Have you ever seen a post on Linkedin with a headline like:
“Your personal purpose is a symphony waiting to be composed, each note harmonizing to create a masterpiece that resonates with your soul.”
Or, this gem:
“Discovering your personal purpose is like finding the compass that guides you through the turbulent seas of life, steering you towards your true north.”
These phrases may be cheesy (so cheesy!), but they are also good reminders to embrace personal purpose with enthusiasm and joy.
As proposal professionals, we often get lost in the daily grind, just ticking off checkboxes and meeting deadlines. But finding our personal purpose and infusing it into our work can take things to a whole new level of fulfillment and success. Purpose becomes our guiding star — pushing us forward and impacting our professional growth, company culture, and client relationships.
Now, how the heck do we find that purpose?
- There are some exercises that can help. Journaling is a powerful tool to dig into our thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. By jotting down our passions, interests, and values, we might spot patterns that point us in the right direction.
- Meditation and mindfulness can connect us with our inner selves, revealing what truly brings us joy and fulfillment.
- Don’t forget to try new experiences and challenges, like volunteering or exploring hobbies. They can open our minds and help us discover a deeper sense of purpose.
- Engaging in open conversations with trusted friends, mentors, or counselors can provide valuable insights that can be instrumental in identifying your unique calling.
Feeling stuck? No worries, there’s a ton of resources out there to help you uncover your purpose. I tried an online course Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most and found it comprehensive yet refreshingly simple. It had a good mix of stories and suggestions to help me on my journey.
Just remember: finding purpose is a dynamic and evolving journey, so be patient and let it unfold naturally. Not having a specific purpose defined doesn’t mean you’re lost or lacking direction. Embrace the uncertainty, explore different paths, and live authentically – that’s where the true value lies, cheesy quotes aside!
Becky Petty
Pursuit Strategist
Becky is an APMP Practitioner with over a decade of proposal experience. She currently works as a Pursuit Strategist for EY where she drives the adoption of leading-class pursuit excellence and account management through exceptional client service and effective people engagement and teaming. When Becky isn’t working on proposals, she enjoys taking walks and watching old movies with her family.
