Realize Your Meaning & Purpose

Live Your Life on Purpose

Having meaning and purpose in life provides passion, motivation and a driving force to persist in the face of challenges. Adversity can make you feel lost and make it difficult to stay motivated to accomplish daily tasks.

Truly knowing yourself, understanding why you do what you do and having a sense of direction can help to know why you are here and what you are supposed to be doing.


With their meaning and purpose clearly in mind, resilient people create a vision and set realistic plans that keep their dreams and hopes in focus. Goals help you regain control and give your days direction even when things are chaotic and difficult.

 

So, rather than wishing problems would just go away, create a personal vision, set some goals, and take purposeful and decisive action.


Ask Yourself:

  • Who am I?
  • What is my meaning and purpose?
  • Do I believe in myself and ability to overcome?
  • What kind of person do I want to be, and I am that person now or would I benefit from changing?
  • What is one thing I am going to do today that helps me move in the direction I want to go?

Resources

Career Services - Need a little help in the search for yourself? Talk with one of our mental health practitioners about career and personal growth and development. 

Community Engagement - Explore your meaning by volunteering. WSU Community Engagement connects students with purpose-driven work. 

 

LiveWell Winona - For some, faith-based worship is a path to purpose and meaning. Discover the opportunities in the Winona community. 

Winona Connects Volunteer Hub - Explore your meaning by volunteering. Check out the many opportunities in the greater Winona area.

The Meaning Of Life - An academic look at the meaning of life, as described by the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

How to Find Your Life's Purpose and Make Yourself a Better Person - Here are some ideas from LifeHack on how to find your purpose.

3 Unexpected Ways to Find Your Life Purpose -  Find your purpose with three simple tips.

How to Know Your Life Purpose in 5 Minutes - This TEDx Talk describes how to find your life purpose fast so you can get on to living more fully.

My Philosophy for a Happy Life - In this video, 17 year old Sam Berns shares his thoughts on how to lead a happy life.

How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime - This TED Talk discusses how it's not so simple to just "get over" childhood trauma.

Questions for Purpose Worksheet (PDF) - Ask yourself these questions and reflect on your answers to discover your purpose in life.

SMARTER Goal Setting Worksheet (PDF) -Setting goals helps you understand where you currently are and where you want to go. The SMARTER goal process helps you get long-term direction with short-term motivation so you turn your dreams into reality.

What is my WHY? Exercise (PDF) - "Why?" is an important question to ask whether you are two years old or 20. It helps you understand what you want in life and how to direct your time, energy and focus into things that have meaning.