This week I know my purpose. Last week, I did not. This week, I beat resistance. Last week, I did not.
What is my purpose? It fills the byline of best-selling books, Sunday morning sermons and study guides everywhere. We’d think it was an elusive boogeyman that with enough chai tea, we’d discover and never have to worry again.
I’ll leave the pontificating of the meaning of purpose to the spiritual experts, but, here are two things in your life that WILL affect it.
Meet Resistance.
This is the second, but the most important thing.
You know what your purpose is. Even if you say you don’t, I bet you do. You’re just not admitting it, out loud. What’s stopping us from living it isn’t a preacher’s sermon, book, or an affirmation. It’s the invisible force of internal drive, activated.
What stops that? — — — -> Resistance.
Resistance will show up every day in two ways:
Days you decide to work.
It joined me this morning for my cup of coffee. Told me once again, no one cares what I have to say. My business skills aren’t special. Just average. It’s ok to be average. After all, most people are. In fact, you’re already ahead. Relax.
“Resistance’s goal is not to wound or disable. Resistance aims to kill. Its target is the epicenter of our being: our genius, our soul, the unique and priceless gift we were put on earth to give and that no one else has but us. Resistance means business. When we fight it, we are in a war to the death.” -Steven Pressfield (The War of Art)
The only way to beat him is to START working. It won’t take long but commitment is his kryptonite. After your work begins, he gets bored and leaves. Then, whatever you’re meant to do unfolds.
The Drift.
Napoleon Hill wrote a manuscript in 1938 he thought too provocative for his time and put in the drawer. In fact, his wife made him promise he wouldn’t publish it. His grandson published it just a few years ago; Outwitting the Devil.
In somewhat eerie fashion, he describes a conversation he had with the Devil and how he keeps a hold on people. Drifting. Tragedy doesn’t have to strike. Death doesn’t have to have its fear in you. But, if you don’t commit to any cause or realize what you were put here to do, his mission is accomplished. Drifting through life, having a good time, without taking the time to think, is the ultimate stake through the heart.
How It Tries to Stop Me.
90% of the work done on this blog happens between 5 am — 6:30 am. The drift is what makes my bed more comfortable when the alarm goes off. The drift assures me I have plenty of time to write something, just not today. Do it tomorrow. Better yet, catch up on Saturday. Then, on Saturday, it says, “Hey, it’s the weekend!” Sleep in!
Last week, I did that, every day. Resistance won.
This week, it beat me, once. I beat it by saying in my head, DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW. Then, jumping out of bed at 5:37 am Tuesday, I immediately went to my writing room.
Discover Your Purpose
Above, I wrote that you probably know your purpose, even if you can’t admit it. Maybe you say, ‘I really don’t, I have no idea.’
A purpose isn’t going to be revealed to you in a burst of bright light and vision. It’s going to whisper softly, you are _______. The process of personal growth will reveal it to you over time. It’s just underneath the surface of our most shallow self, waiting to be discovered.
Do this, write out: “I AM _____”; and see what comes out.
If you commit 15 minutes a day to think, without your phone, it’ll appear.
Then, resistance will show up. That’s where you’ll begin talking yourself out of it. To beat that, refer to point number one.
Today I know my purpose. Today, I beat resistance.
Let’s see what happens tomorrow.
Question for You: Do you know your purpose? How does resistance show up for you?
CALL TO ACTION
I’ve written a manifesto on how to know exactly what you want, create your future and re-wire your brain to succeed. This 3 step process is detailed in my FREE e-book: You, The Ideal Candidate: A Short Guide to Getting Exactly What You Want In Your Career — and Life. Click here to get a free copy sent right now.