Have you ever thought about how funny it is to encourage someone to “find themselves?” I mean, here we are, sitting with ourselves (mind, body, spirit) for years, and then around 18-25 years old we are told to find out who we are.

I mean, where were we all this time? Weren’t we hanging out with ourselves the entire time?

Yet, journeys of self-discovery are as much a part of humanity as getting married or having kids—it’s a coming-of-age experience. Some of the best stories ever told, from the Odyssey & Iliad to the film “Stand By Me,” are about the protagonist finding himself while on a journey.

It’s no different when it comes to finding one’s “purpose;” and it’s inextricably connected to finding one’s self.

How to Actually Find Your Purpose

It’s been there all along, sitting in front of us or in our subconscious. Some of us discover it earlier than others, while others can spend a lifetime searching for it.

“Purpose,” if you will, is like the treasure of our soul that’s either buried deep underground or nestled in the top soil waiting for us to kick around and find it.

For the past few years, I’ve been teaching professionals in a corporate setting how to find their purpose and connect it to their daily work.

Here are THREE STEPS I shared with them, which I want to pass along to you:

FIRST, ask yourself the following:

1. What do I value the most in this life?
2. What do I want my legacy to be?
3. Which strengths, skills, and talents do I get the most joy out of using?
4. How would you articulate your personal core values (keep it to 4-5)?
5. Who do you want to serve? Which audience has given you the most positive feedback when you’ve given of yourself to them?

SECOND, take a page from Simon Sinek (the purpose guru) and craft 2-3 working “WHY” statements.

What’s a WHY statement?

Sinek proposes every good purpose (or WHY) statement follows this formula:

“To (enter contribution) so that (enter desired impact).”

For example, my own WHY statement is: “To help people flourish in who they are and what they do so that they can make an impact on the world.”

It’s OK to start broad; next week we’ll dive into making your WHY statement actionable. For now, use your 2-3 working statements to craft one final statement.

LAST, share it with friends, family, and the Lord. Talk about it; pray about it! This will keep you connected to your purpose and how you can bless the world around you. If it helps, write it down on a sticky note that you leave near your computer, on your bathroom mirror, or in your car. Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight what’s unique about your purpose and how you can love others around you through living your purpose.

Researcher, author, and purpose expert Victor Strecher says, “Your ‘best purpose’ becomes your inner motivator, turning on the ignition switch in your brain to transcend the noise in your life and focus on what matters most.” Connect to your purpose and switch on, for your own sake and for the sake of the world.