Find Your Purpose & Change the World: 5 Simple Steps

Do you ever feel like you were meant for something more? Like there's a deeper purpose calling you—but you’re not sure where to begin?

Here’s the truth: the world needs your unique gifts.

By aligning with your authentic self and passions, you can create positive change, starting today.

There is no one else exactly like you in the universe. Your perspective and way of expressing yourself are entirely unique. This gives you the rare and priceless opportunity to offer a gift to the world that no one else can.

This uniqueness provides each of us with a rare and priceless opportunity to provide a unique gift to the world. Even when we do work that is similar to others’, our presentation and expression is guaranteed to be different.

The Dagara tribe in Africa honors this truth. They believe each person contributes something irreplaceable to the world. When a tribal elder passes away, they liken it to an entire library burning to the ground—because the elder’s wisdom and gifts are forever lost.

We need to realize that we each have a wealth of information inside us as well, more than enough to fill an expansive library. Each of us is the only person in the world with our exact knowledge, experience, and understanding. Recognizing this truth and finding ways to share our uniqueness is how we, as individuals, can make the world a better place.

Here are 5 Steps to Get  Started:

1. Actively Work to Discover Your Purpose

At an education conference in 2011, the Dalai Lama asked people in the audience what they thought was the biggest threat to our world. He got a wide range of responses including nuclear weapons, global poverty, and the environment. To that, the Dalai Lama responded by saying, "The greatest threat to our world is we're raising a generation of passive bystanders."

Don't be a passive bystander in your own life.

Commit to taking an active role in not only discovering what you are here to give, but in living it. There are enough passive bystanders. The world needs more of us to take an active role in serving others with our unique talents and gifts.

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." -Howard Thurman

When I was feeling stuck in a corporate job that no longer fulfilled me, I started asking myself simple but powerful questions: What brings me the most joy? What feels meaningful to me? The answer wasn’t immediate, but small moments of inspiration—like the peace I found in nature and sound healing—eventually guided me to my current work.

What small sparks of joy are calling to you?

Write down three activities, moments, or experiences that have sparked joy for you recently. What patterns or themes do you notice.

2. Be Your Authentic Self

I've spent a lot of time studying and working with personality assessments, including using assessments for hiring and screening good employees. One thing I've seen time and time again is that when a person doesn't act in congruence with their true self, they have high levels of discord in their lives. This discord can include challenges in finding employment, building relationships, and ultimately finding happiness and success.

I once met a physician who struggled with authenticity at work. His true nature was introverted and reflective, but he thought he needed to be overly social to succeed. This tension led to emotional swings and high staff turnover. When he finally embraced his authentic strengths, his practice began to flourish.

The closer we can align our words and actions with our hearts, minds, and values, the more authentic we can be for others. When we are authentic, we also feel better about ourselves and the world in general. Practicing authenticity is something we can do every moment and in every situation. We don't suddenly wake up one morning as an authentic person. We have to choose authenticity with every breath and every moment. When we get off track, which is bound to happen, we must choose to return to a place of authenticity.

When was the last time you felt fully aligned with your true self? How can you bring more of that feeling into your everyday life?

3. Play Big

We all have a comfort zone where we like to stay. Our work, family, and daily routines provide us with a sense of necessary security. It can be easy to stay in our safe routine unless something forces us to drastically change such as an illness, divorce, layoff, or other major life event.

Don't wait for a major event to move you into action:

• Step out of your comfort zone every day.

• Try new things, meet new people.

• Explore the world, explore your community.

• Make bold moves.

• Play big.

"Your playing small does not serve the world’ ~Marianne Williamson

I know this can feel intimidating. When I first launched my own business more than 10 years ago, I was terrified of putting myself out there. But with each client and seeing their positive results, I gained more confidence.

Playing big doesn’t have to mean quitting your job or making drastic changes overnight. For one of my clients, it started with speaking up during meetings—a small but bold move that eventually led to a leadership role.

What small action can you take today to expand your comfort zone?

4. Tap Into Your Inner Voice

Everything you need to know about your purpose and gifts is already within you. The key is learning to listen to your inner voice. When you connect with it, you’ll feel more clarity, calm, and confidence in your next steps.

The challenge? Many of us are so busy “doing” that we rarely take time to just be. But finding moments of stillness is essential for tuning in.

Here’s one practice to try:

• Find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted.

• Sit comfortably, keeping your back straight.

• Breathe deeply and simply observe your thoughts. Allow your mind to wander without trying to control it.

After 20 to 30 minutes, you may begin to feel a sense of flow and lightness. Over time, this quiet practice can help you hear your inner guidance more clearly.

Don’t have 30 minutes to sit in stillness?

Try a 5-minute check-in: Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and ask yourself, What do I need most right now? Write down whatever comes up.

"Men and women begin to become great when they begin to take time quietly by themselves, when they begin to practice solitude." ~ Catherine Ponder

5. Choose Love Over Fear

It has been said that every decision we make comes down to a choice between love or fear. When our actions come from a place of love, our mind is open to all the possibilities around us. We see things that may not have been evident before, we feel more confident, and we're willing to step out of our comfort zone.

When our actions come from a place of fear however, we limit ourselves and those around us. We don't do things that we want to do.

Compare the qualities of each of these emotions. Where would you like to spend your time?

Qualities of Love: Openness, Acceptance, Compassion, Awareness, Community, Sincerity, Service, Loyalty, Respect, Inspiration, Honesty, Bliss

Qualities of Fear: Anger, Resentment, Lack, Limitation, Jealousy, Greed, Malice, Anxiety, Not Enoughness, Shame, Loathing

We each have the power to change the world. We can tap into that power by sharing our unique gifts with the world, by being our true selves, and by coming from a place of love.

"One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world." ~ Malala Yousafzai

When our actions come from a place of fear, we limit ourselves and those around us.

A few years ago, I was faced with a difficult decision: stay in a stable, well-paying job or pursue the work that truly lit me up. Fear told me to stay safe, but deep down, love for my purpose guided me to take a leap. Choosing love over fear doesn’t mean eliminating fear; it means taking action despite it.

Where are you letting fear hold you back? What would choosing love look like in that situation?

Next Steps

You already have the gifts needed to create change—just by being your true self. So take that first step today, no matter how small. The world is waiting for your light to shine!