Find Your Life Formula

Written by Michelle Shelton

June 27, 2023

Life can be challenging. So many unknowns, inevitable ups and downs, decisions to be made, careers, school paths, relationships to navigate, conflict, illness, loss. How do you navigate through it all? Do you ever wonder if you’re doing it “right”?

Sometimes we navigate based on what others are doing. Maybe it looks on the outside like they’ve got something good going on, maybe they have figured it out. Their secret sauce seems to be working, maybe we should try it, too. 

It is true, it is always good to learn from others. Maybe they have figured something out that we can learn from. The problem comes when we look so external that we lose connection with our own inner map, our own secret sauce, our own formula to life. 

Your secret sauce, your formula to navigate the uncertainties of life, can be discovered by considering your values, your strengths, and your purpose. 

Values

Values are what matter most to you. They determine how you interpret the world around you, what you define as good or bad. They influence how you think and feel and how you respond to different situations. They help prioritize your attention and your energy. They determine what you say no to and what you say yes to, how you set your boundaries. 

Consider your values with these questions: 

1. Think of the most meaningful moments in your life. What made them meaningful to you?

2. When do you feel the most satisfied?

3. What stories inspire you? Why?

4. What makes you angry?

5. What does your ideal world look like?

6. What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Strengths

Everyone has a super power that the world needs. Maybe yours is bringing excitement and energy to a situation. Maybe it is bringing calm and serenity. Maybe you bring inspiration. Maybe you bring order and structure. Maybe you speak well. Maybe you listen well. Whatever it is, it is yours and the world needs it. 

Use these questions to identify your strengths:

1. What comes easily to you?

2. What types of things do other people ask you for advice on?

3. What are the themes of past positive feedback?

4. What types of tasks do you naturally gravitate to?

5. When do you experience flow? What are you doing?

Purpose

Your purpose is how you use your values, your strengths, and your passion to improve the world. It is the application of the best parts of ourselves to serve the people around us. It is a place of deep vulnerability, but also the only way to feel the deepest fulfillment. Purpose comes from your heart. Living from purpose energizes and nourishes you even as it blesses the lives of those around you. 

To find your purpose, consider:

1. How and when have you used your strengths to change other people's lives?

2. When you are helping other people, what brings you energy? What moves you?

3. How have you used your strengths to uplift other people spiritually, emotionally, or physically? 

Living a value driven life, leading from our strengths, and fulfilling our purpose drives the deepest connection between our best selves and the world around us. It is the key to your secret sauce, your personal map to navigate a life to bring the deepest fulfillment, meaning, and joy.