Start with Why

I’ve been thinking a lot about my purpose in life lately.

I’ll tell you about mine in a sec, but first, why is it even important?

You might have noticed this basic fact – with your friends, kids/partner if you have them, colleagues, employees – if someone knows why they are doing something, they’re more likely to do it.

In my previous role as an HR consultant and trainer, I used the example of a factory production line. If you say to an employee “put this bit of metal in here” they’ll probably do it. Will they do it with much care? Probably not.

If you tell them that piece of equipment is an essential component in a lifesaving pacemaker, and getting this right could mean someone living to see their grandchildren – how much more effort and care do you think you’ll get from them?

That’s the power of purpose. As Simon Sinek would say – Start With Why.

For years working as an HR Consultant, I felt so misaligned. As I mentioned last week (it’s in this blog if you missed it), I believe it’s a key reason why I burned out in 2021.

I was really good at HR, training and people management. It was comfortable. But did I love it? No. Did it light me up? Sometimes (especially when training or creating safe spaces for people to talk about their experiences – a key reason I ended up doing retreats). Was HR what I wanted for the rest of my life? HELL NO.

Reaching the realisation that this was not my life purpose was a huge turning point.

But it wasn’t the end. It was the beginning…. of me searching, until I landed on an idea that felt true and right for me. And so, Shine was eventually born.

Let’s be honest, the realisation you’re not doing what you are truly meant for, often comes way before realising what you actually are meant for… not helpful if you are struggling through a role or situation that you’re unhappy or uncomfortable in.

So how DO you find that purpose?

There are lots of ways – but the key for me is that you give yourself space, and patience.

You can do this by giving yourself time and space to work out what it is you love, trying different things out, letting your heart and soul lead you to what you really want, and really listening to those little niggling feelings and ideas, giving them time and space to be explored.

Journalling, coaching, and weekends away (including retreats, of course) are all great ways to do those – hit reply if you’d like some free journaling prompts on purpose.

It’s normal to be scared. It’s normal not to be sure, and to not have the full picture. It’s normal for it to be hard. It’s normal to feel discomfort. It’s normal to make mistakes.

But taking steps into the unknown, following your heart, and allowing something new and beautiful in is also rewarding, magic, and joyful.

So what’s my purpose? Helping women like you, do stuff like this. ⬆️