Day 3: 30 Days — 30 Ways — Stop searching for your purpose

What is my purpose? We all ask ourselves this. My advice is to stop and reassess or even forget this question exists, if you don’t already have the answer. I am not clear on my true life’s purpose. Some people know and others don’t. Stressing about it won’t help you find it. Spending a ton of time trying to find it may distract you from taking action and living your life.

Instead, maybe ask, what do I like to do? Do more of what you enjoy. I am a fan of squeezing in things I like to do in between my obligations. If it feels stressful to squeeze in the thing that brings you joy, reassess how much you enjoy it.

If you’ve lost motivation to have fun because you have way too many obligations, see if there is an obligation you can give away. Celebrate the things that you like to do, and remember to keep doing them. Draw out two lists — the have to and like to lists. If you like some of the things you have to do, take note of that.

Here is an abbreviated example of my have to — like to list: have to: clean, do dishes, do laundry, make sure my boys eat, make sure my boys shower, earn money, pay bills, teach and respond to students. like to: cook with my boys, play outside with my boys, spend time in nature, write poems and stories, and teach and respond to students.

For one week, one day, or even one hour — see if there is some way you can remove something from your have to list. Maybe you could create a have to but has to wait list — or a __________ has to do this now instead of me list. This depends on whether there are others around to help. Do figure out a way to enjoy one of the items from your like to list each day. Pay close attention to the items that you both have to and like to do! This section of your list may help you to discover how to both earn money and enjoy life at the same time. Additionally, inspect your like to list with a magnifying glass. Is there something on that list that could be transformed into a career, a podcast, an article, a blog, or anything else that would help increase your happiness, feelings of success, or overall earning potential?

What is the point of doing all this? Where are we headed on this expedition to the brighter side of the moon? I’m not sure yet. 30 Days-30 Ways is in its experimental phase! If you are here with me, reading along, thank you so much! Your reading and participation are appreciated.

Will completing all 30 days of this help us to gain success, happiness, wealth, and health? I hope so!

I would love to hear your responses, questions, concerns, etc.