Finding Your Purpose: The Best Start to a New Year

Finding your purpose behind your goals is what sets the difference between achievement and fulfilment. Uncover that purpose to make each step of your journey more meaningful.

Each new year brings a new set of goals and resolutions. But this year, it’s time to conquer deep goals and aspirations to eliminate bad habits.

Indeed, these last years have been filled with challenging times that led many of us to question our lives and the meaning of it. To make sense of our lives, to become resilient and driven, having a sense of purpose is critical.

If you're on this quest for meaning, read this article for guidance. You will learn:

● The difference between purpose and goals

● Why finding our purpose is the compass to our goals

● Finding your purpose: Enrich your life and inspire others

Having a purpose in life is a fundamental human need.

Think of it as your NORTH STAR, guiding your life with profound meaning and direction.

Purposes consist of the core motivating aims of your life. These are the reasons that propel you to move out of bed each morning. But defining purpose isn’t a straightforward task. It is more of a deep-seated feeling that aligns with who you truly are and want to bring to the world.

“Goals are tangible objectives set in various life aspects, but the purpose is the overarching aim that gives these goals meaning and direction,” says Asma Dakhouche, Founder and HOLON visionary.

Most goals focus on achieving specific outcomes and don’t always connect to a broader sense of purpose.

Let’s understand this with an example: Imagine setting a goal to lose 5 or 10 kg or slim your waist. Achieving this goal would no doubt give you a sense of achievement.

But achievement doesn’t mean fulfilment.

Those 5 or 10 kg just might come back before the end of next year. While you might enjoy a momentary triumph, you could feel a sense of void unless you defined a purpose behind your goal.

Now, that “purpose” behind losing weight could be about choosing a healthy lifestyle in order to enjoy living longer.

Imagine the many precious moments you’d get to enjoy with your loved ones because of that purpose.

Wouldn’t that prove to be more fulfilling?

Goals alone may fail to include meaning, deep passions and values into our lives.

Finding purpose extends beyond achievements.

Having a purpose leads to a meaningful life and gives you the strength and resilience to achieve your objectives.

Recognise the profound impact of purpose on our lives, let’s delve into 3 essential aspects that guide us towards a more intentional and fulfilling existence.

1. Know yourself first

It may seem obvious, but caught up in the whirlwind of life or a bad patch can disconnect us from our true selves. As you know, this is a challenging task, revealing unconscious (old or recent) conditionings and influences we have been subjected to.

But finding your purpose requires knowing yourself. Engage in a bit of soul- searching to truly understand who you are.

Reflect on your values. Rediscover your childhood passions. Find what gives you a deep sense of joy and fulfilment or what positive impact do you want to have on the world.

2. Think beyond yourself

Finding your purpose encourages you to be intentional and might extend beyond yourself. Instead of asking, “What do I want to achieve?”, you may reflect on: “What are my talents that can be applied to the community that surrounds me?”

Research suggests that purpose involves an external aim– a desire to contribute to matters larger than self. It is an abiding intention to achieve a long-term goal that proves personally meaningful and also leaves a positive mark on the world.

Here’s a true example (or inspiration): David Dyer’s fundraising for Hope4.

David’s health took a massive toll due to Covid. Mere evening walks became a challenge for him, climbing steps seemed daunting.

After having recovered from a long Covid, he's now on a quest to summit Mount Kilimanjaro–tallest mountain in Africa, the tallest freestanding mountain and the 5th tallest mountain in the world.

For a Covid survivor whose daily tasks left him breathless, why is he now braving extreme weather conditions, glaciers and ice-fields? What’s his purpose?

It’s for a cause larger than himself. He endures it all for raising funds for a UK Humanitarian Charity called Hope4.

His journey exemplifies the profound impact a purpose-driven life can have. A life that extends beyond yourself to serve something greater.

3. Purpose can be simple

Purpose doesn’t need to have a huge global impact. As long as it feels genuine to you, it can create a ripple effect, impacting the lives of others just by living a life that is more authentic. And this stems from living an intentional and authentic life. A life dedicated to who you are, what you believe in and what brings you true happiness.

Finding our purpose is a virtuous cycle, like Asma explains it perfectly: “Purpose guides our goals, and these goals, when pursued meaningfully, reinforce our purpose. And purpose is one of the key pillars of health, well-being and longevity.”

Your purpose makes every step of your journey as valuable as the destination.

Finding our purpose is not just a long, lonely journey. It involves unexpected encounters that broaden our horizons. It also inspires those around us to follow in our footsteps on an enriching adventure that will enable them to embark on their own inner journey.

Finding your purpose often requires a little help.

HOLON will soon be sharing a guide to support you in this fulfilling journey - the Purposeful Life Guide. It will bring insights, introspective exercises, and practical tips that will empower you in discovering and embracing your unique sense of purpose.

Join us here to be a part of our vibrant HOLON community.

Let’s make this new year, the first step towards a journey of finding your purpose and inspiring the community around you.

HOLON wishes you a Happy New Year, filled with the joys that come with finding your purpose and embracing a purposeful life!

Swetha Mukherjee is a freelance writer at HOLON with a deep passion for the Wellness industry. Read more of her work on Medium or LinkedIn

Disclaimer:

The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.