#MiddleburyCT
Insights for constructive living
By PAT IANNUZZI
To live a purposeful life means to be continually focused on things that are meaningful and rewarding. It essentially boils down to concentrating on aspects of living we deem important, valuable and desirable. Our purposes reflect our innermost reasons for living and can embrace a wide range of factors. These may include the fulfilment of individual desires (a positive personal relationship), the expression of personal values (kindness toward others), the accomplishment of specific objectives (financial security), the appreciation of particular features of living (history, opera), the demonstration of certain character strengths (honesty), and the application of personal skills (leading, teaching), among others.
For many of us, the primary avenue through which we can approach living a purposeful life is our work. This is why we should strive to prepare ourselves for and to seek out work that is fulfilling and satisfying. A sense of purpose in one’s work can also inspire people to be more productive and happier. However, due to individual circumstances, this is not always possible, and so we need to continually search for ways to find purpose in other areas of our lives as well. This is especially important for those who experience job shift or are retired. In fact, retiring early is associated with reduced longevity and an increased risk of dementia. This adds additional emphasis to why we need a sense of purpose that transcends work.
But purpose isn’t something that just happens to us. It isn’t like we just accidentally fall into it as if it were a puddle in the middle of the road. Deep down, we may long for a purposeful life, yet all too often we spend our days thinking and behaving in ways that are not attuned toward achieving it. Purpose is something we need to consciously cultivate, but that’s an activity that many of us have never really spent much time doing. You can’t fulfil a purpose in life, after all, unless you clearly know what it is.
Finding purpose requires some focused attention. Start by reflecting on past experiences that made you feel really good inside. Think back to activities you have really enjoyed and instances that made you very happy. Analyze them to better understand what was actually going on during those moments. Also think about others you admire or perhaps even envy. Consider what it is about these other people whose lives appear to be appealing to you. This should give you some clues as to your own values, goals, wants, needs and desirable character traits and can help provide you with some clarity as to your own purpose or purposes.
Another approach to finding purpose is to streamline and organize your life. If you always have too much going on, you can wind up reacting all the time and have no opportunity to proactively explore and direct your own life. You’re just being sucked into other peoples’ life purposes with no time available to devote to your own. This is neither productive nor healthy.
Identifying that which matters most to you will allow you to devote your energy to the appropriate areas and activities of your life. Additionally, individuals with a strong sense of purpose tend to live longer and are more psychologically resilient. Living with purpose doesn’t require big, dramatic actions and isn’t only available to those whose daily activities resemble some kind of “high calling.” Purpose can be felt in the simpler moments of life by simply doing what you want to do because it gives your life meaning.
Pat Iannuzzi of Symbiotic Performance Group, Inc. is a performance consultant, trainer and coach focusing on selling, presentation and interpersonal skills. He lives in Litchfield and can be reached at 860-283-9963 or piannuzzi@symbiontnet.com.
