Did you ever ask yourself what’s the meaning of life? If you ask a scientist, they might answer “survival,” most philosophers, “none,” and the grand entrepreneur will show off what they built in life. When demotivation holds us back or when we want to give our lives a lasting significance, don’t look at others. I challenge you, think more specifically. What’s the meaning of your life? What meaning do you want to give it? This blog post will guide you from finding meaning to leaving a legacy.
Read more: Discovering Your Life’s Meaning and Legacy
How to Give Your Life Meaning
Imitating others won’t make us happy. We feel something is missing and when we have a hole in us, we often try to fill it in an unhealthy way. We seek for a partner to make us whole; we consume social media, junk food, or drugs to distract us; we self-pity. Common. You are not so stupid as to believe that would solve your problem, are you?
“Nothing changes if nothing changes.” – quote from Prison of Loneliness
Kigai from bestselling literary fiction novel Prison of Loneliness is at the brink of ending it all when she takes the first timid steps towards giving her life meaning again. Originally from Japan, she receives a question from a colleague, “Can you explain ikigai to me?” and so she explains.
“Imagine four circles that overlap in the middle. One circle is what you are good at. Another is what you like to do. The third one is what the world needs. And the last one is what you can get paid for. […] Ikigai is when all the circles come together.”
That way, you’ll thrive in what you do. Will you and Kigai find your ikigai?
Let Purpose Guide Your Actions
Did you know that it’s not only our personality that defines our actions, but also the circumstances we are in? Especially the impacts for ourselves decide whether we are indifferent or engaged. I describe that in more detail in my work-in-progress non-fiction book “The Psyche’s Shape.”
And so, when we have a clear purpose in life and want to leave a legacy, many circumstances will impact our dream. The question whether to engage in an activity that doesn’t advance us vs. investing our limited time into working towards our goal becomes easy.
We don’t only gain more drive, though. As a side-effect, we also appear more independent and less needy, which will make us more attractive to others.
Do you want a free list of actionable steps to build a legacy? Sign up below. (This way, you’ll also get notified about the release of The Psyche’s Shape.)
Other helpful resources
Don’t imitate others, but seek advice. When your idea is developed, all you have to do is to commit over time. I collected a view helpful resources from people who can help you develop and commit to your endeavours.
Non-Fiction Books:
- “Atomic Habits” by James Clear*: A comprehensive guide on habit formation, offering practical strategies for building good habits and breaking bad ones.
- “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek*: Explores the importance of identifying one’s purpose to inspire action and leadership.
- “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey*: Provides a principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems.
Fiction Books:
- “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho*: A novel about a young shepherd’s journey to discover his personal legend, symbolizing the pursuit of one’s purpose.
- “Siddhartha” by Hermann Hesse*: Chronicles a man’s spiritual journey toward self-discovery and enlightenment.
Courses:
- Mindvalley‘s* “The Art of Manifesting” Masterclass by Regan Hillyer: A free masterclass on unlocking one’s creation superpowers.
- Mindvalley’s* “Lifebook Online”: Guided by Jon and Missy Butcher, this course helps individuals define and achieve their personal vision across 12 dimensions of life.
- Mindvalley’s* “Be Extraordinary”: Led by Vishen Lakhiani, this program focuses on personal transformation and realizing one’s potential.
*These are affiliate links for which I get a small comission if you buy, at no extra cost for you. By following these links, you support my blog so I can continue bringing value to you through posts like this.
Key Takeaways
Finding meaning for one’s own life can give us a boost in motivation. When we fill our lives with purposeful activities, it will not only benefit our mental health and lead to great achievements, but also make us more attractive to others.
Seek advice from others and commit over time to get from finding a purpose, over forming habits, to building a legacy. Get your list of actionable steps—for free. Sign up below.
A Keepsake
Purpose is found in the journey; legacy is what we leave behind. If you resonated with this series, keep a reminder close. Grab this design on merchandise as a token of your journey toward purpose and legacy. T-shirts, tanktops, hoodies, mugs, tote-bags, or poster—you can get a print in any form in our shop.
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