It’s past 8 p.m. on a Thursday night, and although I left the office earlier than usual, I decided to head back and start my “second shift.” The day didn’t go as planned, and I felt the need to finish well. Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve found that I’m wired a little bit differently than everyone else. I have been able to master myself and my emotions.
There is a great quote by Mark Twain: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” I’ve found this to be true. No matter what your calling may be — whether it’s a path in real estate or solving world hunger — you must find your purpose and become a master of your fate.
Finding Your Purpose in Life
Every morning I head to the office around 6 a.m. and see the odd car driving past. It makes me wonder, “Why would someone be up so early and where are they going?” I know many people who lack goals or direction as to where they want to be. So how do you find your purpose?
Unfortunately, it’s an answer I can’t provide. However, from my own experience I can tell you this: Once you find your purpose, there will be no more snooze button. You will feel less pain, less hunger and less fear, just as I do. You’ll become determined and content to perform any given task at any given moment of any given day.
If you have not yet found your purpose, don’t dwell on it. Have faith, keep moving forward and don’t stop searching for it. Money itself is not a strong enough driver to push you to your limits of achieving your utmost potential. If it were, you’d have no problems waking up to your alarm and heading to your day job.
How I Found My Purpose
April 2013 was one of the most difficult and trying times of my life. I had business deals in both Australia and the U.S. that went sour, I ended a long-term relationship, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. To make things even more unbearable, my grandmother had just passed away. As I’m sure you can imagine, I felt like the whole world was caving in on me.
The life-changing moment came when I was hit with the news of my grandma’s passing. I collapsed to the ground and sobbed. My mind was going through severe pain and suffering, but as I was on the ground, a moment of clarity appeared. I told myself that I really had nothing more to lose except the clothes on my back. It was clear to me that my purpose and “why” in life was to never feel the way I did or be in the same position I was in at that moment.
Today, my purpose and my “why” consist of doing the best I can with what I have at any given moment. I do what I do every single day not for myself, but for family, friends and others that believe in the same vision and bigger picture. There is no better feeling than seeing a smile on someone’s face when you give them something of value.
It Could Be Anything
Your life changing moment and when you really find out who you are and why you were placed on this earth may arise at the absolute lowest point in life. Until then (hopefully it doesn’t get that far) keep searching and don’t stop.
Finding your purpose is a very powerful feeling, where everything feels right and just makes sense. It might consist of your kids, family, a cause or even leaving a legacy. Maybe even all of them combined. Either way, your hindsight becomes 20/20, and it just feels great.
A version of this post originally appeared on the Bigger Pockets Blog here.
