One the hardest and most difficult things to grapple with is finding meaning to what it is we do. This particular alignment of our current state of mind with our greater purpose is tough – most especially when we are going through transitions and phases in our lives where we question so much of the present and how on Earth we got to this point.
I see it time and time again and it’s pained me so much that I thought I’d write not just about it but address this very real and very self-consuming issue directly – of course in the way that I know how to.
Question: Ramy, how can I feel significant when my actions and daily activities do not align with the way in which I see myself?
First and foremost do not get down on yourself and feel so wretched about a decision you have made or not made that led up to this point, it truly gets you nowhere and only hurts you time and time again leaving you without focus and an excruciating amount of emotional pain.
It hurts damn it. I know. Things move so fast and so obliquely in what appears to be so unfair. Here you are, potentially years into an investment of your time and your life and yet fulfillment still feels so out of reach. Sadness kicks in and dark clouds seem to be rapidly approaching on the horizon. Where do we go from here?
…in comes who to the rescue? YOU to the rescue…YOU.
…but Ramy, you’re the coach!
Oh please. This is your match. This is your time. This is your moment!
What do Super Heroes do? They come up with a plan. At least good ones do. And you my friend, are not missing anything from the qualities of your favorite Super Hero.
Sure, you may not be able to fly or break through walls or bend air, but damn it you have what it takes to turn it around once you put together the plan that only you can follow because it is you who knows YOU best. Understood?
Seriously, breathe a little. Relax and allow yourself some room to devise the ultimate strategy that will bring that feeling of being alive back…the feeling you received after landing that one job or client you were once exited about! The feeling of YES the feeling of IMPORTANCE the feeling of SIGNIFICANCE and PURPOSE.
Those feelings are magical, and I hope I can bring just a snippet back for you starting with a quote from one of my favorite shows and someone I was once compared to growing up…Dennis the Menace (yes I caused frequent mischief and still have to comb down my hair on the back of my head everyday).
Yes, it was Dennis the Menace who once said,
The best thing you can do is get good at being you! Dennis T Menace.
So how and where do we start with this crazy and elusive idea of getting very good at being YOU?
How do we rescue ourselves from ill forming toxic thoughts of what the future may hold?
We plan more for the future going forward. That’s how!
Here is my go-to process, simplified, in all its glory…
…and if you’re wondering whether I purposefully made my process visually look like Superman’s. Geez. Yes, ok. I did. Get over it, and let’s get to work!
The Purpose Process
Step 1: Identify your passions PLUS (bear with me) skills that apply directly to them.
Step 2: The ever so elusive profession. Not sure? Start by taking a free personality test based on Carl Jung’s work. You can take that here or for a more in-depth analysis, take the paid Myer’s Briggs test here. Yes, there is a lot of science behind this.
Step 3: Profitability. Do your passions and profession align? And if they do, can they sustain you emotionally and financially? Remember, we’ll always be aiming to support ourselves! 🙂
Step 4: The PLAN. Yes here I think it’s great to find a coach you “mesh” with, where his/her experience in combination with the chemistry between you two can really add structure, hold you accountable, and be a confidential and encouraging sounding board throughout your journey.
Step 5: We get you closer to your PURPOSE. Now hold your horses here. This is not about you meeting your Creator or anything close to it! This just translates into “things feel right about good at this moment.” Actually, with a feeling like that you can be quite happy because when you feel good on the inside, you’re closer to the feelings of love that created you in the first place. 🙂
That’s beautiful isn’t it?
Recap/Summary Video
Again, please remember, this is a PROCESS. The more we give it thought, time, and investment, the more profound its future impact will be.
And yes, you better remember for the sake of yourself and everyone who loves you and cares for you that your true and real significance is your existence.
Your success, is and will always be your persistence, despite, but especially in times of challenges, roadblock and emotional despair.
Those before you who found success have done so because they put in the time, discipline, seriousness and continuous effort & investment in this process.
Will you do the same for youself?
I’ve got an enormous amount of faith in you. If you don’t, it’s time you do!
Yours sincerely,
Ramy Ballout
Founder at Ramy Ballout Coaching & AirLinked.
This is for the doers, the creators, and the disruptors – the “Dennis the Menace” types who through constant iterations, roadblocks and failures have managed to pick themselves up and elevate themselves and their businesses to levels that surpassed the expectations of themselves and all those around them.
To you who do not give up as you work through the night and push yourselves through your waking moments, I salute you. You know who you are even if we have not met before. This article is especially for you.