Four Ways to Find Clarity About Your Life Purpose

Most people want to live a life rich in meaning and purpose. Instead, they live a life of quiet desperation. And as, Henry David Thoreau noted, “go to their graves with their song still in them.” They spend more time frustrated than fulfilled. If you’re reading this, you are one of those people awakened, or awakening, to your WHY.What do you need to be among those who finds their song and shares it with the world? Perhaps the most vivid and popular example of this is recent was Susan Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent.  Even if you’ve seen this clip before, it’s worth watching again.[video width="640" height="356" mp4="http://kevindmonroe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Susan-Boyle-Britains-Got-Talent-2009-Episode-1-Saturday-11th-April-_-HD-High-Quality.mp4"][/video]Like Susan, you have a treasure hidden within you. Your quest is to find your treasure and share it with the world. When you do, your song, book, poem, painting — whatever your medium of expression is — will inspire and impact others, maybe even millions.Join me on a journey as I guide you through four elements that are essential to your living a life that fulfills you and inspires others. I call it Living Your WHY. If you want a deeper explanation, read the mini-manifesto. Clarity is Not a CommodityEverybody wants clarity, few, however, are willing to pay the price to get it. The primary reason for that is that clarity takes time, and most people want it now. And would probably pay a premium for it, if we could bottle it, microwave it, or make it available through the drive through or instant download. If you have a way to do that, let’s talk.

Think about all of the areas in life where you want, or wanted, clarity.

What college should you attend?

What should you pick as your major?

Should you follow the career path of your mother or father?

Should you accept this job, or promotion, offer?

Is s/he the one?

Should we buy this house?

Which school is best for the kids?

So until your favorite coffee shop is serving clarity by the cupful either over the counter or at the drive-through, here are my top recommendations for finding clarity.Finding ClarityClarity through action. Too many people want to see the complete path laid out to their desired destination and then decide whether or not to take the first step. It doesn’t work like that. At least not for most. You may be one of those rare people for whom that has happened. If so, please contact me, I’ve got to hear your story and how that happened for you.Most of the people I know had some sense of direction — more of a compass than a map and set out in the general direction that they thought was right. The path illuminated step by step. Of course, there are times you have more light and see farther down the road.[clickToTweet tweet="It’s a journey of faith — whether you’re a person of faith or not, this journey requires faith. " quote="It’s a journey of faith — whether you’re a person of faith or not, this journey requires faith. "]Clarity through conversation. I cannot count the times in my life that I found clarity through conversation. For me, it’s not usually the chit-chat kind of discussion, but rather the deep heart-to-heart conversations with close friends, coaches, or confidants. Often those closest to you can easily see things in or about you that are hidden from your sight.Clarity through reflection. Please don’t get boxed in on the best way for you to reflect on what works for someone else. Find the practices that work best for you. My friend Jean-Marc hikes the same mountain every day and finds immense clarity along the way. Others walk, run, swim, bike to clear their minds and through that cleansing find clarity.Others meditate, do yoga or another mindfulness practice that creates a sacred space for reflection to occur. Then there are those who draw, paint or sculpt to remove the clutter and get in touch with their true self.Millions journal and find great clarity through writing. Recently, Michael Hudson called to share the significant breakthroughs over a difficult business issue that came through a time of intense journaling. It helped him find clarity. Once he had clarity, the next steps were obvious.Clarity through community. Sooner or later, you will encounter a situation where you need additional help to navigate your way. That’s where a Clarity Council may help. To my knowledge, this practice originated with the Quakers back in the 1600’s. Clarity Council is my label for what the Quakers called a Clearness Committee.The Clarity Council is a group of people who gather around the person seeking clarity and create a supportive environment for inquiry. They serve by asking questions that help the person find clarity. No disguising advice as a question is allowed as is offering advice or counsel. The purpose is to be a sounding board and a haven for the inquirer to find their answer.Clarity Alone Doesn’t Cut It[clickToTweet tweet="Clarity is priceless, but clarity alone is not enough." quote="Clarity is priceless, but clarity alone is not enough."]Once you know what to do, you must follow through to act, and that takes courage which is our next stop on this journey.

• In your experience, what practices are most helpful for you finding clarity?
• Is there an issue on which you need clarity now?
• Which path will you take to find clarity?

Living Your WHY is a great community that exists to support people like you on the Road to WHY. Learn more here.If you are looking for a coaching relationship to help you Live Your WHY, contact me. Stay tuned for my next post when we consider the role courage plays on your Road to WHY.Shoutouts: Opening graphic courtesy of LightSource and obtained through depositphotos.com.Parker Palmer, A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life provided my first introduction to the Clearness Committee.