations.

This approach is powerful because our natural interests often point to our innate strengths and potential paths of growth. When we engage with what genuinely excites us, we tap into a wellspring of motivation and resilience that can sustain us through challenges.

Research in positive psychology shows that people who pursue their interests are more likely to enter a state of flow, leading to increased creativity, productivity, and job satisfaction. 

In my own career, following my curiosity led to unexpected opportunities and connections that wouldn't have emerged if I'd stuck to a conventional path.

To follow your curiosity, start by noticing what captures your attention. Maybe it's analysing market trends, solving technical puzzles, or helping others learn. 

Take small steps - read a book on the topic, join an online community, or start a side project. 

The key is to explore without pressure for immediate results.

Tangible goals

Throughout various interviews and performance discussions, I was repeatedly asked about my purpose and future vision. In those meetings, I would give whatever answer seemed most appropriate, but truthfully, my main motivation was simply to increase my income.

Achieving a six-figure salary by age 30 became my milestone. 

Interestingly, it was only after reaching this goal that my true purpose began to emerge—marking both the conclusion of one chapter and the beginning of another.

Setting tangible goals contributes to discovering your purpose in an unexpected way. 

As you work toward these concrete objectives, you develop new skills, gain different perspectives, and uncover interests you may not have known existed. Each achievement becomes a stepping stone that helps clarify your larger purpose.

Unlike abstract aspirations, tangible goals provide clear milestones that signal progress and completion. Whether it's reaching a certain income level, learning a new skill, or completing a project, these goals give you a defined target to aim for.

When (and often only after) you achieve these goals, you gain valuable insights about yourself and what truly matters to you!

Without getting caught up in a complex goal setting framework, simply - take a moment to reflect on what you truly desire in life.

What specific milestone could you start working toward? 

For example:

• Saving $10,000 in your FU fund by December 2025

• Running a 5K race within the next 6 months

• Learning to code by building your first web application

• Starting a side business that generates $500/month

• Getting certified in your field of interest within 12 months

Having a specific target creates momentum.

Heal you trauma

Even after following my curiosity and setting clear goals, I still couldn't fully grasp my purpose. The breakthrough came when I discovered that unresolved trauma was creating an invisible barrier between me and my potential. 

Like trying to see through a foggy window, my purpose was there but unclear until I addressed my deeper emotional blocks.

Working with your subconscious mind means engaging with the deeper parts of yourself that influence your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours. This involves techniques like meditation, hypnosis, and therapeutic journaling that help access and heal these deeper layers of consciousness.

The importance of this work cannot be overstated. When we carry unresolved trauma, it acts like a filter that distorts how we see ourselves and our capabilities. Research in neuroscience shows that trauma can literally reshape our brain's neural pathways, affecting everything from decision-making to self-worth.

Studies have shown that people who engage in trauma healing work experience significant improvements in their career satisfaction and decision-making abilities. One study published in the Journal of Counselling Psychology found that addressing psychological barriers led to a 40% increase in career clarity and confidence.

To start this healing journey, you can join The Resonance Club Subscription, which offers self-paced exercises combining hypnosis and journaling.

For those seeking more personalised guidance, I offer one-on-one coaching sessions. Using proven frameworks, we'll explore your unique potential, identify key areas for development, and create actionable strategies to help you uncover and embrace your most authentic path forward.

To me, purpose feels like my true identity. It's an extension of who I am and a lens through which to makes sense of myself and the world around me. 

It's that "weird" that sets you apart.

When you discover your purpose, suddenly all that weirdness clicks into place.

Take a moment today to write down three "weird" things about yourself - traits or interests that make you different. 

These unique qualities might just be pointing you toward your purpose.

When you discover your purpose, you'll find that what once felt like limitations or oddities, are actually your greatest assets. 

– Mollie Hollie