Which of these 4 quadrants do you fit into currently? Success, in and of itself, does not lead to well-being. Some are very successful, but also depressed. Some are successful and also have a sense of purpose in their success. The difference between one and the other is that one is Worn Out and the other is Thriving. Would you say you are thriving? Are you living a life of abundance and purpose?
The Gallup Organization’s Well-Being study reported that less than 5% of the population consider themselves thriving in all areas of well-being. That means that most of us are in one of the other three quadrants, barely surviving and far from thriving.
So how do you find a sense of purpose in your life and make your life significant? Start by following your dreams. Do you have any dreams and goals for your life? Are they the kind of dreams that require you to perform at a level that seems foreign to you right now? Dreams become like a large magnet pulling us through all the challenges and obstacles that stand before us. Dreams inspire us to pursue, not just any action, but actions that connect you with who you were truly meant to be, with your purpose in life. When we live a life of purpose, our life becomes significant, and that unlocks a powerful source of wellbeing.
Our extraordinary dreams, and the pull they have on our actions, can not only help us discover our purpose, but prove that we are capable of amazing accomplishments, such as:
• owning a successful business that creates great wealth for ourselves and others
• discovering the cure to a disease or the solution to a unique problem, and making a huge difference in the lives of many
• leaving a legacy that will change the world forever
Whether you share any of these specific dreams or not, know this: Your dreams are a CATALYST, an agent of change. They ignite the passion that fuels the endurance and action required to overcome any obstacles that keep you from living a life of purpose. If you’re not 100% clear on what your dreams are, your odds of achieving them are significantly reduced. Your dream, the CATALYST, the thing which truly energizes you, will help you uncover your purpose in this life. The world around you is depending on you to discover that dream and live out your purpose.
So how do you find your dream and uncover your life’s purpose? Remember daydreaming as a child? Look once again for the same sense of wonder, possibility, and complete, unshakeable engagement. Turn off the voices in your head that argue why your dream is impossible. Just allow yourself to imagine the possibilities and ask yourself these questions:
Ask these questions with an open heart and mind. Then look for the emotion. When you find an answer that brings up strong positive emotions, you have found it! You have discovered the dream that will push you into a life of significance. Earl Nightingale, a famous personal development expert said, “The more intensely we feel about an idea or a goal, the more assuredly the idea...will direct us along the path to its fulfillment.”
FIND YOUR DREAM. Find your CATALYST. Then allow it to pull you into action and you will be well on your way to thriving.