How to Discover What Your Were Meant To Do

Have you ever spent time trying to figure out your calling? Are you still wondering what in the world you want to be when you grow up? Has life turned out exactly as you expected or are you amazed at where life has somehow taken you?

I recently finished reading The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do by Jeff Goins and I can’t seem to turn my brain off. The book has left me excited, prompted me to think and examine my life and my future, and taught me to be aware of what life is trying to teach me.

I firmly believe that each of us has been called to do something. There is a purpose and a plan for your life, something that God specifically created you to accomplish in the short life you have been given. Your calling is what you were born to do, Jeff describes a calling as “that thing that you can’t not do” (pg. xx).

And yet, how many of us spend years doing things that we hate? How often do we complain about the work we do? We settle into the lie that this is just what grown ups do, we go to work, we make a paycheck, trading hours for dollars in an effort to live a fantastic life in the tiny margins outside of work.

This isn’t a book to make you feel more frustrated with your job and just decide to throw in the towel and quit, this is a book that teaches you to examine your life and your work. To think about the things that are important to you, to notice when your life (and God) speaks to you and to listen. This book will act as a guide as you learn and grow into something much more than you could have ever imagined. To face your fears, embrace failures, and realize that success will never be found on the comfortable, easy road.

“In spite of what we say, we don’t want happiness. It’s simply not enough to satisfy our deepest longings” (pg 10). “We can distract ourselves with pleasure for only so long before beginning to wonder what the point is” (pg. 11).

Everyone has a calling, a reason for living. Your calling might be accomplished through the job that supports your family financially, your calling might be accomplished in your acts of service on the weekends, or maybe your calling is something that weaves itself into everything that you do. But you have a calling and in order to find true fulfillment and purpose in life, you must pursue your calling.

“The path to your dream is more about following a direction than arriving at a destination” (pg. 108). There will not be a day when you suddenly look around and realize that you “have arrived”, you can finally retire and spend the rest of your days relaxing on the beach. Your calling has no finish line. In fact, in the best circumstances, your calling far outlives you as a legacy. You won’t ever accomplish everything that you set out to do and that’s just fine because everyone is called, there is much work to do.

Go pick up this book. Examine your life, your work, your purpose. Spend some time in prayer and reflection and then, passionately move forward into the adventure that you were created for.

Today’s Action Step:

Take some time to think about your life. The patterns, the major events, your passions and interests to see if there are any common themes or signposts that might guide you into discovering your purpose. For more guidance on this, pick up the Art of Work.

Additional Resources:

How to Discover Your True Value to the World

An Invitation to Become Brave

Should We Actually Pursue Happiness?

30 Questions to Help You Develop More Clarity for Your Life

How to Pursue Your Personal Goals

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Working Mom’s Balance Email Club – click here.