Inspiration is everywhere. The business of personal development coaching and live or virtual events that “transform your life and 10X your revenue” has exploded in the last 10 years or so. But is the proliferation of these events achieving the goal of helping people align with their life’s purpose?
My business partner, Patrick Combs, and I run a transformational company called Bliss Champions and recently published a book called “Purpose Code.” We’ve been invited to be guest speakers at many of these coaching events, so we have a behind-the-scenes perspective on these businesses. Unfortunately, we conclude that most have become entertainment. Big venues, big audiences and profit drive many of them; not true personal and professional transformation of the attendees.
Patrick and I have coached thousands of people to realize the gifts that lie inside of them. We deliver our message not from a “fake it until you make it” mentality that is so prevalent in the world of business coaching today, but from a perspective that unleashes the authentic power that resides in the purpose you were born with. We help you unlock your purpose and teach you how to align with it.
Unlocking your purpose is about discovering your greatest bliss and your greatest sense of purpose. It’s also about discovering that side of yourself and building a business out of it to give you the greatest joy.
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What is the Purpose Code?
We refer to a process that shines a light on real purpose with greater joy as the result. Our combined life experiences have honed a methodology to accomplish that goal. Business owners and creatives can apply the code to help them align with purpose and realize exceptional gifts that eventually will turn a profit for them. We believe that the missing piece is joy, the result of career and personal life alignment. Based on much evidence, such alignment often produces the greatest financial gain, as well.
Deploying the Purpose Code will get you through life’s biggest obstacles. It will answer the questions:
- What are my greatest gifts?
- How can I be the best version of myself?
To get started on the path to discovering your purpose, I invite you to ask yourself the following important questions:
- Are you joyful?
- What change is required for you to be more joyful?
- How do you 10X your joy?
After answering these questions, take inventory of your career and personal life to see whether you are in alignment or not. This is how to begin this all-important journey.
Figuring out your life’s purpose for some can be a quick process. Many people have a passion or side hustle that feels like a calling; if only they could make it into a full-time career.
Attaining financial success is often seen as nearly impossible to do while following your dreams. Most wind up putting their hopes and dreams on the back burner in order to focus on a job that has security and the more common values society places on a “good career.”
You’re not alone if you fall into this group. It’s very common — but why? Most people are too afraid to make the change, take the leap, and would rather not take a risk.
Let me tell you, I would not be where I am today without taking risks. I never would have started my first business and gone on to establish 20 more companies. Reinventing yourself, starting over or making a career change can all be intimidating tasks. The fear of failure can keep us paralyzed and working a job with no gratification for our entire lives.
Doesn’t that sound scarier than taking the risk? Doesn’t it sound more terrifying to one day look back and regret that you didn’t take a chance? When it comes to taking the leap, believe in yourself and understand that failure is only another stepping stone to success.
The difference between those of us who achieve really great things and those who don’t is often the perception of fear and response to failure. The courage to begin, and more importantly, get back up when you’re knocked down is what differentiates dreamers from doers.
Related: Choosing Your Best Pathway to Purpose Through Entrepreneurship
How to find your purpose
If you need a little push to realize your true purpose, I’d recommend an internal inventory of what brings you maximum happiness — not just money.
Ask yourself questions like:
- What is it that really matters to you? Making a difference in the world? Helping your community or a certain group of people?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your dreams?
- What is that thing you never thought you could accomplish?
- What are your key abilities that you recognize in yourself?
- What are some key abilities that friends, family or co-workers often recognize in you?
Moving out of these beginning stages requires introspection and allowing yourself time to evaluate what you really want out of life and how you believe it can be accomplished. I can’t stress enough the importance of planning — so while I wouldn’t suggest quitting your day job today, I do recommend investing in your dreams. Start by answering the above questions to help you identify your true purpose.
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Monetizing your purpose
After discovering your calling, you may immediately jump to, “How do I make a lot of money from this right away?” Remember that unlocking your purpose is not a path to instant riches.
Great wealth may accrue, but only if you have undertaken what we call a “Bliss Journey.” Before you ask your bliss to pay your bills, you must give it time to grow. Finding your bliss is your single greatest opportunity to maximize your joy, work for true fulfillment and acquire financial freedom.
Monetizing your bliss in most cases, however, will take some time and effort to develop. Give yourself the best chance to succeed you can by starting now and building a strong foundation for a successful business. Refine your craft, learn what you honestly believe you’re best in the world at and think of how to turn it into a service. Take the thing you love doing and start a side hustle.
Start by creating an online presence for your trade and working on it whenever you can make time, even if it’s nights or weekends. Share your new passion project with your friends and family and get their feedback. Circulate it with coworkers, your network of neighbors and community members, and use these opportunities to practice, practice, practice. Find a mentor in the field or area you want to explore. Learn all you can from him or her, even if it means working an internship or auditing a college class.
It will take time, but with a little bit of dedication and motivation, you can take your newly discovered passion and unlock your true calling by turning your dreams into reality, one day at a time.
