If you’ve ever asked yourself what your purpose in life is, you may have unwittingly given yourself a headache. It’s one of those life-impacting questions that requires quite a bit of self-introspection and understanding of oneself. It’s also a question that so many of us avoid because it seems unrealistic, or downright, impossible to get the right answer for ourselves.
As I’ve been navigating through my own career journey, I’ve stumbled upon it quite a few times. While I was able to successfully sidestep it for years, It came a point in my life and career when I could no longer avoid it. The more I was faced with a growing sense of restlessness and impatience in my work, the more I was compelled to look within. The more I looked within, the more it was obvious that I needed to get clearer about my purpose.
As I went along my career journey, here are 7 questions I asked myself throughout my journey to find and get more clear about my purpose:
What did you want to be when you grew up?
You know how as a kid, people will continually ask” What do you want to be when you grow up?” While this question makes many of us smile at the randomness of the answers we get from the mouths of babes, it actually may reveal more than we think. I came to understand that gifts, skills and talents are naturally placed in each and everyone of us, from the time we’re children. It’s those gifts and talents that usually are there to indicate a sense of purpose in our lives.
I’ve always loved to write. From an early age on, I would walk around with a notebook and pen in two, recording senseless stories about plants and insects. It’s a natural, God-given talent that has never left me, even decades later as I’ve switched paths to become a writer.
What You Should Do: Do you remember who you wanted to be when you grew up, even as a kid? Take a moment to do some self-introspection and go back to the careless days of your childhood. What did you answer to this question? Write it down in your journal and record those memories.
What can you do that others find hard to do?
Whatever it is that you can do with ease while others struggle at, is the sign of a natural skill and talent. Can you whip up a 700-word article in a half-hour, while it takes everyone else around you two days to finish? Does investing come easy to you, while your friends don’t get the very basics of stocks and mutual funds?
Your purpose is always linked to something that you can do with more ease than most people. It’s easy to overlook these talents and skills that we may have for the very reason that they’re so natural for us. However, they’re indicative of areas we are gifted in and can use to make an impact.
What You Should D0: Grab your journal and make a list of those areas, skills and talents which come easy and natural to you. These don’t have to be career-related. Anything that you’re good at should go on this list.
What do others seek your help in?
Are you the go-to-person your family, friends and colleagues come to when they need help with writing? Do people call you for investing, real estate or financial advice? Do your colleagues always come to you for graphic design advice?
One of the clear signs of your purpose is linked to those areas in which people seek your help and advice. Most times, others will recognize our purpose in us before we even do.
What You Should Do: Make an inventory of those things and areas you help people the most with. List them in the order of the frequency with which you help them most often.
What would you do even if you weren’t paid for it?
This is one of the best Litmus tests to identify your purpose. What could you spend most of your time doing, even if you weren’t getting paid for it? For me, it was always writing and reading. My husband could cook and provide investing advice all day, for free.
Those activities that you wouldn’t mind doing for free are those that are linked to your purpose. Make sure to carefully recognize throughout your professional and personal journey.
What You Should Do: Think back about what you do on weekends and during your free time. The activities, skills and talents you use during these times are most likely linked to your purpose.
How can you best help people?
Your purpose is first and foremost linked to helping people. By tapping into your specific talents and skills, and leveraging your abilities to the best, you can help people the most. If you’re wondering what your purpose, looking at ways in which you are best equipped to help people is a great indicator.
What You Should Do: Look back at instances when you were able to help people? What gifts and talents did you use? How did you manage to help them? How did you feel about helping them?
Who are your role models in life?
The people you admire and want to emulate the most are also associated with your purpose. There’s a reason why you’re such a big fan of Oprah or Lebron James. These people display qualities, abilities, and strengths that are also charasteric to you.
It’s not about imitating others’ lives and successes, but rather about using them as guides and role models towards your purpose.
What You Should Do: Make a list of those people who you consider to be your role models. What attracts you about them? What qualities and talents would you like to emulate?
How do you envision your life?
How do you see yourself living your ideal life? What would an ideal day, week, or year look like for you? Your purpose is meant to help you live your best, most fulfilling existence. However, it can only happen if you dare to dream big and imagine the life you were created to enjoy.
What You Should Do: Create a vision board on which you record images of what your ideal life would be. Take time to create the best vision and record it in your journal as well.
When you’re in college or even in school, no one really teaches you about finding your own career path. Not the one that pays more money, or that requires less years of study, or even seems to be the most comfortable to take…
When I decided to graduate in Accounting in college, it wasn’t the promise of cracking down numbers all day long that kept me going. Instead, it was what just about everyone else told me about it: “It’s a great field!”, or “You’ll make good money”, or better, “You’ll never lack of a job.” For all these reasons and the prospect of not having to live on Ramen noodles so I can buy more shoes, I did what any reasonable student would do.
What no one tells you about finding your career path is that it doesn’t have as much to do with how much money you can make. Or how much job stability you can get. Or even how many weeks of vacation you can score. It has to do with YOU! Surprised?
After all, it’s been proven that most people are financially satisfied after reaching the $75, 000 salary cap. So if money is not really the ultimate denominator of career satisfaction, and finding your own career path has little to do with making sure that you’re chained to a desk for the rest of your life, what is everyone not telling you?
Here are 6 things to stop doing in order to find the career you want that no one is telling you:
STOP ignoring yourself!
We tend to listen to everyone else but ourselves! Everyone’s opinion is not worthy of being listened to or even considered. What motivates others is different from what motivates you! Instead of heeding everyone’s advice and ignoring your own, start listening to yourself more!
What motivates you? What excites you? What sets your soul on fire? Those signals from your soul are not to be ignored. It doesn’t mean you have to ditch your 9-to-5 to start a career in pottery. What it means, however, is that you have to integrate these signals into your daily life, whether it’s in your work, as a side hustle, or just as a hobby.
STOP ignoring your personality!
Do you notice how every time you try to go against your personality and the way you truly are, you’re setting yourself up for disaster. Or at least for some serious disappointment and heartache along the way…
If you’re asking yourself how to figure out what really motivates you, and where your strengths, skills and interests lie, stop settling for the status quo and take action instead! Take a personality assessment to nail down those characteristics that set you apart.
There are a number of personality assessment tests, from the traditional Myers-Briggs test to other variation of it, to help you to identify your ideal careers and workplaces.
STOP thinking you can’t start over!
One of the biggest obstacles to finding the career we want, is the false belief that once we’re established or have started in a certain field, we must continue in it! Actually, many successful people have reached optimum success and performance by being willing to start at the bottom again…
A great way to figure out your ideal career is to start interning. An internship can teach you things about a job, field or industry that a formal or informal interview cannot. Even if you’re already working full-time, you may be able to secure a part-time internship to help you find out more about the right career for you!
It takes a village to build a successful career. This doesn’t only mean that you must have the support of your loved ones, family and friends. It also means that you must have the necessary career network to inspire and push you to succeed.
Look around you and identify someone in your desired career or field whom you admire. Ask them to be your mentor.
Seek sponsors in your current or desired environment, who can help open doors and bring about opportunities you couldn’t otherwise aspire to.
STOP failing to plan!
When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. As cliché as this may sound, it’s the truth. Not planning and mapping your career path, even in spite of the changes and detours can deter you from finding the career you want.
Map out your career plan in light of your strengths, skills, talents and desires. Whether it’s making a lateral move, expanding your network, or starting from the bottom, have a plan to get to your career destination.
STOP thinking of your career as a straight path!
Newsflash: your career is not a straight path! Actually, the straighter it may be, the more boring and un-challenging it may be for you! Instead of looking to turn your work into the most predictable and routine thing ever, don’t be afraid to face changes and challenges!
Dare to start over! Face the fear of starting a side hustle, creating a business, or even making a career transition to a brand new company or industry! Your career was never meant to be a straight path. The more detours you take, the richer, more compelling and more exciting your experience.
Welcome to our weekly career, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and fashion news roundup! Think of it as your online watercooler/work gossip station/coffee break spot for now…Want to add anything to our list? Email us at corporate@thecorporatesister.com!
Wondering which career is the best fit for you? These 30 personality assessments with help you find the career you want;
This article was written by a college student contributor to TCS.
The concept of going off to college and living in complete freedom is the most exciting step of adulthood. However, with newfound freedom comes expenses—a lot of expenses. I’ve always been very frugal with my money. Every expense should be justified and only completely necessary.
I wasn’t necessarily raised this way, but I became extremely cautious with my money once I started working and had to pay for most of my expenses. Now, I spend my money on rent, gas, and food Although I could ask my parents when I need to, I make every effort not to.
As a frugal college student, here are some ways I recommend to try and cut unnecessary expenses and save money in college:
Always use coupons!
Whether it is going to a movie or eating out, I always try to find online coupons that can reduce the cost of my purchases. Some of these sites include Groupon, StudentRate.com, or MySavings.com.
Eat for free on campus!
On campus, there are so many opportunities for free food, and most of the time, I don’t hesitate to take advantage of them. Doing so reduces my need to go out and buy food since I have no meal plan. I also learned how to cook, and I’m not living on Ramen noodles every day. I actually make decent omelets in the mornings (if I wake up early enough). Apps like Epicurious can also help you plan your meals better.
Use discount sites!
I also live in a house off campus which requires furniture, so I go on Craigslist or various garage sales nearby to buy used but in good quality furniture. Other discount sites for college students include TUN, UConnection, Also, I’m aware of a lot of places which offer student discounts, especially around my area. Most of the restaurants, fast food, and clothing boutiques give student discounts. A great site to consult for locations around your campus which might offer student discounts is AroundCampus.com. Keep in mind to ask around and always check if any student discounts are available before making any purchase.
Do things on your own!
The best way to save money is doing things on your own. I used to get my nails done often, but I learned to just do them on my own. I end up saving $30 a month this way. I also wash my own car instead of taking it to a car wash.
Find cheaper textbooks!
Purchasing college textbooks is the worst. The best way to go about is going to the online websites finding cheaper versions of the textbooks or finding the free pdf file. This way you are getting the information and still spending as less as possible. Also, ask about and use college Facebook groups to inquire about cheaper options or students who may be selling theirs at lower costs. Sites like CampusBooks.com or Chegg can help you shop for cheaper books,
All in all, college can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience—but you don’t have to spend so much money. Being cautious of your money and spending it in the right places can relieve you from a lot of stress, and it’ll be the best four years of your life.
This year, I attended my very first BlogHer conference in Orlando, after being encouraged to do so by my dear mentor Danyelle (check her out at The Cubicle Chick). The BlogHer conference is one of the biggest gatherings of content creators, social media influencers, and entrepreneurs in the US, garnering an attendance of over 2,000 women content creators every year who can connect in person and through apps like the Muses app. This incredible event also features female powerhouses in their own businesses, industries or sports. This year, I was honored to be in the same room as extraordinary women such as Serena Williams, Joy Ann Reid, Chelsea Clinton, Cecile Richards, Tai Beauchamp, Luvvie, and so many others…
As a newbie, experiencing a conference of this size in the presence of inspiring female role models, from the celebrity speakers to all the influential women in attendance, not to mention the supportive brands and sponsors, is almost surreal. Yet, it all comes down to one simple, very often overlooked fact: the power of being in the room!
There’s power about being in the same room as people who may have done the things you want to do, have the careers you want to emulate, or just speak to you in one way or another. Proximity brings in us a new level of renewed confidence and trust that if someone else could do it, so can we!
The conference started every morning with a short yet powerful meditation session filled with empowering quotes, led by amazing women such as CEO of the Still Going online meditation coaching service Starr Barbour. These meditation sessions were then followed by powerful keynotes, and various sessions with topics ranging from how to build a successful business, to SEO secrets and business tax tips.
Even more than the powerful tips shared during the conference, what impacted me, and I believe the majority of the attendees, was to be in the same room as successful career women and entrepreneurs. Here are 6 powerful lessons I learnt during three incredible days of #BlogHer17:
Do Not Fear Failure!
Serena Williams at the BlogHer17 conference
My most anticipated keynote was the one given by tennis champion Serena Williams, who walked on the stage as a proud mama-to-be, a living image of the strength and power of women everywhere! Her message, one of resilience, courage and championing other women, resonated with the entire audience! I mean, the woman won her 23rd grand slam while pregnant, and knows a thing or two about coming back from hardship to reach new heights!
“People have to make mistakes to become stronger” – Serena Williams
We need to fight for women’s health!
Chelsea Clinton at the BlogHer17 conference
Chelsea Clinton and Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood’s keynote was a crucial reminder of how endangered women’s health is nowadays. Legislations are being passed that are putting maternal care in danger, and it’s our responsibility, not just as women, but as human beings, to ensure that we participate in the electoral process.
Both Chelsea and Cecile reminded us that not only do we have the power, but we also have the responsibility, to reach out to our state and local representatives to ask for the changes we need. It’s important that we play our role to advocate for ourselves, for our mothers, sister and friends.
“Women are the resistance in this country.” Cecile Richards
“Everyone has a mother. Maternal care is in danger.” Chelsea Clinton
You should buy your time instead of selling yours!
Luvvie Ajayi at the BlogHer17 Conference
This was a powerful quote and lesson from author and blogger extraordinaire Luvvie Ajayi, author of the New-York best-seller “I’m Judging You” (read my review of “I’m Judging You”). First of all, can I tell you about Luvvie being on stage! Hers was a hilarious keynote address that had the audience in stitches. Yet she was dropping all kinds of business and life truth bombs on us…
As a blogger who is now a successful author, Luvvie shared her story of becoming a full-time entrepreneur, writing a best-selling book, and running a thriving business. Out of it, she extracted impactful nuggets of wisdom for entrepreneurs and career women alike, such as the need to outsource our lives, and to buy time back so we can out more money in our pockets!
“You do not have the same 24 hours as Beyonce.” Luvvie Ajayi
Fill a void in the market!
Tai Beauchamp at the BlogHer17 Conference
Let me first preface this by saying I’m a huge fan of Tai Beauchamp! She’s a veteran journalist, entrepreneur and media personality, as well as the founder of TheTaiLife.com. She led the Passion to Profit panel on the first evening at BlogHer17, featuring social media influencer and ex-surfer and model Anastasia Ashley and style blogger turned swimwear designer Gabi Gregg.
The conversation was chock-full with tips to build and scale a business from scratch, basically! It was a powerful session for bloggers, influencers, and pretty much any entrepreneur looking to grow their business. My biggest take-away from it came from the talented Tai Beauchamp, and was around identifying a gap to fill in the market and positioning yourself accordingly.
“Ask yourself if there’s a void in the market!” – Tai Beauchamp
Use social media to disseminate the right information!
Joy Ann Reid, Ana Navarro and John Avlon at the BlogHer17 Conference
Another one of my sheroes also spoke at the conference. MSNBC’s own Joy Ann Reid shared the stage with political commentator Ana Navarro, and Editor-in-chief of the Daily Beast John Avlon, to discuss the current political scene.
My biggest take-away here came from Joy, as she emphasized the importance of the role of social media in politics, and how we can participate through this medium.
“I think social media has been great…to be able to disseminate information quickly.” Joy Ann Reid
Dare to Pitch Yourself!
Last but not least, one of the most powerful lessons I got from the BlogHer conference this year can be summarized in four words: “Dare to Pitch Yourself!”
There were many brands, from Olay to Best Buy and LG, that were in attendance, and were looking to connect with influencers like myself. Being there allowed me to really dare to introduce myself, share my message and pitch my brand. If you think about, those are three things we’re called to do constantly in our careers and businesses.
Checking out the LG vendor booth at BlogHer17 conference
It was also interesting to attend and vote in the Pitch Competition that took place later during the conference. How impactful to witness brilliant female entrepreneurs defend their business ideas and pitch them to the audience ! My personal favorites were Esosa Ighodaro’s money-making app CoSign, and Spotlight Girls Camps creator Lynn Johnson (Lynn Johnson ended up winning the Pitch competition).
Esosa Adeghboro, CoSIgn app creator presenting at the BlogHer17 Pitch Competition
Lynn Johnson on her video pitch for the BlogHer17 Pitch Competition
I also had the pleasure to be interviewed by ForbesBooks Radio, and share my message about working women on their podcast (I will share it in a couple of weeks when it comes).
My interview with ForbesBooks Radio
As a recap:
Do Not Fear Failure!
We need to fight for women’s health!
You should buy your time instead of selling yours!
Fill a void in the market!
Use social media to disseminate the right information!
Dare to Pitch Yourself!
Overall the BlogHer conference was an amazing experience, which taught me invaluable lessons to implement in my life and business. Can’t wait for next year!
