How Do We Gain Direction?
Often people live their entire lives never knowing what they want. They will follow someone else's lead and try to live up to other people's standards and expectations. To avoid this mistake, you must learn how to be purpose-driven and intentional about your life.
What Does Purpose Mean?
Purpose is a word that gets tossed around a lot, but what does it really mean? For some people, purpose is defined by their career or their family. Others might find purpose through charitable work or creative endeavors. But there's one thing that all Purposeful people have in common, and that is they have focus and direction. They don't just go through the motions day after day. They set intentional goals and strive toward something bigger than themselves.
You can live an incredible life full of wonderful people and experiences. You can be focused and prepared for life's obstacles and curve balls. You can be confident in who you are and where you are heading. You really can enjoy your time here on earth on this amazing journey called life.
Our Purpose
The Ink Journey is committed to helping everyday people achieve life balance. We believe this is only possible when you have a plan. Having a plan will reassure you that you are achieving your goals and that you are staying on track. If you fall short and get off your path, finding your way back won't be hard because of the roadmap you've designed.
Survival Tools
Keep these five documents available to you and within arms reach. It will give you confidence and help relieve unnecessary stress and anxiety. You will feel accomplished in all that you do. You will live a life that is fulfilling and purpose-driven. Below is a list of five tools that will help you feel prepared for whatever comes your way. These documents, when done correctly, will help eliminate stress and anxiety.
A Bucket List:
A bucket list is a list you keep that includes everything you want to be, do or have before you leave earth. It helps you think chronologically about your life and forces you to think about your future. The nice thing about having a bucket list is it will not let you focus on any negativity from the past. It keeps you grounded in the exciting things that lie ahead.
Thinking about all the new experiences and dreams you wish to accomplish can nourish your spirit in brand new ways. A well-crafted bucket list can push you to try new things and think outside the box. A bucket list can give you a sense of purpose and accountability.
It will help you determine what's important to you and only you.
Of course, you can experience some of your list with others, but it is designed specifically for you. It also helps you to learn how to say no. If you are one of those people who goes with the flow and compromises for others, this will give you new direction. Just ask yourself, is what I'm doing on my list? Is it closely related to what I want to achieve? If you answered no, it's time to refocus and get back to doing you.
Resume:
A well-constructed resume has the power to open your eyes to who you are and what you have accomplished. It is important to keep your resume updated continuously and have several variations.
Your resume describes your strengths, qualifications, and what makes you unique. Not only do employers need to know this but so do you. It would help if you kept it in front of you. If you are feeling down on yourself or less than worthy, you should pull it out and take a look. I guarantee you will feel better after looking it over.
You will feel amazing seeing your education, work experience, skills, and strengths all summed up. Seeing your career objective staring back at you will give you a sense of purpose and direction and build your confidence.
Grab Your Free Guide to How to Create a Vision Board That Works Today!
Vision Board:
There are so many ways you can approach creating a vision board. The value in having a vision board is that it is more short-term, whereas the bucket list is long-term. I recommend doing a vision board every year. Place some of the items from the bucket list on it. Use colorful pictures and affirmations to design it. Lastly, please keep it in front of you so you can see it daily.
A Vision Board will motivate you to stay on track. It's like a checklist because you will see what you have accomplished and it will inspire you. Work towards the goals you have set every single day. Our busy schedules often make us feel our goals are out of reach and impossible. A vision board lets you visualize what you want and sets your thoughts on what is possible. It frees your mind from any limitations that may be lurking. Seeing your vision board daily will condition you into believing that anything is possible.
A Will:
This can sometimes be a complex subject to approach, but it is a necessary conversation. A "Will" is simply a document that will carry out your wishes if something happens to you. It doesn't matter how old you are. Everyone should have a "Will." I know it's difficult to believe that there will come a day that you will no longer be here on earth. It's okay. If you have anxiety associated with that thought, then simply think of this experience on earth as a journey we all get to take. Eventually, we arrive at our true destination. This was just the path.
Something to consider
When you travel or leave for vacation, most of us don't want to leave the house a wreck. It's something about returning to a clean home that makes us feel better about going in the first place. There are certain things you want to tidy up and leave in order before you go.
This should also be true about our final departure. We should want to leave things tidy and in order. It will be an emotional time for our loved ones, and we should want to help them as much as we possibly can. This is only possible if we leave instructions. It will take the pressure off and take the guesswork out of it. Plus, you get to call a few more shots in your absence.
Clarity
It also helps you in the present moment. It Lets you think clearly about who is capable and mature enough to handle your arrangements. If you create your "Will" now while you are alive and well, you can come up with clear and concise preparation for your affairs. You can now decide who gets what, so there won't be any confusion. You can choose who will take care of your minor children or even who will be able to provide a home for your pets. You can even leave instructions about giving to your favorite charity or setting up a scholarship or foundation in your name. If you don't have much in the way of leaving something, then simply plant a tree in your name.
The Obituary
Lastly, the obituary is the final document that will give people more insight into who you are and what was important to you. Please don't make someone write this for you. It's difficult for a grieving family of loved ones to think during the difficult time. Its even more impossible for them to remember important dates, names, and other details about your life.
Gaining perspective
Also, when you write it yourself, it helps give you perspective. It allows you to embrace the idea that one day this journey will be over. It may ignite something inside of you to move with a sense of urgency to go after your goals because tomorrow is not promised and today isn't either.
To sum it all up, being intentional and responsible about your life is important. We have to make our lives count because we only get one chance to do it. Let's live our life with purpose and clarity. Let's be intentional and prepared. We don't want to have any regrets and we want to live our lives to the fullest.