Ever found yourself asking, “What am I really meant to do?”
Same.
At its core, that question is about purpose, and you’re trying to find yours.
But as it turns out, it’s easy to find your purpose when you recognize one simple truth.
And that is:
You are most powerfully positioned to serve the person you once were.
The Shortcut to Purpose That Most People Overlook
Every painful chapter in your life…
Every setback…
Every “why me?” moment…
These aren’t signs that the universe hates you.
These are events that are shaping you, preparing you, molding you into the kind of person who can turn around and help someone else through that exact same struggle.
When you understand that, your pain suddenly has purpose.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What challenges have I conquered?
- What setbacks have I survived?
- What obstacles have I overcome?
- What tragedies have I triumphed over?
Your answers to those questions point directly toward your purpose.
Start With Who, Not Why
I’m a huge Simon Sinek fan.
I love Start with Why.
But when it comes to discovering your personal purpose, I’ve learned that sometimes you shouldn’t start with WHY.
You should start with WHO.
For most of us, our “why” is a “who.”
The reason you push yourself to grow/lead/give is your kids.
Or your parents. Or your community.
Or your team.
Because people give life meaning and service gives pain purpose.
Once you understand that, you start to see that service is your superpower.
What To Do If You Feel Like Quitting
I’ll never forget July 26th, my 19th birthday.
I was selling door-to-door and it had been raining all morning.
Not one person had opened their door.
Finally, a high school kid answered and sneered, “This is your summer job? Why don’t you get a real one, loser?”
Ouch.
Then, just moments later, I crashed my bike into a ditch, flipped over the handlebars, and landed face-first in someone’s yard.
I was covered in mud and fire ants.
As I scrambled to my feet, the homeowner came outside yelling, convinced I was trying to steal something.
It was one of those “everything that could go wrong did go wrong” days.
I was so ready to quit.
But then a phrase popped into my head.
It was a phrase that a friend had told me once:
“There is no fear when the mission to serve is clear.”
That line carried me through that summer and five more after it.
I realized that as long as I was focused on me (on my success, my money, my recognition) fear and frustration ruled.
But when I focused on serving others, the fear disappeared.
That’s the magic.
Service removes fear.
It transforms pain into purpose.
It turns ordinary moments into opportunities for impact.
Finding Your Purpose Starts With Serving Your Past Self
If you’re searching for direction, don’t look further ahead.
Look backward.
Think of the person you used to be, the struggles you’ve endured, the lessons you’ve learned.
Somewhere in that story lies the person you’re meant to serve.
And when you start serving them, when your mission to serve becomes clear — your purpose will, too.
At Brand Builders Group, we help people uncover their unique calling and build a message that serves the world, starting with the person they once were.
If you’re ready to explore what that could look like for you, schedule a Free Brand Call and let’s discover it together.
