Intentionally searching for your potential, seeking to unlock it, and then developing it, will lead you towards your purpose. Seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking. Do not lose heart because the search for your potential will lead to the discovery of your natural gifts, and therein lies your purpose, that most precious commodity, the very reason for your existence.
Let me hasten to add that there is no formula. If there were, we would all be operating from that sweet spot and the world would be a much better place, with far fewer grumpy people.

Although finding your worldly purpose is the objective, it remains shrouded in mystery during the search. So, you don’t really know what it is exactly that you are hoping to find, which makes the search, umm interesting. Do not fret, because although the purpose is the destination, it cannot be discovered without the journey to get there. And the secret is in the journey. This is where you discover things about yourself that you could only discover through honest introspection and evaluated reflection. The journey is adventurous and will require courage, tenacity, endurance, humility, and acceptance. These are the requirements for leadership as well as a fulfilled life. These requirements are well worth the effort and the search, since the rewards are exceptional.

Purpose is not the same as calling. While your purpose is your divine identity and could be called your ‘why’, your calling is the vehicle or chosen activity to get there and could be called your ‘how’. Callings include most career paths and professions and adapt and change over time. Some people write books, some create items on a lathe, while others have careers in nursing, parenting or in ministry. I love the story of a visitor to the NASA space centre who meets the janitor on the ground floor and asks him what his role is. “I help put men into space” he replied. He had a clear understanding of what his purpose was, and he was using his job to help a greater cause. Remember that your purpose is meant to benefit others.

Where do we start on the journey of discovery? It starts with the decision and belief that the effort, and sometimes the pain, will be justified and will bear much reward in terms of joy, peace, contentment, a sense of achievement and accomplishment, and so much more. It starts with the understanding that you may face some demons which will need to be confronted. You will face some fears, some truths, and some realisations that will require changes in attitude, habits and behaviour. The search may rattle and even disprove some deep, ingrained, and cherished beliefs often passed down the generations. You may discover some ‘holy cows’ which are not so holy. All of this requires inner strength. Are you strong enough?

In my life, I have had the privilege (in retrospect) to live through a furnace, as well as several fires, not least completing a brutal treatment to cure stage four cancer. My other articles describe the lessons learned from one poor business decision which impacted my career for many years, as well some brief descriptions of the cancer treatment. Those were fires on either side of what I believe was my furnace. I did not plan the furnace, and I would not like to experience another.

A furnace is a place of deep distress and great upheaval which purifies and reshapes many areas of our lives. It is a place where many questions are asked and answered. It is a place where no human comfort can reach you. It is a place from which there is no escape and which must be endured for the duration. It is a place where profound reflection and introspection take place. It is a place where the only comfort is in the spiritual realm. The furnace served a great purpose in my life. It destroyed several myths I treasured about myself; it repositioned many priorities and, unbeknown to me, built a new inner strength founded on unshakable faith and hope for the future. I am grateful for it because the experience has provided a greater depth of understanding which I can call on in my coaching practice. I call it ‘leveraging on my past’.
Please be on the lookout for a future article on the difference between a furnace and a fire.
You do not need a furnace to discover your purpose. My furnace experience was part of my journey. Your journey to find your purpose will be different. So, do not be shaken. You have what it takes.

Discovering your purpose, while incredibly rewarding, comes with some responsibilities. It would be inconceivable to find this treasure and having found it, to leave it unutilised. The situation demands action. Once again, the journey of discovery will likely uncover many creative ways to put your purpose to fruitful use, and it would be crime against humanity, your community, your family, and yourself to leave this precious discovery, so full of promise and resources, untapped.

It is my understanding that neither the furnace experience nor the discovery of purpose occurs in life without sufficient time to be fruit bearing. Even a terminal diagnosis allows time to find peace, to forgive, to ask for forgiveness, to make meaningful contact with old friends, and to reposition your spiritual life. Finding your purpose is not only for your own exclusive use; it is meant to be for the benefit of others too. This is why you have been given time. What you have discovered is so rare that only you have this unique combination of gifts and talents. Nobody else has them and they have some specific uses which only you know how to utilise. Your journey will have unearthed many wonderful and fulfilling options. You are on the edge of a beautiful season, perhaps the most rewarding one.

Step out, you have what it takes.

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