Have you ever wondered why you’re here? What is your reason for being alive right now? Without a sense of purpose, are you living? Humans need a reason to wake up in the morning and have some satisfaction in their day–that’s the essence of a purpose-driven life.
Sadly, for many folks, they’ve lost their purpose. It’s not that they abandoned ship without good reason, but the cares of living can choke the life out of you. Do you still believe that you can conquer life’s mountains?
Five Reasons Why You’ve Lost Your Sense of Purpose
If you were to attempt to pinpoint the exact reason why you’ve lost your sense of purpose, what would you say caused it? Have you weathered some health battles that nearly took you out?
Perhaps you’ve had financial struggles that made you nearly lose everything. Here are some common reasons why people lose their sense of purpose and ways you can get back to a purpose-driven existence.
1. Your Anxiety is Ruining Your Life With a Lost Sense of Purpose
An anxious life is one of fear and not faith. Anxiety can make you think and feel things that aren’t true. It’s easy to lose your sense of purpose when stuck in fight or flight mode. When you’re struggling with anxiety, nothing in your life makes sense.
Your mind feels that you’re always in danger, and these overwhelming feelings can dominate your life. How can you live with purpose and conquer your goals when you’re in constant fear? Anxiety comes in many different forms.
Some will have post-traumatic stress disorder, while others will struggle with a generalized anxiety disorder. Regardless of which type you struggle with, none of them are easy. How can you live life to the fullest if anxiety is holding you back?
How to Fix It:
While anxiety is a genuine problem, it’s also a difficulty that’s treatable. Many people don’t get help because their afraid, but things like cognitive behavioral therapy can be of benefit. The type of anxiety you struggle with will dictate the treatment, but there are many ways to deal with chronic angst and take control of your life.
2. You’ve Stopped Dreaming
Life would be pretty dull if you didn’t have a dream. Remember when you were eighteen and the world was your oyster? You had so many plans for your life that you would conquer the world, as you were purpose-driven.
Now, you’ve lived in the adult world for a few years, and the dreams and plans you once overshadow your reality. Do you remember how exciting it was to lie on the ground and look up at the stars realizing that your possibilities were endless? What happened to that person who dared to dream?
Regardless of your age, you must have a vision. It would help if you had something to look forward to and a person to aspire to be. Whether you’re 25 or 80 doesn’t matter; everyone needs to have a dream and a sense of purpose.
How to Fix It:
At the core of someone who stopped dreaming is likely some depression or upsets in your life. If you’re struggling and going through the motions of living, you need to find your purpose again.
A purpose-driven life can mean all the difference between living and existing. Sit down and make a goal list of where you want to be in the next year, and you should start a vision board to watch your dreams turn into reality.
You can change this dynamic by simply starting the dreaming process again. If there’s an underlying mental health concern, fixing it can help you on your path.
3. Success Seems Unachievable When You Lose Your Sense of Purpose
Everyone has limitations. There are things you can’t do because of physical or mental restrictions. However, sometimes the limits are just perceived and not based on reality.
Additionally, sometimes you need to exercise your faith to push yourself forward. Did you ever dream of attending law school, becoming a doctor, or a teacher? Yet, the years of college and the cost of the degree made you feel it was unachievable.
It’s all about your mindset. Remember the old saying, “Can’t, can’t do anything?” Jilumol Mariet Thomas was born without arms. It would seem to the world around her that she couldn’t drive, go to school, or do many things other people do daily.
Imagine the look on the faces at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when she applied and obtained her driver’s license. The 28-year-old uses her feet to drive her modified car. She even stops for fast food and uses her feet like hands to get the order.
Ironically, she didn’t care how grim it looked and never took no for an answer. Everyone has this drive inside them, but you must learn how to release the inner power you hold. Finding your sense of purpose may require you to step out of your comfort zone and try new things.
How to Fix It:
The first place to start is to adjust your mindset. Stop thinking you can’t do something and start focusing on what you can do. Even the things that seem unreachable might be more obtainable than you think.
Why not listen to some Ted Talks or other podcasts where people have overcome insurmountable odds? Hearing these stories of how others overcome can compel you to push yourself a little more. Hiring a life coach is another good move to help you realize your potential.
4. A Lack of Focus Reveals You Lack a Purpose-Driven Life
If you seem stagnant, it’s likely due to a lack of focus. Let’s assume you wanted to finish college and get your degree. However, three kids later, you don’t have the time or money to accomplish this task.
Your focus has been shifted to more pressing matters, as your children are only little for so long. How can you focus on schooling and getting good grades when you’re so preoccupied with your chaotic life? One lady faced insurmountable circumstances when her husband left her with four kids.
She was naturally upset, but she decided she would make something of her life. She went to law school, worked a full-time job, and raised all four kids. Was it hard for her to accomplish this? Yes!
However, she was a judge on the show Divorce Court for 17 years. Mablean Ephriam was a force on the bench, but she was an overcomer in life.
How did she accomplish so much as she only had 24 hours in the day like everyone else? She got her focus right and had an inner drive that wouldn’t let her fail. She refused to be another statistic of someone who lived less than because of her circumstances, as she found her sense of purpose.
How to Fix It:
It’s challenging to keep your focus when you’re being pulled in 150 directions. Thankfully, there are some simple things that you can do to help enhance your attention. Try doing something like meditation or yoga that can help you purge all the negativity and things from your mind that keep you from focusing.
Try mindful living, where you learn to focus on the present and worry about yesterday or tomorrow. If you want to bring your attention to where you can accomplish things, you must let go of the chaos that fills your mind.
5. You Haven’t Found Your Calling
Some people say your sense of purpose is your calling in life. Each person on planet earth has unique gifts and callings. Look at the works of Picasso or Rembrandt. Can you imagine being able to create such masterpieces with your hands?
What about Beethoven? He was one of the greatest composers of all time, yet he was deaf. How can you possibly play music when you can’t hear it? According to The California Symphony, he used vibrations and memories from before he lost his hearing to compose.
What gifts and callings do you have to offer the world? Maybe you can’t play like the great Beethoven or paint like Picasso, but you can show love and kindness to people down and out. Part of a purpose-driven life is finding the thing that makes you feel alive and fulfilled.
How to Fix It:
Matthew 6:21 states where your heart is. There you will also find your treasure too. What makes you happy? Life is too short to be miserable, so you need to find your niche and the things that bring you joy.
Final Thoughts on a Purpose-Driven Life
Sometimes it’s challenging to have faith in yourself when you’re surrounded by fear. If you’ve lost your sense of purpose, the cares of this life may have become so heavy you can’t get beyond your troubles. Today is a new day, and it’s time for you to live the purpose-driven life you’ve always imagined.
You can do anything you want, but sometimes you need a little push. Where do you see yourself five or even ten years from now? Remember, all it takes is one small step to restore your sense of purpose, and it’s time to make a move!
