Some people measure success by the wealth they’ve accumulated, the power they’ve attained, or the status they’ve achieved. Yet, even though they’ve reached success beyond their wildest dreams, they still have an empty feeling — something is missing from their life. In order to fill that void and be completely fulfilled in life, their soul may be searching for something more.
Although everyone is different, there are common threads that bind a life with purpose.
Live by your beliefs and values. People who live a life of purpose have core beliefs and values that influence their decisions, shape their day-to-day actions, and determine their short- and long-term priorities. They place significant value on being a person of high integrity and in earning the trust and respect of others. The result is that they live with a clear conscience and spend more time listening to their inner voice than being influenced by others.
Set priorities. People who live a life of purpose identify those activities that matter most to them and spend the majority of their time and effort in those areas. Otherwise, it’s too easy to drift away in the currents of life. As Annie Dillard, the author, once said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
Follow your passion. People who live a life of purpose wake up each morning eager to face the new day. They pursue their dreams with fervor, put their heart into everything they do, and feel that they’re personally making a difference. As James Dean, the actor, once said, “Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.”
Achieve balance. People who live a life of purpose put their heart into their career and into building relationships with friends and family. They also reserve adequate time to satisfy their personal needs. Achieving balance means living up to one’s potential in all facets of life.
Feel content. People who live a life of purpose have an inner peace. They’re satisfied with what they have and who they are. To them, the grass is greener on their own side of the fence. As the saying goes, “The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money.”
Make a difference. People who live a life of purpose make a meaningful difference in someone else’s life. They do things for others without expectation of personal gain, serve as exemplary role models, and gain as much satisfaction witnessing the success of others as witnessing their own. As the old proverb says, “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”
Live in the moment. People who live a life of purpose cherish every moment and seek to live life without regret. They take joy in the experiences that life gives and don’t worry about keeping score. Dr. Seuss may have said it best, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
This is adapted from Follow Your Conscience: Make a Difference in Your Life & in the Lives of Others By Frank Sonnenberg
Additional Reading:
Living Life With a Purpose
The Gift of Giving
Giving: The Most Important Lesson in Life
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I am a recent new blogger. As a teacher, writer, life coach, and fitness trainer, I feel I have a responsibility and part of the job description is to not only maintain and spread a positive attitude but to inspire others to do the same. I came across your blog and used your link in my article. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am at www.dflexfit4life.me
Hi Dawn
You have a wonderful attitude. The world needs more folks like you 🙂
Thanks so much for your encouragement and support. I appreciate it. Have an awesome day!
Best,
Frank
i feel better after reading these. Thank you for sharing.
Thank YOU Cuong.
Best,
Frank
Hi Frank thanks a lot for this articles and for sure its of great benefit especially in our world today
Thanks Mark. I’m glad you like it 🙂
Best,
Frank
Simple. Sweet. Impactful.
Thanks for posting this.
Thank YOU Travis 🙂
I used it as my preaching to share with my parishioners thanks your article this is it why we need how to live on purpose!
Hi Benjamin
I’m honored. Thanks so much for letting me know.
Best,
Frank
This is a way to live again… you changed my life and i am ready to make good use of what i have (life)
Hi James
I’m so glad the post resonates with you. Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
Hello Frank,
All the way from Saudi Arabia here. What a nice article and I needed these words. Thank you for your time and words
Hi Faris
Thank you for your kind words.
It’s wonderful that living life with a purpose is as relevant in Saudi Arabia as it is here in America 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
From Nigeria thanks for sharing your knowledge on life it’s insightful
Alakwe
I’m glad you like it. It’s nice to see that these principles apply universally around the world.
Best,
Frank
thanks mr. frank for this article i really appreciate and plead that you will continue to throw more light on this important issues of life so that our generation can learn from it.
Thank you Patrick. I’m glad you like the post.
I’ll continue writing as long as I feel I have something meaningful to say.
Thanks for taking the time to write 🙂
Best,
Frank
Dear, Frank
I’m a Ph.D. student in Thailand, doing a dissertation on how to help university students find their purpose. I was searching traits of a person who has purpose and I found you blog. It is very clear. Thank you so much.
ps. I’m impressed that you answer every comment. It’s very sweet and gentle.
Best,
Arisa
Hi Arisa
Thank you for your note. I hope that you found everything that you were looking for. If you have any questions, please let me know.
With regard to “answering every comment,” I take blogging seriously. I know that your time is precious. Therefore my goal is to make sure that every post offers significant value. In addition, if readers are nice enough to drop me a comment, the least I can do is take the time to reply 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
Thank you so much Frank, starting life all over once again I have learned much your blog is great.
Thanks.
Thanks Aaron. I’m glad you like it.
Have an awesome day!
Best,
Frank
I agree with your thoughts, but what happens when you feel you have lived purposefully, dedicated to your career, family and valued your “friends” only to find after 20 years someone comes in and destroys it?
Working through a program, great grown children support but small town and most only look out for themselves. I know I have. to make changes, I am afraid, broken.
Hi Andi
It’s really hard for me to comment on your situation without having more information. All I can say is that the world acts in mysterious ways. One day you’ll look back and say that everything happened for a reason. Have faith. I know this journey has been tough for you, but I truly believe that good people finish first.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
Hello Frank, it’s such an opportunity to meet such a great article concerning this one thing that humanity craves for. Here in Uganda, children, young people and adults needs this knowledge you’ve compiled for us. I work with children and young people in Kampala-Namuwongo Ghetto and I’ve been searching for this TOPIC on PURPOSE to share it with this audience and finally here I’m. Thank you Frank. May God bless you. Badru
Hi Badru
I’m so glad that my article is helpful to you. It’s interesting to see that subject matter such as “purpose” is universal. As you say, “this is the one thing that humanity craves for.” I wish you well.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
I am lost and i am not sure what to do with my life.
i have finished my year 12 and i do not have any clear purpose or path.
You are not lost, Hadi. You are young and have your whole life ahead of you. Be positive, be courageous, and be patient. It’ll all come together for you.
I wrote a piece that you may find interesting “Make Your Dreams Come True.”
Here’s the link for your convenience:
https://www.franksonnenbergonline.com/posters/make-your-dreams-come-true/
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
Hi Frank.
I LOVED YOUR BLOG JUST KEEP ON WRITING ABOUT THESE THINGS ,i mean life lessons.
I found it really helpful
Thankyou
I’ve done most of not all on the list and I still don’t feel like life is worth living. If it works for some people, then great. Honestly, I’m rapidly loosing hope.
Hi CJ
Have faith. Every positive step that you take will bring you one step closer to your goal. Happiness isn’t a destination, it’s a journey.
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
I found this at the right time! I was struggling to find purpose in my life and this truly helped me! Thank you for sharing!!
Dan
Thank YOU Dan. I’m glad you like it.
Thanks for taking the time to write 🙂
Best,
Frank
Frank,
I’m from India. I revisited my life to check where i made mistakes, what makes me worry about life and what makes me unhappy. After drilling down i came to know that I’m leading a life that has no any purpose. Then, i searched how to live life of purpose. I found your article. And it has cleared my doubts. I was floating and flowing in the winds of life. This article has helped me a lot.
Thank you very much
With love
Uday Shankar Bora
Assam, India
Thank you Uday. I’m glad you like it.
As I say, You may not have the control to lengthen your life, but you can do much to deepen it.”
Thanks for taking the time to write.
Best,
Frank
Hi Frank, Am from Kenya, you just helped me fix my attitude…. And I feel like I want to be the next Life coucher, leadership trainer and award winning author of several books, I need your mentorship sir. madzorehamad@gmail.com
Hi Hamadi
There are a lot of talented people who do personal coaching. Unfortunately, I’m not one of them.
I write a post that relates to character, values, and personal responsibility every Tuesday. Take a few moments each week and invest in your personal growth. I hope to see you back here again soon.
Best,
Frank
THANK YOU FRANK. SINCERELY D.TILLMAN🌻
Thank YOU Dorothy 🙂
Best,
Frank
Hello Frank.
I was at point in my life that i didn’t know what is it that i had to do. But after this article, i think i have a clear view of what to do next.
Thank you
Ken.
That’s wonderful, Ken. I’m so glad you like it.
Thanks for taking the time to write 🙂
Best,
Frank
I’m MANDELA from Rwanda I really used to live a life with no direction but after reading your articles helps me to fix the purpose of my life and to changer for good thank you a lot Frank!.
My pleasure Mandela. I’m so glad you find the article beneficial.
Thanks for taking the time to write 🙂
Best,
Frank