Are you living life pleasing others thinking you are living your purpose?

Defining our purpose in life can be an elusive concept. Whenever it was mentioned at workshops or seminars, I felt excluded and wondered, “What did I miss?” Many people believe that their purpose is to empower others or fulfill a specific role in society. However, is this really the case? Could our purpose be something more personal and individualistic?

I spent a significant portion of my life striving to please others at my own expense, both emotionally and physically. It wasn’t until I observed the world around me that I realized how fruitless it was to try and make everyone else happy. The more I focused on pleasing others, the more I lost touch with myself and what I valued. I lived with anxiety and stress, and I became bitter and angry with life. I became someone I didn’t even recognize.

From a young age, we are taught to be kind to others and share what we have. We are told to strive to be a “good person” and we are taught to believe that we need to belong to a religion or a special group to be validated. And there is this philosophy that the poorer you are the better person you are.  To be honest, I never quite understood this philosophy. If you are poor and have nothing to give, how can you be helpful to society? It’s as if we’re taught to prioritize others over ourselves, to believe that someone else’s life matters more than our own.

But why must we believe this? Why are we told to poke our noses in someone else’s business when we should be focusing on ourselves and how we impact the world? I learned that true fulfillment comes from being the best version of ourselves and living life on our own terms, not someone else’s. We need to prioritize our own happiness and well-being, and from there, we can make a positive impact on the world around us.

Becoming the best version of yourself means pursuing our own unique goals and aspirations, and striving to continually grow and evolve as individuals. When we become the best version of ourselves, we naturally have a positive impact on those around us. Our own personal growth becomes a ripple effect, spreading outwards and inspiring others to do the same.

How do we identify and pursue the best versions of ourselves?

It starts with self-reflection and self-awareness. We need to take the time to understand our own values, passions, and strengths.   Ask yourself What is your personal philosophy?  From there, we can set personal goals that align with our vision of our best selves.

But personal growth isn’t just a destination – it’s a journey. We will encounter obstacles and setbacks along the way, and it’s important to approach these challenges with resilience and a growth mindset. By viewing setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth, we can continue to evolve and improve over time.

This approach to purpose is different from more traditional views that prioritize helping others or fulfilling a specific role in society. While these ideas certainly have merit, I believe that true fulfillment and purpose come from within. When we become the best version of ourselves, we naturally contribute to the world around us in meaningful ways.

So, what is your purpose? It’s not about being the best in your field or fulfilling a certain role. It’s about becoming the best version of you, whatever that means for you personally. Embrace your journey of personal growth, and watch as abundance flows into every area of your life.

What can you do today to start your journey in becoming the best version of yourself?