Rich Habit #16 from the online list is this:
16. Know your main purpose.
Here’s the process the author recommends for discovering one’s true purpose:
1. Make a list of everything you can remember that made you happy.
This would be a very long list. Probably you’re supposed to add to the list over time.
I decided to start with my blog tags.
- family
- God, or at least my religious experience
- music
- creative work/play: writing, knitting, baking, sewing, making things, web design
- the beauty of the earth
- outdoor activity: hiking, camping, swimming, mild stuff like that
- travel: exploring new places
- learning
- teaching
- interesting conversations
- the arts
- work: discovery, accomplishment
- books
- math and science
- creating/enjoying a beautiful home
- helping people
- analytics
- gardening
2. Highlight those items on your list that involve a skill, and identify that skill.
- music
- writing
- learning
- teaching
- knitting
- sewing
- baking
- making things
- web design
- helping people
- analytics
- gardening
- creating a beautiful home
3. Rank the top 10 highlighted items in the order of joy they bring to you. Whatever makes you happiest of all gets 10 big points.
- writing
- learning
- music
- analytics
- teaching
- helping people
- knitting
- sewing
- baking
- creating a beautiful home
4. Now rank the top 10 highlighted items in terms of their income potential. The most lucrative skill of all is worth 10 points.
- writing
- analytics
- teaching
- helping people
- music
- knitting
- sewing
- baking
- creating a beautiful home
- learning
5. Total the two ranked columns. The highest score represents a potential main purpose in your life. Presto!
Writing?
Is that a purpose?
Here’s how I wrote my purpose some years ago:
I gather, analyze,and disseminate information in order to help people reach their goals.
I guess that covers writing, analytics, learning, teaching, and helping people. The other skills on the list are for my own pleasure.