Purpose Driven Life
I had what you would call the perfect life. Happily married, two kids, a house in a great neighborhood, a fantastic job with the best boss and the best team that one can imagine, financially secure, and living a healthy life. BUT, something was missing. I couldn’t pinpoint at the time what it was but I felt incomplete. The light in me was barely there and I was just letting the days go by. As a pharmacist, I knew I wasn’t depressed. This was a different feeling.
The questions kept coming to me…Am I going through a midlife crisis? How do I want to live the rest of my life? After a few YEARS of thinking and exploring these questions, I realized that I was searching for my purpose in life, what I stood for, and how I wanted to contribute to this world. Soon, I was on a mission to find my purpose. I thought about what I was interested in, which was actually really hard. Growing up in an Asian family, I read and studied a lot. I didn’t get to explore interests like the way my kids do. I had to dig deep. What did I enjoy as a child and into adulthood? How did I spend my free time? I realized that the books I gravitated towards were psychology books, specifically, those about human behavior. I was curious about why people did what they did, what motivated them, and how to bring about change. Throwing that in with the primary reason of why I became a pharmacist was to help people and guide them to living a healthier life, mind and body. And there it was, I found my purpose: helping others live their best life so they can go on and do what they’re meant to do. To ignite the light within them. This purpose led me to get a Health & Wellness Coaching Certification, combined with my pharmacy degree, I can make a real impact both in my pharmacy profession along with coaching clients.
After figuring out how to find my purpose on my own, I soon realized that there’s actual research on how to find your purpose and the benefits of it. Knowing that earlier sure would’ve made my life easier. Combining your interests (what drives and energizes you) and your unique strengths to serve others or something higher than yourself creates purpose. There it is.
Studies have shown that having a purpose can aid in overcoming stress, depression, and other psychological problems. Purposeful people also have stronger immune systems and live longer. Purpose correlates with financial success, resilience, and happiness.
For leaders, a clear sense of purpose also helps with burnout. It makes your team more resilient, motivates them to give it their best at work, and helps prioritize work when encountered with endless tasks. When starting a new project, emphasize why it’s important and how it aligns with your organization’s mission, serving a higher purpose.
