Adam Leipzig teaches us that life’s purpose can be learnt by answering these five questions:
1. Who you are?
2. What do you love to do?
3. Who do you do it for?
4. What do these people want?
5. How are they changed as a result?
One possible set of answers could be:
1. Who you are? [first name]
2. What do you love to do? “I design apparel”
3. Who do you do it for? “For men and women”
4. What do these people want? “Affordable clothing”
5. How are they changed as a result? “Look and feel their best”
This translates to:
“I design apparel for men and women who need affordable clothing to make them look and feel their best.”
So if you love to teach yoga the answer could go as follows:
1. Who you are? [first name]
2. What do you love to do? “I teach yoga”
3. Who do you do it for? “Busy men and women”
4. What do these people want? “A moment of peace”
5. How are they changed as a result? “Feel connected, renewed, and whole”
This translates to:
“I teach yoga to busy men and women looking for a moment of peace to make them feel connected, renewed, and whole.”
This technique works because it expresses your purpose in terms of service to others. It allows you to orient your actions to face outwards and allows you to provide a larger framework for your actions.
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What terrific advice! I am currently reinventing myself after successfully defeating cancer. I have some lingering issues from treatment that prevents me from returning to my previous line of work. I started a blog to help others fight and beat cancer and along the way, I rediscovered my love of writing. You are absolutely correct; I am happier when I serve others and in return I am cared for. I am on the right path and your words inspired me to keep going. Thank you!
Inge