Well here we are again, the start of a New Year, making our New Year’s resolutions! It is a time for reflection….
- What have you learned?
- What have you accomplished?
- What more do you want to do going forward?
- Isn’t this a great opportunity to focus on what is most important to YOU?
- Are you excited about getting up every morning?
- Do you feel you are spending time on things that are important to you?
Over the last two years, I have been doing a lot of research and reading about the boomer generation’s approach to redefining the second half of life and finding their Encore. What really comes up for me is that more and more people are seeing the importance of living their life on purpose. Some of us are waking up to see that we have been on the hamster wheel of life, living unconsciously with very little thought for our purpose. So many people are realizing that their ‘calling’ might be around giving back to their community or addressing a social issue or problem.
What is purpose?
Purpose answers the question – “Why do I exist?” Purpose is our reason for living . It is our reason to get up in the morning. Purpose is what pulls us in. Purpose gives us courage, confidence and passion! Purpose helps us to prioritize our activities and aligns with our values and interests.
How do we find our purpose?
I read an article recently, “Purposeful Aging: Running Toward not Running Away”, which highlights the importance of looking at our accumulated assets and experience. It is good to reflect on the disruptions, life events and turning points of our lives as a place where we can discover our purpose. Let’s not run away from who we were but take a look at who we have been and learn from that. Finding our purpose means looking inward, giving yourself permission to look beyond who you have been and begin to think about what matters for you at this stage in your life.
Encore Tampa Bay’s “What’s Next” Workshop on January 24th can help you find your purpose by guiding you to reflect on your past, discover what matters to you and gain clarity on what you want to focus on in 2014. Learn more!
Dispell the Myths of Reinvention
Marc Freedman, (Encore.org founder), also wrote a New Years blog dispelling the myths of reinvention. He challenges us to consider the idea of reintegration, as opposed to throwing out the old and start with the new. Let us honor who we are and what we bring to the table as we begin to uncover or discover what parts we want to align with our values and purpose. Living your life on purpose does not mean having to quit your job or leave your spouse – it merely means being conscious about how you want to spend your time in the second half!
