For nearly a decade my work has been fulfilling and self-motivating. I felt like I was doing what I was born to do and I never felt like a slave to a job.  Because of that, many friends, employed with great jobs but struggling through disinterest in their current careers, wanted to know how I managed to discover and then actually do what it is I was born to do.  The answer is; I was lucky, I was at the right place at the right time, and I was prepared to step into the role when the opportunity presented itself to me. I had some extra help.  Almost 25 years ago I created a Bare Bones Reason I Was Born Statement that guided me toward accepting challenges and opportunities along the way that would add to my ability to one day do what I was born to do.

                If you want to redirect your life’s direction, and hone in on what you feel you were born to do, so that every day at work feels fulfilling and self-motivating, you might want to create your own Bare Bones Statement. It’s helpful because before we can begin taking steps to make things happen and fulfill our purpose, we’ve got to decide which direction to turn toward.  Clarity of purpose comes to us when we define exactly what it is we were born to do.

                Without getting to the basic, essential definition, what I call the Bare Bones Reason I Was Born Statement, you may not feel grounded in your authenticity.  You may have so many great suggestions for what to do with your life that you don’t know where to start or you don’t stick to just one idea.  You may feel pulled in opposite directions.  You may decide to make “no decision” simply because you just don’t have a good framework for making the right decision.  But you can’t pursue your life’s work until you stand up and firmly decide which direction to turn and that’s what the Bare Bones Statement does;  it helps us determine the correct direction to face before we start walking toward our greatness.

                Roman philosopher, Lucius Annaeus Seneca said, “You must know for which harbor you are headed if you are to catch the right wind to take you there.”  Try completing the following activity that helps us discover just which way we should adjust our sails, and what direction we should turn toward before we start taking the six steps to discovering, defining and doing what we were born to do.

                First, list at least ten positive qualities about yourself. (For example; kind, caring, artistic, nurturing, energetic, creative, honest, or exuberant.) If you’re stumped, ask for ideas from supportive and positive friends and family-members. Take some time and give it some good thought.

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                Next, again, take some time and give it some thought, and list ten positive actions that you like to do or be. (For example: teacher, leader, giver, friend, baker, warrior, problem-solver, dancer, listener, activist or athlete.) If you find this challenging be sure to ask friends and family members for ideas.  (By the way, just because they give you an idea, it doesn’t mean that you have to write it down. List ideas that resonate with you.)

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                Now, take some time, sit, and think about it, and settle on your number one, very best, most you, positive quality and positive action.  The bare bones version, the very heart of your purpose in life, centers on the two words you select. Now, insert them into the following sentence to create your Bare Bones Reason I Was Born Statement:

I was born to be a/an (Insert Positive Quality)______________(Insert Positive Action)______________.

                Your Bare Bones Statement will look something like this: I was born to be an enthusiastic teacher,  or, I was born to be a creative baker, a dedicated environmentalist, a caring vegetarian. I was born to be a dedicated listener, an ethical politician, a compassionate leader, or, an honest activist. Do you get it now?  Your two words give you a basic description of what you are meant to be or do.  It helps you fine-tune your purpose.  Write down your bare bones statement and commit it to memory.  Keep the statement in mind.  Write it on sticky notes and leave them all over the place; on the bathroom mirror, on the side of your computer monitor, in your wallet… It’s important; the Bare Bones Reason I was Born Statement will be your guide for doing what you were born to do.

                Don’t panic if you don’t like the statement.  I didn’t like my statement at first.  I was unhappy with the initial result; “I was born to be an enthusiastic teacher.”  All I could think was, “Yuck, I don’t want to be a school teacher – I don’t even like little kids.” The thought of going to school and getting a teaching degree simply terrified me.  It didn’t sound the least bit  interesting, fulfilling or possible for me. But as I continued through the process, and began to clearly define my purpose another avenue opened up to me. I became a motivational speaker. Now, that’s another way to describe an enthusiastic teacher, isn’t it?

                Philosopher and American author Henry David Thoreau said, “The greatest tragedy in life is to spend your whole life fishing only to discover it was not fish you were after.”   Your Bare Bones statement helps you focus on your deepest sense of fulfillment so that you don’t waste your time fishing. (No intent to offend those of you who enjoy fishing;  I mean this figuratively.) 

                Our greatest happiness and fulfillment comes to us when we discover and do what we were born to do. Your Bare Bones Statement helps you stand up and decide which direction to turn toward.  It doesn’t, however, prepare you to start moving.  That’s what comes next; The Six Steps to Discovering, Defining and Doing What You Were Born To Do. And that’s what my book is about.

Leave a comment and tell me your Bare Bones Reason I Was Born Statement!